Barristers’ Strike Action Ends

Following a ballot of its membership, the Criminal Bar Association announced earlier this morning that the deal negotiated by  it, on behalf of the Criminal Bar,  has been accepted. The strike action that has been ongoing will cease today.

We want to thank you for the absolute support and understanding we have received through what has been a testing time for all.  We fully understand that the action has not just impacted upon counsel but also  upon our valued instructing solicitors, and  most importantly,  upon our mutual clients. 

Throughout negotiations the CBA has fought for the Bar but has at the same time done its upmost to support solicitors’ concerns arising from the original package offered by the Government. Whilst achieving the backdating of rate increases is certainly of value, the most important concession gained is agreement that the independent advisory board now to be established will focus on the structure and operation of all legal aid fee schemes and upon which solicitors and the Law Society will be represented alongside the Bar. This was not included in the government’s original proposals and there is real reason to believe this will move us all away from a position where all governments can simply leave legal aid rates untouched year on year, or indeed actually reduce them . As with all pay review bodies any recommendations are advisory only, but that said it can be seen that all governments invariably follow such recommendations and can be challenged if they do not . We really do think this will be a game-changer.

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Witness Familiarisation Support And Courses

These are a few examples of courses in which our members have been involved:

  • Witness familiarisation with trainee police officers and special constables from Northamptonshire Police, where the officers were questioned regarding their statements about ‘mock’ arrest exercises
  • Similar exercises with detectives from the West Midlands Police
  • Witness familiarisation with officers of the Northamptonshire Probation Service.  These officers were given training on the process of giving evidence in sentencing hearings in the Magistrates Court and Crown Court
  • Expert witness familiarisation and training, with expert witnesses such as independent Forensic Scientists, and officers of the Health and Safety Executive. The exercises involved questioning regarding expert reports prepared by the participants

Equal Opportunity Policy

 

Citadel’s members come from a range of backgrounds and everyone is treated with the same respect as part of our Chamber’s community. 

 

We operate an equal opportunity policy and act in accordance with the Bar Code of Conduct and the Equality Code for the Bar.

 

We seek to prevent direct or indirect discrimination towards our clients, staff, tenants and pupils, on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality or citizenship, political persuasion, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or age.

Maternity / Paternity Policy

We support all members  who  are fortunate enough to become parents.   Whilst Citadel has written policies dealing with issues of maternity and paternity leave for members of Chambers and support staff, we also try to be flexible in our approach and to accommodate individual needs.

Uniquely (to our knowledge) we offer direct financial support to members returning from parental leave in order to cushion the cash flow impact of return to practice . 

Click here to listen to a podcast about our members with children and how we deal with childcare issues.