Your Bar Liaison Committee

With the triennial elections for membership of the Bar Liaison Committee (BLC) taking place in November, why not put yourself forward for election to the committee and get involved in the work of YOUR Inn? To reflect the profession and the Inn’s commitments to fairness and equality of opportunity, we encourage as diverse a membership as possible.

Any member of the Inn who has been called to the Bar, in practice at the Self-Employed or Employed Bar, but who is not a Master of the Bench, is eligible to be elected to the BLC if three other members nominate them by email or in writing.

The BLC is a dynamic committee of pivotal importance. It is responsible for ensuring that the voices of members of the Inn are heard at all levels of the Inn’s governance and can carry significant influence in shaping future policies. Matters for discussion are necessarily diverse and wide in scope: for example, the provision and pricing of the Inn’s accommodation, catering and events generally (bearing in mind The Inn’s overriding objective of inclusivity). Where updates are sought, for example, with regard to the Bar Council’s ‘Race at the Bar’ progress report, papers are presented and constructive feedback provided.

Members of the BLC sit on all the Inn’s committees and sub-committees including the Executive Committee, Education & Training Committee, Scholarships and Outreach, Advocacy Training, Estates, Finance, Archives and International Committees. They are also active in assisting Masters of the Bench in overseeing a range of other responsibilities such as the Employed Bar Forum, the Inns of Court Alliance for Women, marshalling, mooting, debating, scholarship interviewing, the car park, the cellar, pictures and silver and student societies.

Strong links are maintained with members of the Inn on circuit through their representatives on the BLC and by holding educational and social events on all the Circuits in collaboration with the Masters of the Circuits.

Promoting the Inn’s work and the society’s facilities, including dining in Hall, are also important responsibilities of BLC members. From time to time the BLC will assist in responding to Bar Standards Board consultations on behalf of the Inn.

In October, I shall be writing to members eligible for election with details of the application process. It is vitally important the BLC reflects the Inn’s diverse membership. I hope very much that you will consider putting yourself forward to further the work of The Inner Temple.

For more information about the Bar Liaison Committee, please contact Henrietta Amodio, Director of the Treasury Office and Secretary to the BLC, hamodio@innertemple.org.uk, or innertemple.org.uk/who-we-are/how-we-operate/committees/blc.

PROPOSED TIMETABLE FOR ELECTIONS

NOVEMBER 2023

Sarah Williams Payne Hicks Beach LLP

Chair of the Bar Liaison Committee