Bar MessesThe South Eastern Circuit comprises a number of areas, each with its own local Bar Mess. The local Bar Mess does not simply exist to hold annual cocktail parties and the occasional dinner, although these are an enjoyable aspect of them. The Chairmen of the Messes, members of the committee and the Juniors who represent the Bar Mess at each Court deal with a considerable number of matters which affect the interests of the Bar.
The Bar Mess maintains representation on Court User Committees and Area Criminal Justice Liaison Committees in order to ensure that the interests of the Bar are represented in decisions that are made about such matters as accommodation, phone facilities, catering at courts (a continual bugbear), listing, practice directions and the availability of Pre Sentence Reports. There are complaints/suggestions books or boxes at most Courts and the Chairman or the Juniors of each Mess can be contacted directly about any matter of concern. Representatives of the Bar Mess liase regularly with the Resident Judges, for example about the implementation of new practices relating to Plea and Case Management Hearings, and seek to protect members of the Bar against such sanctions as wasted costs orders.
If there are problems with graduated fees relating to the exclusion of a justified part of the claim, problems which clerks have been unable to resolve may be passed to the Junior of the relevant Court in order to make representations to the Chief Clerk of the Court concerned. The Chairman of the Bar Mess is consulted by the Lord Chancellor's Department about the appointment of Queen's Counsel and of Recorders, by the Crown Prosecution Service about the appointment of Treasury Counsel, and by other bodies which have lists of approved Counsel. All of this is being carried out, week in, week out, by those who give up their time to make sure that the Bar is properly represented in such matters.
In addition, the Bar is now facing the most fundamental reforms to its working practices. As these reforms are implemented they will have far reaching effects on the work and income of the Bar. The Bar, through the Bar Council and the Circuits, and of which the Bar Messes are part, have been and are making representations about these far-reaching proposals. However, such representations are only seen to be credible if they are supported by a substantial proportion of the Bar, showing their support by membership of organisations such as the Bar Mess. It is therefore now more important than ever to join.
It is in addition to all these matters that the Bar Mess arranges cocktail parties (heavily subsidised by the Bar Mess) and dinners, and in some cases provides the daily newspapers at Court. These more enjoyable aspects of the Bar Mess can only continue if there are sufficient members to support them. Without such support they cannot continue.
If you wish to join a Bar Mess simply click on the list of Messes below. The cost is minimal, and tax deductable!
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