Dear all
Community:
August is finally here.
Our new Circuit Junior, Lewis Bocking, married his sweetheart Celine Kart (North Eastern Circuit) this weekend at Middle Temple. Huge congratulations to them both. Arranging a wedding will perhaps be good practice for a busy forthcoming term. We have a lot to celebrate.
Liverpool mess will be taking place on 5 November 2026. It will likely be a sell out as we will be marking our recent judicial retirements. Please save the date and keep an eye on bookings opening.
We are also organising something special for Preston mess next term (save the date - likely to be Tuesday 6 October 2026) to celebrate the wonderful news that Her Honour Judge Sara Dodd will be appointed as the Honorary Recorder of Burnley at a ceremony in September. Although I am firmly instructed HHJ Dodd wants no fuss, may I remind Circuit that this year is the 70th anniversary of the appointment of Rose Heilbron QC – the first woman to be so appointed – as a Recorder for Burnley in 1956, becoming the Honorary Recorder in 1971. Again, it is likely to be a sell out, so please keep an eye on bookings once they open.
I extend thanks on behalf of Circuit to Jaime Hamilton KC, Gemma Maxwell, Rebecca Filletti and Rebecca Penfold. They have been brilliant at facilitating the latest MP visits to Bolton and Minshull Street. I attach a photograph of the Rebeccas taken last week with Elsie Blundell MP just as the news was breaking regarding a possible relaxation of the government’s stance on jury trials. Watch this space...
Whilst on the subject of photographs, I attach another: this one of your Leader and Circuit Admin at the Fellowship graduation ceremony last week at Liverpool John Moores University. We had a lot of fun.
Circuit news is, as ever, a mix of happy and sad. You will have received last week’s notice imparting the sad news about the death of His Honour William George. His funeral will take place on Friday 28 August at 2.00pm at Christ Church, Linnet Lane, Liverpool L17 3BD. All are welcome.
May I take this opportunity to send you all my very best for a wonderful summer. Whether you’re taking a break or still hard at it, I hope you have plans for some rest, relaxation and spending time with family and friends.
See you in September.
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:
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.
Pupillage Fair North 2026 – 21 November 2026
The Chambers event page is now live for bookings. Please login and head to Chamber events. 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 registrations open to Chambers
Pupillage training week from Monday 14 December - Friday 18 December 2026. This is available only to pupils who have already commenced their pupillage by 14 December 2026. Please note that all 5 days are to be attended irrespective of practice area. Pupils are not automatically allocated a place. 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.
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:
LFJB Lunchtime Seminar: 20 August 2026
What’s going on in the world of adoption? Presented by Ruth Rigby & Katrina Williams from Adoption Now
Thank you all for attending the lunch time seminar on the 23 July 2026 on child exploitation. Please find attached slides used.
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/
Consultations:
There are two important consultations to be aware of in the family and criminal jurisdictions.
Family: The closing date for the MOJ’s consultation about financial remedies – A Fairer End to Relationships – is 14 August 2026.
Crime: The Law Commission is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the law of homicide. A Consultation Paper setting out provisional proposals for reform of the homicide offences was published last month. A copy of the paper is available from their website here , and a summary of the paper is available here , with an online response form here . The closing date is 30 September 2026. The Law Commission intend to publish further papers on defences to homicide and sentencing for murder, followed by public consultation, in Summer 2027.
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.
External Vacancies:
A reminder for all members within the “member’s area” that holds helpful items such as External Vacancies.
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.