Civil Practitioners

There is a common misconception that the South Eastern Circuit Bar Mess and the Bar Messes within it exist to serve the interests of criminal practitioners. They do, but they also serve with equal dedication and commitment the interests and concerns of the Civil Bar and of course the wider issues applicable to the Bar as a whole.

As a junior civil practitioner or a practitioner in a general common law set there are several main benefits to joining your Circuit.

These include:-

• the educational opportunities available, including the excellent advanced advocacy course;

• the representation of your interests at the particular courts in which you regularly appear;

• representation and liaison for and on behalf of the profession with the Bar Council, the Lord Chancellor's Department and the media on issues of importance;

• links with practitioners in other fields;

• continued support for organisations of importance to all practitioners, including FRU and the Bar Pro Bono Unit;

• information on Circuit activities and Bar issues;

• the foundation of lifelong involvement with some the practitioners and members of the judiciary who will continue to be involved in and consulted on your practising life at the Bar.

• Two members of the Committee are currently involved in the development of the Bar's reponse to the Community Legal Service Programme, a potential source of work for the Young Bar.

• These activities will survive and thrive only with the support of young practitioners like you through your membership of and participation in the Circuit.