Bar Leaders Meet In Belfast

The Bar of Northern Ireland hosted the fourth Joint Bar Council meeting, bringing together representatives from Bar Councils of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Special guests included Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, Chairman of the Bar of England and Wales, Alastair Ross MLA, Junior Minister and Paul Frew MLA, Chairman of Committee for Justice

Speaking from the event, Chairman Gerry McAlinden QC stressed the vital importance of collaboration between the respective Bars, “We may represent different legal jurisdictions; yet despite these differences, we have shared professional commitments – in the representation of our memberships, our commitment to independence and the rule of law and the promotion and protection of access to justice for all.”

Mr. McAlinden QC acknowledged the challenges facing the profession both North and South but praised the emerging innovations in widening access to education and training, delivering support for young practitioners and improving equality at the Bar.

The annual event was held in Belfast at the Royal Courts of Justice on Friday 24 June 2016. The Council meeting was followed by a timely lecture on ‘Constitutional Common Law: The protection of Rights’ by Lord Kerr, Justice of the Supreme Court and Former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, followed by dinner at the Ulster Museum.