Brexit working group
12 July 2016
The Chairman of the Bar, Chantal-Aimee Doerries QC, has invited
Hugh Mercer QC to chair a Bar Council working group to consider the
ramifications for profession of Brexit.
The Brexit working group's first step will be to host an open
forum for barristers to raise topics and issues which they would
like to consider. Thereafter it will review the consequences of
Brexit for the profession as a whole, for certain practice areas,
for chambers and entities and for the justice system more
broadly.
Chairman of the Bar, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, said:
"Barristers practising in other EU countries may well be wondering
what the future holds.
"It is fair to say that Brexit has created a great deal of
uncertainty, but one thing we can be sure of is London's position
as the transaction and dispute resolution centre of Europe. The
Bar, the judiciary, our world class commercial court infrastructure
and our system of common law all contribute to making the UK an
attractive destination for business and investment. The UK is the
jurisdiction of choice for parties from all over the world.
"Top of the working group's agenda is securing free movement for
lawyers within Europe and other jurisdictions where barristers have
benefitted from European trade agreements. This will allow legal
professionals throughout the EU to continue providing the advice
and legal representation that is vital to their clients business
and economic interests, and to stability and growth across a range
of sectors."
The working group's focus will be on evaluating the implications
of Brexit and producing guidance for the profession. Its remit does
not include seeking to influence the Government's decision to leave
or remain in the European Union, on which the Bar Council
maintained, and continues to maintain, a politically neutral
position.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
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Further information is available from the Bar Council Press
Office on 020 7222 2525 and Press@BarCouncil.org.uk.
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The Bar Council represents barristers in England and Wales. It
promotes:
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The Bar's high quality specialist advocacy and advisory
services
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Fair access to justice for all
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The highest standards of ethics, equality and diversity across
the profession, and
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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