Dear all
Community:
If it had included a day trip to Bridlington, more ice cream and fewer Teams meetings, last week would have been the kind of sunshine-filled Whit Week/half term of my childhood memories. Whether you managed a run out to Brid or not, I hope you all managed some time off to recharge your batteries for the rest of this term.
The Northern Circuit’s response to the jury trials issue remains as strong and united as ever. I thank the Two Rebeccas (Penfold and Filletti) for representing Circuit at a meeting in Parliament this week with other circuit representatives, the Chair of the Bar, the Chair of the CBA and various interested MPs and peers. As the youngsters would say they “did us a solid” and identified the initiatives on the Northern Circuit that, if adopted nationwide alongside uncapped sitting days, would do more to reduce the backlog than the Government’s current, ill thought out plans.
You’ll all be delighted to hear that I have continued to consume lots of dinners on your behalf. The Midland Circuit hosted a wonderful dinner last month for Circuit Leaders past and present where the march of progress in terms of diversity was apparent from the table seating the most junior amongst us (it was also the loudest). The CBA dinner at Lincoln’s Inn was another opportunity to spend time with the other Circuit Leaders, reflecting on what we can do better for our respective members. I will be attending the Western Circuit Grand Night next month and the North Eastern Circuit’s celebratory dinner in a couple of weeks, organised to celebrate their 150th anniversary.
It is not all dinners, of course. To highlight just a few in the last weeks alone: silks’ drinks to celebrate the appointments of Simon Gurney KC, Vanessa Thompson KC and Phil Barnes KC; Hundred Court Chambers hosted a wonderful book launch where it was a pleasure to say a few words congratulating Ian McArdle for his new book about domestic abuse in family law (and Lyndsey Davies for her excellent cupcakes); speaking at an inspirational ‘Conversation with…’ Lady Hale; Her Honour Judge Coppel’s packed-out valedictory, the High Sheriffs’ conference; attending Advocates’ Bar Pro Bono awards at Inner Temple and a brilliant Preston mess; more meetings than I can count...
I could do with knuckling down to the day job a bit more to keep my clerks happy and it would be lovely to see my husband now and again but otherwise I am really enjoying being your Leader and am always interested to hear more about what you are all up to and how Circuit can best serve your needs.
Two super successful Northern Circuit events I was sadly unable to attend this year were the Expert Witness Advocacy Weekend held in Lancaster and the annual hockey and rugby matches against the Irish Bar. I’m told both were fabulous. The EWW saw a number of Circuiteers trained in expert witness handling and 6 members of Circuit certified as new trainers. I thank Ginny Whiteley, Mike Lemmy, Chris Melton KC and their team for all their efforts pulling together an advocacy course which is envied by the other circuits. Thanks also to Holly Nelson and Sam Watson who organised a glorious (and victorious!) sporting weekend - both Northern Circuit teams won (41-17 rugby; 2-0 hockey - our first ever hockey victory) and both sports fielded Circuiteers on both sides in a fantastic display of camaraderie matched only by the singing at messs afterwards. Our congratulations to Jamie Baxter and Rebecca Filletti for Man/Woman of the Match respectively. As ever, Clare Calder ensured the suc cess of both events due to her excellent admin skills behind the scenes.
We have two more messes this term. We have Manchester Combined Mess at the Midland on 25 June and we will be welcoming the Bar Council’s Commissioner for Conduct, Baroness Maria Miller at Liverpool mess on 16 July 2026, our final mess of the term. Numbers have been low for mess this term and Junior will shortly be contacting chambers to try and encourage you to sign up. Please sign up for either/both if you can. Attending Roger Lowe’s funeral really brought home to me what it means to be a member of this Circuit. He had not practised for nigh on 40 years but the crematorium was packed with friends who had not forgotten him and others who came to pay their respects. Mess is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues away from court, to swap war tales with the seniors, to support the juniors and mix with judges in a more convivial setting. I can promise you a good dinner, good company and a short speech. I hope to see you there.
We have lots to think about in the months ahead. We are considering how best to maximise our membership to ensure the Northern Circuit is as inclusive as it possibly can be and discussions have started about a new Northern Circuit Mentoring Scheme. More details of both will follow in due course but, as ever, I am receptive to ideas that any of you would care to share with me.
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:
Forthcoming valedictories:
An invitation is extended to all practitioners, judges, retired judges, and court staff who may wish to attend the forthcoming valedictories to mark the retirements of the following Judges:
2 July 2026: HHJ Jordan - 4.30pm Manchester Civil Justice Centre
3 July 2026: HHJ Andrew Menary KC - 945am: Court 4-1 at the QE2 in Liverpool
10 July 2026: DJ Ian Knifton - Liverpool Civil and Family Court. Timings TBC
23 July 2026: HHJ Graham Wood KC, Designated Civil Judge for Cheshire and Merseyside – 9.30am: Court 26, Liverpool Civil and Family Court
Northern Circuit Cricket v NE Circuit - 14 June 2026
The Northern Circuit v N.E. Circuit cricket match for the Russell Cup will be held at Harrogate Cricket Club on Sunday 14th June, wickets pitched at 1.30pm. The game is part of the celebrations to mark the 125th anniversary of the North Eastern Circuit. There are still a couple of places available for those wishing to represent the Circuit, let Peter.harthan@7hs.co.uk know if you wish to play.
Circuit Golf
Please note the upcoming dates and fixtures:
29 August 2026: the annual match against the North Eastern Circuit at Dunham Forest GC
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.
*Save the date*
Pupillage Fair North 2026 – 21 November 2026
Please see poster. **bookings about to go live for free stands**
Mess - Trinity Term
Please see Mess calendar here. Bookings are now available. Members and judiciary to use this link to book on. Non-members should contact Clare.
Manchester Combined Mess – 25 June 2026
Liverpool Combined Mess – 16 July 2026
Pupillage registrations open to Chambers
Pupillage training week from Monday 14 December - Friday 18 December 2026. If you wish to register your pupil for a place please note that all 5 days are to be attended irrespective of practice area. This programme is only available to pupils who have already commenced their pupillage at the time of training.
Your pupil is not automatically allocated a place at this point, please ensure you register them with Circuit Admin by the deadline of Friday 14 August 2026.
Can I ask you to urge your "trained trainers" to contact Circuit to assist with this training. If you have any members who wish to become a trainer please contact Circuit Admin for further information.
Other events:
'Without Fear or Favour' - a talk by The Rt Hon Dame Victoria Sharp DBE - 22 June 2026
Inner Temple is hosting a talk (in person and online) given by Dame Victoria Sharp, President of the King’s Bench Division, on judicial independence, entitled “Without Fear of Favour”, which may be of interest to your members.
Please click on the link for details.
Upcoming pre-application seminar: First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber (Salaried and Fee-paid Judges) - 19 June 2026
Exercises: First-tier Tribunal – Property Chamber (Salaried Judges and Fee-Paid Judges) – launching in the summer and autumn
Seminar date: Tuesday 23 June 2026, 5:00–6:00pm (online)
Seminar advert link:
Direct registration link:
The seminar is designed to support prospective applicants in preparing a strong application and to provide up-to-date guidance on the JAC selection process. Participants will hear from the JAC, the President of the Property Chamber (Judge McGrath), as well as a salaried and a fee-paid judge.
Judicial office holders and legal practitioners from all backgrounds with at least five years’ post-qualification experience are welcome to attend. Candidates will be expected to have knowledge of landlord and tenant and housing law.
Please note that we do not run pre-application events for every JAC selection exercise. We would be grateful if you could encourage your members to keep an eye on the JAC vacancies page and to sign up for the Judging Your Future newsletter.
Digital Jury Bundles in Preston Crown Court.
Please click here for the DJB Comms.
Greater Manchester Local Family Justice Board & Child Concern day Conference - Friday 26 June 2026
Time: Registration from 9.15am
Conference: 10 am to 4.30pm
Venue: Manchester Metropolitan University, The Dalton Building, Chester Street, Manchester. M1 5GD
Book tickets here
YJLC Essential Training for Junior Lawyers - 27 June 2026GM
Venue: The Bar Council, 289-293 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7HZ
Purchase your tickets here.
Cumbria Family Justice Conference - 18th September 2026
This annual event is a full day conference for all family practitioners with legal updates and talks from experts. The keynote speaker last year was Sir Andrew Macfarlane, then President of the Family Division. Our Northern Circuit Family Division Liaison Judge, Mrs Justice Knowles, also spoke about pathfinder courts (now the child focused courts) and there was a useful panel discussion about well-being in family practice.
Taking place at the Rheged Centre just outside Penrith, the agenda for this year is shaping up to be even better than last year. 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.
Tickets for the following events remain available:
Bereavement service for children training event – 2 July 2026
Venue: Manchester Civil Justice Centre. See link.
Manchester Legal Walk – 4 July 2026
Venue: Manchester/Salford Quays. See link.
Other updates:
Professional Development for young professionals
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.
Conference in Brussels - 11 June 2026
Click here for more details . Click here to register.