Advocacy in the Spotlight as London Hosts World Bar Conference

29 June 2012

The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, in partnership with Inner Temple, will from today host the annual World Bar Conference in London, which will see 350 delegates from numerous jurisdictions descend on the city to discuss topics around the theme "Advocacy past, present and future: constant values for a modern Bar."

Highlights of the conference programme include an opening address by the Chairman of the Bar Council, Michael Todd QC; the keynote address by the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Judge; and workshops on a number of topics, including advocacy against the odds, chaired by Sir Sydney Kentridge QC, and advocacy at public enquiries, chaired by the Rt Hon Lady Justice Hallett.

In his opening address to the Conference, Michael Todd QC will say:

"The independence of the judiciary from Ministers and of Government, from vested interests of any kind, from public and parliamentary opinion, from the media, from political parties and from pressure groups, is fundamental to the Rule of Law. That is to say, Judges must be independent of anybody or anything which might lead them to decide issues coming before them on anything other than the legal and factual merits of the case.

"[…] actions by Government may have a very real effect on external perceptions of our justice system and of the independence of our judiciary. Only recently eyebrows have been raised: first, at our Home Secretary's suggestion of guidelines being issued in relation to deportation cases, no doubt to assist our judiciary in balancing the relevant factors when considering Article 8 of the Convention; and second, at the need and scope for "secret trials".

"The Rule of Law cannot survive, let alone thrive, if the judiciary, the judicial decision- making process, or the decisions themselves are undermined. The same is true in relation to the advocate.

"[…] This building, the Rolls Building, and the Government's investment in it, recognise the importance attached by this Government to investment in our legal system. Other actions of Government, perhaps, do not speak so loudly. And where they do not, it is for us, the advocates, to speak out and to make our voices heard."

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. Further information is available from the Bar Council Press Office on 020 7222 2525.

2. Michael Todd QC's full speech can be accessed here.

3. The World Bar Conference, which is organised bi-annually by the International Council of Advocates and Barristers, will take place from Friday 29 June until Sunday 1 July in various locations around London, including the Rolls Building, the Supreme Court, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Inner Temple and Middle Temple. For more information, please click here.

4. The conference will be chaired by Stephen Hockman QC. The full programme can be found here.

5. The Bar Council is involved in the Unlocking Disputes campaign, which seeks to promote London as the world's leading centre for dispute resolution. For more information, please visit www.unlockingdisputes.com

6. The Bar Council represents barristers in England and Wales. It promotes:

• The Bar's high quality specialist advocacy and advisory services
• Fair access to justice for all
• The highest standards of ethics, equality and diversity across the profession, and
• The development of business opportunities for barristers at home and abroad.

The General Council of the Bar is the Approved Regulator of the Bar of England and Wales. It discharges its regulatory functions through the independent Bar Standards Board.