Law and Rights
There is a serious question of whether the independent criminal bar will survive a series of government initiatives which may be summed up in this equation:
QaSa + (oCOF x BvT) = BOGOF
where QASA = Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates
oCOF = One case, one fee
BvT = Best Value Tendering
BOGOF = .... well, I'm sure that the reader is well able to work that one out !!
The logic of the equation is that it will not be financially worthwhile for lawyers to pursue a career in criminal law. Eventually, individuals charged with serious offences will be lucky to receive any form of professional advocacy.
Posts on the Criminal Bar Association website are:
A Shocking Lack of Understanding of the Justice System is Driving Dangerous Cuts - a Guest Post From Karl Turner MP - 8th March 2013
Twelve things you always wanted to know about QASA, OCOF and BVT but were afraid to ask - Ian West - 10th March 2013
Attorney General, and Head of the Bar of England and Wales says Barristers are ?Foolish? to resist QASA.- 14th March 2013
Start the bilge pumps or abandon ship: is there a future at the Criminal Bar for those just starting out? - James Jackson, third-six pupil barrister - 15th March 2013.
QASA ? Baroness Ruth deech, Chair of the Bar Standards Board, attacks criminal bar stance on QASA ? Better the devil you know And the bar hits back - The 'noisy minority' of barristers opposed to QASA hit back at BSB claims
Sixteen FACTS about QASA - Legal Half Hour blog
Please read these posts - this is a crucially important topic.
See also Worrying Trends No. 5
- It's Been Quite A Week .... A Sunday Roundup
It's been quite a week. Reaction to Gove: The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor (Rt Hon Michael Gove MP) spoke to the Legatum Institute and, in carefully chosen words and flowing phrases, stuck the boot into the manifold...
- Public Defenders ~ Qasa ~ And Other Matters
Public Defenders: A little more on the developing Public Defender Service. It looks like the PDS is being expanded by the government in order to challenge the independent Bar which has been active in opposing planned cuts to criminal...
- Tuesday Roundup
Black HolesHere is my roundup of legal news at a time when the political world is circling toward an 'event horizon' in relation to Syria.* The future of legal aid, judicial review and the legal profession are other topics which seem to...
- Pre-easter Roundup Of Legal News - (1)
Sir Sydney Kentridge QCThere is a massive amount of legal activity at the present time. Here is a roundup of some it. 1. The highly controversial Justice and Security Bill has cleared the House of Lords. All that remains is for the Bill to...
- Quality Assurance For Advocates: Snakes And Ladders
In 2006, Lord Carter issued his report- "Legal Aid - A market-based approach to reform." One of Carter's recommendations concerned "Quality Assurance" of advocacy. At para. 27 he said - "It is essential that clients have...
Law and Rights
QaSa + (oCOF x BvT) = BOGOF
There is a serious question of whether the independent criminal bar will survive a series of government initiatives which may be summed up in this equation:
QaSa + (oCOF x BvT) = BOGOF
where QASA = Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates
oCOF = One case, one fee
BvT = Best Value Tendering
BOGOF = .... well, I'm sure that the reader is well able to work that one out !!
The logic of the equation is that it will not be financially worthwhile for lawyers to pursue a career in criminal law. Eventually, individuals charged with serious offences will be lucky to receive any form of professional advocacy.
Posts on the Criminal Bar Association website are:
A Shocking Lack of Understanding of the Justice System is Driving Dangerous Cuts - a Guest Post From Karl Turner MP - 8th March 2013
Twelve things you always wanted to know about QASA, OCOF and BVT but were afraid to ask - Ian West - 10th March 2013
Attorney General, and Head of the Bar of England and Wales says Barristers are ?Foolish? to resist QASA.- 14th March 2013
Start the bilge pumps or abandon ship: is there a future at the Criminal Bar for those just starting out? - James Jackson, third-six pupil barrister - 15th March 2013.
QASA ? Baroness Ruth deech, Chair of the Bar Standards Board, attacks criminal bar stance on QASA ? Better the devil you know And the bar hits back - The 'noisy minority' of barristers opposed to QASA hit back at BSB claims
Sixteen FACTS about QASA - Legal Half Hour blog
Please read these posts - this is a crucially important topic.
See also Worrying Trends No. 5
- It's Been Quite A Week .... A Sunday Roundup
It's been quite a week. Reaction to Gove: The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor (Rt Hon Michael Gove MP) spoke to the Legatum Institute and, in carefully chosen words and flowing phrases, stuck the boot into the manifold...
- Public Defenders ~ Qasa ~ And Other Matters
Public Defenders: A little more on the developing Public Defender Service. It looks like the PDS is being expanded by the government in order to challenge the independent Bar which has been active in opposing planned cuts to criminal...
- Tuesday Roundup
Black HolesHere is my roundup of legal news at a time when the political world is circling toward an 'event horizon' in relation to Syria.* The future of legal aid, judicial review and the legal profession are other topics which seem to...
- Pre-easter Roundup Of Legal News - (1)
Sir Sydney Kentridge QCThere is a massive amount of legal activity at the present time. Here is a roundup of some it. 1. The highly controversial Justice and Security Bill has cleared the House of Lords. All that remains is for the Bill to...
- Quality Assurance For Advocates: Snakes And Ladders
In 2006, Lord Carter issued his report- "Legal Aid - A market-based approach to reform." One of Carter's recommendations concerned "Quality Assurance" of advocacy. At para. 27 he said - "It is essential that clients have...