Chairman of the Bar

Timothy Dutton QC

Timothy Dutton QC was born in 1957 and was called to the Bar in 1979. He took silk in 1998.

He practices in General Commercial, Public, Regulatory and Administrative Law, Professional Negligence and Disciplinaray including sports.

In his inaugural speech, Timothy Dutton said:

“My job is to promote the Bar and our system not just at home but internationally. All of us are operating in an international market with English law as an attractive option in commercial disputes. In criminal law there is an increasingly international aspect to the work, and in family also. I intend to promote the values and skills of the Bar as advocates, arbitrators and mediators abroad.”

With regard to the Legal Services Act 2007, Timothy Dutton said:

“I have little doubt, as it becomes possible for advocates to choose by whom they are regulated, that the Bar Council (with the BSB functioning independently in the decisions it makes under Section 29 of the Legal Services Act 2007) will become the preferred regulator of barristers and many senior solicitor advocates. We have a history of skilled regulation of advocacy through regulating the Bar. That regulation has enjoyed public confidence and has received repeated praise from the Ombudsman. We are cheaper than the Solicitors Regulation Authority – by a massive degree. Our voice is strongly heard and respected in Parliament, the press and wider public. Why go elsewhere?”

Timothy Dutton also said:

“British Justice is still held in high regard around the world. That is why we must oppose any lowering of standards by those involved in the system - solicitors, barristers, judges, police, CPS, other agencies. We must also resist any attacks on or lack of investment in the system. The public will only know that something has gone wrong long after mistakes are made.”

Speaking of his aims for 2008, Timothy Dutton said:

One of my principal aims for the year is to strengthen the bonds that bind us together as a profession. We are a profession of 11,500 self employed and 3,500 employed barristers. When I was called, we numbered in total about 5,000. The solicitors’ profession has increased by similar proportions up from about 45,000 with practising certificates when I started, to about 120,000 with them now. There is a clear need within our society for the expert help, which lawyers and barristers in particular can offer.”