//Welcome to BACFI

BACFI represents the interests of employed barristers providing legal services in a commercial environment and also "non-practising" barristers. Members also include self-employed barristers, students, overseas lawyers working in the UK and retired barristers.

BACFI was founded in 1965 and since then has helped to enhance the status of employed barristers within the profession.  In 2000 employed barristers were granted equal practising rights. The Association is independent of the Bar Standards Board and the Bar Council, although it works closely with both organisations on matters affecting members.

In addition to professional issues which comprise one of the its main strands of work, BACFI also focuses on professional development and career opportunities for members.  To support these objectives, BACFI hosts a programme of seminars and other events throughout the year.  Each provides an excellent opportunity for networking.

Membership is open to all barristers and student members of the Inns of Court.

Next Event

Professional Issues Seminar: Meet the European Circuit & The Brussels Office
Speakers: James Flynn QC, Evanna Fruithof and Fergus Randolph QC -- Tuesday, 21st September 2010 -- REGISTER NOW

Latest News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday 14 June 2010

LORD HOFFMANN IS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF BACFI

The Bar Association for Commerce, Finance and Industry (BACFI) has today announced that Lord Hoffmann will succeed the late Lord Slynn as its President.

Lord Hoffmann retired as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary in 2009 and currently practises as an Arbitrator and Mediator from Brick Court Chambers. He remains a non permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong and is Chairman of the Financial Law and Markets Committee of the Bank of England.

BACFI, one of the oldest Specialist Bar Associations affiliated to the Bar Council, represents barristers practising in the fields of commerce, finance and industry. Its members include employed barristers, legal academics and law students, overseas lawyers working in the UK and retired barristers. It was founded in 1965 to promote the interests of employed barristers within the profession. The Association is independent of the Bar Council and the Bar Standards Board, although it works closely with both organisations on matters affecting members.

BACFI Chairman, Christiane Valansot, General Counsel to the Investment Management Association, announcing Lord Hoffmann’s appointment, said:

“BACFI is delighted that Lord Hoffmann has accepted our invitation to lead our Association. The Bar is entering an era of dramatic change, in an uncertain political and economic climate. The employed and self-employed branches of the profession need to support each other, to ensure that together we continue to serve the public interest and the commercial organisations in which we work.

“The Bar and BACFI represent a unique combination of skills, talents and experience, devoted to the service of the public and the maintenance of the rule of law. BACFI members serve on the Boards of domestic and international commercial and industrial companies and represent a vital source of independent legal and ethical advice to their colleagues. I am proud that BACFI will now be led by such a distinguished member of the profession as Lord Hoffmann.”

Lord Hoffmann said:

“It will not be easy to take the place of so distinguished a lawyer as my late colleague Lord Slynn, but I am honoured to have been asked to assume the presidency of this long-established association of members of the Bar, who play such an important role in providing legal services for financial, commercial and industrial institutions.”

Nick Green, QC, Chairman of the Bar, welcomed Lord Hoffmann’s appointment and said:

“I congratulate Lord Hoffmann on his appointment as BACFI’s new President. I am sure he will serve with distinction as Lord Slynn did before him. I wish him, and BACFI, every success in the future and look forward to working with him in his new capacity.”

If you were unable to attend the Legal Practise Skills seminar on 18th May, the notes are available here.

National Pro Bono Centre -- The Bar Pro Bono Unit and LawWorks (the Solicitors Pro Bono Group) are the only two national legal pro bono charities that coordinate pro bono work delivered across England & Wales.

On Monday evening a lease was signed for new premises in Chancery Lane which will allow the Unit and LawWorks to work side by side, joined by ILEX Pro Bono Forum representing legal executives as the third branch of the profession. There will be further “hot desk” facilities for smaller or new pro bono initiatives. The premises will be known as The National Pro Bono Centre.

The move will represent the creation, for the first time in England & Wales, of a single, high profile, physical hub for the coordination and development of national pro bono services from the legal profession of England & Wales.

It is an extremely important development for pro bono, the Bar and the legal profession as a whole. It will increase the capacity to continue this work in service of the public interest, and will literally be a “shop window” onto that work.

See the Response from BACFI to the Practising Certificate Fee consultation here.

Alternative Business Structures -- If you missed our seminar on 14th April with Mandie Lavin of the Bar Standards Board, you can find her presentation here.

There have been some important changes effective from 1st April 2010 approved by the Bar Standards Board and the Legal Services Board which will be of interest to members.

The Public Access Rules have been relaxed so that Public Access barristers may now engage in party to party correspondence.  Public access will also be permitted in criminal, immigration and family cases. It is encouraging that both the BSB and LSB have responded promptly to calls from the Public Access Bar Association for these changes.

There are also significant changes to the nature of self-employed practice enabling barristers to become managers of LDP’s, work in partnerships, investigate and collect evidence and witness statements and to work in both a self-employed and employed capacity at the same time.

Full details can be found on the LSB website.

The 2010 Denning Lecture will take place on Wednesday, 1st December and be delivered by Peter Freeman CBE, QC, the Competition Commissioner.

The 2009 Denning Lecture delivered by Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, MR on 23rd November 2009 at Inner Temple, London is now available. 

Please see latest from BSB. We feel rather pleased that the BSB has decided to put its regulatory toe into the shark infested waters of ABS and LDPs. Thanks to those on the PISC sub committee who contributed to the BACFI response to the consultation last year. BACFI is also contributing to the CPD review, as we know you all feel strongly that CPD as presently administered is not necessarily fit for EB purposes. Sue Edwards is on the working group and Tricia Howse is now on the BSB CPD sub committee. Any members with ideas/complaints about CPD criteria and courses please email them to Tricia on Tricia.Howse@hotmail.co.uk.

The BSB has also produced an important consultation paper on its Authorisation to Practise regime following the implementation of the Legal Services Act.  This is important for all employed and non-practising barristers and all members are urged to study the paper and forward comments to Helen Fletcher Rogers prior to 5th May.

Barristers needed for the ‘Speak up for others – a career as a barrister’ scheme (outside London). Could you give up a few hours to speak at a school about a career as a barrister? If so, and you are outside London, please volunteer. This scheme aims to enhance awareness of the role and training path of barristers, particularly within schools currently without access to this information. The Bar Council will match you with a school in your chosen area (where you live or work) and provide materials for the talk. Further details are available here.

The Professional Issues committee is currently engaged in many important professional activities and welcomes input from members.  Further details can be found on the Professional Issues page.

New Situations & Vacancies

Judicial Appointments Commission -- Forthcoming selection exercises for 2010-2011