Dear all
Community:
As usual, summer seems to have passed us by in the blink of an eye. Those who stayed behind to labour through the heatwaves of August will now be reaping the rewards of cheaper flights abroad, child-free hotels and an absence of torrential rain. Well done you.
We have a packed term coming up. Our eager beaver new junior Lewis, fresh from honeymoon, has been quick off the mark . The first mess of term is in less than two weeks (Manchester, 17 September). Please book on to show him your support.
You will note from earlier updates that mess will be particularly popular this term. We will be celebrating the appointment of Her Honour Judge Dodd as the Honorary Recorder of Burnley on 6 October and marking the retirements of Her Honour Judge Coppel, His Honour Judge Menary KC and His Honour Judge Wood KC on 5 November. I would advise booking as soon as possible before we reach capacity.
I would like to extend an invitation in particular to our Northern Circuit Judges: mess is for you, too. All full time and retired full time Judges on Circuit, whether solicitors or at the Bar in practice, are able to come to mess (save for Grand Court, which no Judge attends). Please come. It would be lovely to see you.
From mess to cricket.
First, attached to this update is a fabulous photograph of the Liverpool Bar Cricket team after their recent victory – with the final ball of the innings - in the LMS Wirral Social League. Congratulations to them.
Secondly, please note the Nick Kennedy Memorial game will take place at Ormskirk Cricket Club this Sunday 6th September. Any players who wish to play for the Kennedy AllStars should contact Peter Kennedy at pjk7@hotmail.com . Any players wishing to play for the Liverpool Bar Cricket team and who are not in the LBCC WhatsApp group should contact Jonathan.brownson@7hs.co.uk . Let us hope for them that rain does not stop play.
I have been asked to remind Circuit’s criminal practitioners that a new Practice Direction on Listing and new PTPH forms come into effect on 1 October 2026. Further details are provided here . I am told local training will be provided, so please keep an eye out for future updates about this.
Finally, I will be out and about Circuit at various events this term. I hope to see as many of you as possible. Please keep an eye on future updates for details of forthcoming events. I am looking forward to meeting our new Circuit pupils at the pre-mess ‘Meet and Greets’ in Manchester and Liverpool. Until then, for them as well as for you, my door is always open.
Sam Hillas KC
Leader of the Northern Circuit
Please can you ensure requests are sent at least two weeks in advance so that we can keep Circuit emails to a minimum. Thank you.
Circuit events:
Michaelmas Mess 2026 – see link to term card
17 September 2026: Manchester Combined – The Midland
6 October 2026: Burnley Combined – Crow Wood Hotel & Spa, Burnley
22 October 2026: Carlisle Combined - The Crown, Wetheral
5 November 2026: Liverpool Combined – The Royal Liver Building, Liverpool
19 November 2026: Manchester Grand Court – The Lowry, Manchester
10 December 2026: Liverpool Grand Court – The Royal Liver Building, Liverpool
Please book onto mess via the Circuit website in the usual way.
Pupils and pupil Supervisors: please note the two “Meet Circuit” informal events being held at 6pm ahead of Manchester and Liverpool Combined mess on 17 September (Nine Chambers) and 5 November (SJB Liverpool) respectively.
Please let Clare know here if you are attending.
Forthcoming valedictory
An invitation is extended to all practitioners, judges, retired judges, and court staff who may wish to attend the forthcoming valedictory to mark the retirement of HHJ Steven Everett on
20 November 2026 at 9.45 am in Court 1 at Chester Crown Court.
Circuit Golf
Please note the upcoming dates and fixtures:
13 September 2026: the Carlisle Cup at Wilmslow GC;
26 September 2026: the Bar v Bench match to contest the Maddison Trophy at Delamere Forest GC.
Pupillage Fair North 2026 – 21 November 2026
The Chambers event page is now live for bookings. Contact Circuit Admin if you need any assistance or password resets.
The video from last year’s event is here
We would really welcome your support in sharing the event details on all social media platforms:
Poster
Eventbrite page
Linked in
In addition to the stands, we are looking for volunteers for CV clinics, lectures and other events. Please contact Clare if you are willing to be involved.
Pupillage Officers – BSB – Pupillage Self Service
From 1 September 2026, all pupillage registrations will be completed via the MyBar portal.
You can sign up for the BSB Pupillage Self-Service Process webinar on Tuesday 8 September 2026 at 5.30 pm to find out more about the changes to pupillage registrations and ask questions on the new process.
Other events:
Upcoming pre-application seminar (in-person): Deputy Insolvency and Companies Court Judges- 15 September 2026
Please note that this session will be in-person and will take place in the Rolls Building.
Further details at: https://www.judicialcareers.judiciary.uk/civicrm/event/info/?id=216
Cumbria Family Justice Conference - 18 September 2026
This annual event is a full day conference for all family practitioners with legal updates and talks from experts, taking place at the Rheged Centre just outside Penrith. The event is well attended by solicitors and an excellent opportunity for networking. Tickets sell fast so please follow the link to book your place.
European Circuit Annual Conference 2026 – 24 & 25 September 2026
See the flyer here for more information or use this link: https://www.europeancircuit.com/event/annual-conference-2026/
FLBA Junior Drinks - Brighton - 16 October 2026 at 7.00pm
The FLBA Junior sub-committee has organised drinks for junior barristers at the Lion and Lobster prior to the National Conference in Brighton.
So we can keep track of numbers, please book your place here (there is no charge to book)
Jack McCabe, Chair FLBA Junior Sub Committee
FLBA National Conference and AGM - Brighton - 17 October 2026
This year’s FLBA National Conference followed by the gala dinner will take place at the Grand Hotel, Brighton.
To find out more about the conference and to book your place please click here
The Conference is open to all full members of the FLBA. For membership enquiries please contact Antje at admin@flba.co.uk
Any member of the judiciary who wishes to attend is welcome and can book directly.
Bookings must be completed by no later than 5pm on 25 September 2026
Young Bar Day - 17 October 2026
FAO Members 0-7 years call. Please see the programme attached here
The link for booking is here.
Panel Event for Pupil Barristers, recent Tenants and Junior Barristers - 22 October 2026, 6pm – 7pm, remote via zoom.
This is a panel event organised by the FLBA junior sub-committee. It is aimed at those who are pupils or junior tenants.
Further details can be found here
Consultations:
Crime: Please note the closing date for the Law Commission’s consultation on the law of homicide is 30 September 2026. A summary of the paper is available here and the online response form here.
Other updates:
Professional Development for young professionals - 16 September 2026
Click on the link for more information and how to book on.
Request for Input - Delays to transport to Court
Click on the link to take part.
The Barristers' Benevolent Association - Annual Review
Click on the link for the latest copy. For more information head to www.the-bba.com
Or contact Nicky Young here directly.
Calling all Judges - Inner Temple's Marshalling Scheme
Inner Temple is in need of judges (salaried and fee paid) based outside of London and in a variety of practice areas so that they can increase the number of placements they offer our students on Circuit. Please contact Mercy Quaynor at mquaynor@innertemple.org.uk if you are able to help.
ESL Mentoring Volunteer Opportunities
Balakun (which means ‘‘chatterbox’ in Ukranian) is a not-for-profit organisation which connects Ukrainian students who want to learn English with fluent English-speaking mentors from around the world who want to support Ukraine in a practical way. They are actively seeking mentor volunteers. Further details can be found here.
External Vacancies:
A reminder for all members within the “member’s area” that holds helpful items such as External Vacancies.
BSB Vocational External Examiners Vacancies – click here for the candidate brief and this link to the vacancy.