Bar Council's 90th Year 'Embraces Change'

The leading provider of expert independent legal advice and courtroom advocacy, The Bar of Northern Ireland has marked its 90th anniversary by holding its first annual conference.

Aimed at lawyers from across the UK and Republic of Ireland as well as representatives from business, government, the community and voluntary sectors, the Minister for Justice David Ford, the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan, the Attorney General John Larkin QC and the new Director of Public Prosecutions Barra McGrory were all attending as delegates.

The Chairman of the Bar Council Adrian Colton QC said the Bar would continue to play its part in major changes that would protect the future of the Justice system.

"At a time when we are engaging in serious reform of many of our public institutions including our legal system, with legal fees and costs being reduced in response to the current economic climate, and when there is a need for real and substantial debate about how proposed reforms can improve justice in Northern Ireland, never has the role of the Bar been more important," he said.

"Our justice system is as much a part of the infrastructure of a civilised society as our healthcare, or our education systems. Its value may not be as easily measured but our justice system truly matters to the lives of each and every citizen.

"The Bar is embracing change and introducing initiatives that will widen access to its specialist expertise and one example is its work with the Lord Chief Justice on the introduction of pro bono advice centres aimed at supporting the voluntary sector," he said.

Speaking about the contribution of the Bar to the local economy Mr Colton added: "Our legal system has a strong reputation domestically and abroad, which must be capitalized to attract inward investment and international litigation business.

"That reputation has been enhanced by the work recently to develop our Commercial Court as an attractive forum for international companies to litigate their disputes.

"This inevitably contributes to the development of the Northern Ireland economy and the Bar is keen to play its part in assisting the Executive and Invest NI in these efforts."

On the issue of the development of public policy the Bar Chairman highlighted the willingness of barristers to be engaged in legislation, policy and debate: "I believe that the profession and politicians can learn much from each other. Barristers are pragmatic and open-minded individuals - in many ways, an untapped resource for use in the legislative and scrutiny functions of the Assembly.

"We are ready and willing to roll up our sleeves and get involved in policy and debate - be it planning, education, employment or mental health. This equally applies to the voluntary organisations operating as part of the wider justice community," he said.

The Bar Council actively promotes 'pro bono' [for the public good, free] work as an integral duty in the work of a barrister.

As part of the pupillage training an annual prize for the pupil who has contributed the most to this work is sponsored by The First Trust Bank and was awarded at the conference to two outstanding pupils, Leona McEvoy and Emma Dellow-Perry.

(BMcC/GK)