Lecture Night (Hybrid) – Criminal Law and Sentencing – The Future?

At this qualifying session students will hear from a panel of experienced barristers at the Criminal Bar about the Crisis in the Criminal Justice system: Challenges, Public Confidence, and the Role of the Judiciary in a Digital Age.

Speakers: Narita Bahra KC, Andrea Coomber KC (Hon.), Professor Nick Hardwick CBE and HHJ Stephen Warner

Themes: Legal Knowledge, Justice and the Rule of Law

Timings:

17.30: Registration (in-person) 17:45 (online)

18.00 until 19.30

Materials and Preparation: No preparation required

Learning Aims: The aim of this Qualifying Session is to explore the key challenges facing the criminal justice system, including court delays, prison overcrowding, and pressures on the legal profession. Students will assess the impact on public confidence in the rule of law, consider recruitment and retention issues at the Criminal Bar, and examine how the judiciary is perceived, particularly in the context of social media.

Professional Statement Reference: (Access the full Professional Statement for Barristers here)

1.2.1 : Act with the utmost integrity and independence at all times, in the interests of justice, representing
clients with courage, perseverance and fearlessness.
3.1 : Understand and exercise their duty to act in the best interests of their client
4.5 : Maintain the confidentiality of their clients’ affairs, adopting secure technology where
appropriate