The Bar Council's reaction to the Queen's speech
Responding to the wide range of legislation announced in today’s Queen’s Speech, Mark Fenhalls QC, chair of the Bar Council, said:
“Of the proposals announced today, the Bar Council’s priorities will include the Bill of Rights, justice legislation, the victims bill and legislation on economic crimes, Brexit freedoms and trade.
“As we set out in our consultation response, the litmus test of a remodelled Bill of Rights is whether it will provide coherent, readily applicable remedies.
“A Brexit Freedoms Bill could involve the unpicking of decades of legislation and any steps taken must be considered very carefully to avoid unintended consequences that could damage the interests of the United Kingdom.
“Barristers in England and Wales spend their daily working lives operating within the legislative framework established by Parliament. We will continue to engage constructively and be guided by the expertise and knowledge of the practising barristers the Bar Council represents.”
