Parliamentary Bar Mess
The Parliamentary Bar Mess was founded in 1905, its membership comprising 'gentlemen practising at the Parliamentary Bar.' Sir Ralph Littler C.B. K.C. was the first Leader of the Mess and G.A.R Fitzgerald Esq. the first Treasurer. Meetings of the Mess were held in the Guildhall at Westminster. The objects of the Mess were and still remain, to create a formal association and common fellowship for those barristers practising at the Parliamentary Bar and to provide guidance on conduct and procedure in this specialist field.
Today the Parliamentary Bar Mess is an association of barristers who, as part of their practice at the Bar, specialise in the conduct of private and hybrid bill proceedings before Select Committees of both Houses of Parliament. Members are instructed normally (but not exclusively) by Parliamentary Agents either to act on behalf of the promoter of a bill or on behalf of petitioners against it. Recent examples of such legislation include the Croydon Tramlink Bill and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill. With the advent of the Transport and Works Act 1992 Members of the Mess also act on behalf of promoters of transport infrastructure projects and objectors to such projects which are subject to inquiry under the Act.
The Mess is run by a committee comprising eight members chaired by the Leader of the Parliamentary Bar Mess, Robin Purchas QC. Membership is by election and is maintained to ensure that the Mess is representative of expertise available in the promotion of major private and public/private infrastructure projects including railways, port and harbour development and urban transport systems.
For further information please contact:
Leader: Robin Purchas QC
2 Harcourt Buildings
Temple
London EC4Y 9DB
Tel: 020 7353 8415
Fax: 020 7353 7622
Treasurer: Timothy Comyn
Francis Taylor Building
Inner Temple
London EC4Y 7BY
