Dear Northern Circuiteers
Community:
It was a delight to meet so many of Circuit’s new pupils last night at our first mess of the Michaelmas term. Circuit has 61 new pupils starting this term. I would encourage practitioners at all levels to welcome them either at the ‘Meet the Pupils’ events or any of the messes this term. Last night’s event was superbly organised as usual by our Circuit Admin Clare Calder – please see attached photograph. Thank you to Nine Chambers for kindly hosting. The next event will take place at SJB Liverpool prior to the mess on 5 November 2026.
One further plea: it would be lovely to see as many pupil supervisors as possible booking onto future messes with their pupils.
For our special ‘Burnley’ mess this term, please note that there is a special accommodation rate at the Crow Wood Hotel but do act quickly as the rate is valid only until 23 September 2026. See the members area of the Circuit Website for more information. Please also see below for details of the event to welcome our new Honorary Recorder of Burnley, Her Honour Judge Sara Dodd on 24 September 2026.
The Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos, will be making a farewell visit to the Civil Justice Centre in Manchester on 13 October 2026. His afternoon will end with a valedictory in court followed by drinks reception. All members of circuit and pupils are very welcome to attend. Further details will be circulated shortly.
Circuit regularly receives information about fabulous advocacy training opportunities – including those that take place overseas - for trained advocacy trainers. Depending on timing, details of these are included either in the Circuit News Updates or emailed directly to Northern Circuit-trained advocacy trainers. If any practitioners are interested in becoming Northern Circuit advocacy trainers or wish to have further details of the training opportunities which might be available, please contact Mike Lemmy or Chris Melton KC .
May I take this opportunity to thank the many members of Circuit who have contacted me with their wonderful stories about the late Dame Heather Steel. I will ensure these are collated and included in a formal Circuit notice which will then appear on the Circuit website along with the other obituaries which will be published in the forthcoming days and weeks.
Finally, I hope to see as many of you as possible at the various events which will be taking place this term but in the meantime, you are free to contact me at any time.
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
6 October 2026: Preston 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
Members please book onto mess via the Circuit website in the usual way.
For members if your query is in relation to Mess or Training please use the Member’s area on this link: https://www.northerncircuit.org.uk/member-login/
To reset your password, visit https://www.northerncircuit.org.uk/forgot-password/ to request a reset link to the email address you receive newsletters to.
Pupils and pupil Supervisors: please note the next “Meet Circuit” informal event being held between 4.30 - 6pm ahead of Liverpool Combined mess on 5 November (SJB Liverpool).
Please let Clare know here if you are attending.
Welcome to the Honorary Recorder of Burnley Thursday 24 September 2026 at 10am
Please find attached a notice of the CVP link details for Burnley County Court, Court 1.
Forthcoming valedictories
An invitation is extended to all pupils, practitioners, judges, retired judges, and court staff who may wish to attend the forthcoming valedictories:
• The Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos: 13 October 2026 after court, Manchester Civil Justice Centre
• His Honour Judge Neil Cadwallader: 4 November 2026 at 9.30am in Court 27, Liverpool Civil and Family Court
His Honour Judge Steven Everett: 20 November 2026 at 9.45am in Court 1, Chester Crown Court
In Brief magazine
Please note the deadline for the In Brief Autumn edition is Monday 5 October 2026.
Please send your article (and photos with captions where appropriate) to either:
The Editor, Olivia Mukherjee, Mukherjee@deanscourt.co.uk or the sub Editor, Jack Barber, Barber@deanscourt.co.uk
Previous editions can be found on the website here.
Circuit Golf
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.
Executive Committee vacancies
The following positions on the Northern Circuit Executive Committee will be coming vacant this term. Please click on each role to be directed to the various relevant documents and job descriptions on the Circuit website. Please send expressions of interest to the Circuit Secretary, Andrew Howe no later than 4.00pm on Friday 16 October 2026.
EDSM Officer
Wellbeing Officer
Manchester Junior
Preston Junior
Other events:
European Circuit Annual Conference 2026 – 24 & 25 September 2026, Málaga
See the flyer here for more information or use this link: https://www.europeancircuit.com/event/annual-conference-2026/
Middle Temple Circuit Social Event - 8 October 2026, Manchester
Click on the link for more information and how to book.
FLBA Junior Drinks - Brighton - 16 October 2026 at 7.00pm, Brighton
Click on the link for more information and how to book.
FLBA National Conference and AGM - 17 October 2026, Brighton
Click on the link for more information and how to book.
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
Criminal Bar Association Young Bar Day - 17 October 2026, Inner Temple
For members 0-7 years call. Please see the programme attached here
The link for booking is here.
FLBA Panel Event for pupil barristers, recent tenants and junior barristers - 22 October 2026, 6pm – 7pm, remote via zoom.
Further details can be found here
All FLBA members are eligible to vote in the FLBA elections until the closing date on 2 October 2026. Please check your emails for the voting link from Civica and note that amongst the many superb candidates, we have our Northern Circuit's Jack McCabe and Jacob Quested Khan standing.
Inner Temple Northern Circuit dinner – 13 November 2026, Liverpool
Click on the link for more information and how to book
Bar Conference – Saturday 14 November 2026, London
Kirsty Brimelow KC, Chair of the Bar Council requests you to support the event by attending.
Here’s the link to book your ticket: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-events/conferences-and-seminars/bar-conference/browse-our-ticket-options.html
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:
Request for Input - Delays to transport to Court
Click on the link to take part.
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.
Northern Circuit website:
A reminder for all members that the “members’ area” of the Northern Circuit Website holds helpful items such as external vacancies (including the one below) and discounted hotel rates etc.
Judicial Appointments Opportunity - OPEN 15th September and CLOSES 29th September – click here for the vacancy details.