How will the Bar stand up to scrutiny from the Criminal Courts Review chaired by Lord Justice Auld? How is the Access to Justice Act affecting the working practices of the Criminal Bar? Do the proposed changes threaten the very existence of the Criminal Bar?

If the Criminal Bar is to move forward in the new Millennium, how will it adapt in an ever changing legal landscape? How should it equip itself to meet the challenges that it will undoubtedly face?

This session will consider the present and proposed changes and developments to the Criminal Justice System and the future of the Criminal Bar within it. It will focus on issues of real concern to the profession and the public including jury trial, the "modernised" Crown Court, the Criminal Defence Service and competition for work. The workshop will be of interest and value to all criminal barristers and their clerks.

This session has been organised by The Criminal Bar Association.

The Bar has devoted significant resources to eliminate all discrimination.

Has it worked? The Bar continues to work for change to develop a level playing field within the profession. Where is it leading?

This session provides a forum to:

How have the Judges been interpreting the wide-ranging powers granted to them by the Civil Procedure Rules since April 1999? A hypothetical case will be used to highlight appropriate and inappropriate pre-action behaviour, applications for Interim Remedies and the likely exercise of the Court's powers of Case Management. The session will act out (literally) the conduct of a piece of litigation prior to trial. The thornier issues of the day will be considered and ruled upon in the context of the facts of the case study and up to the minute legal precedent. There will be opportunities for questions and discussions throughout the session

This session has been organised by the
London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association

This session brings lawyers up to date on the changing law on IP, Copyright, Domain Names, Trade Marks and ideas for reforms. Security is vital. Topics to be discussed by a top level panel will include: encryption, digital signatures and evidential issues; the impact on contractual law drawing on technology driven scenarios, jurisdiction, effects on terms and conditions and the postal rule. By learning how to research the law more effectively and create a web site you will generate new business and improve existing client services.

This session has been organised by BACFI
with support from COMBAR and the IP Bar.

Civil frauds linked with insolvencies, directors' disqualification, and issues such as breaches of domestic and EU competition law and EU law generally, present ample scope for arguments about the application of the Human Rights legislation. Interrogative procedures, compelled evidence, the privilege against self incrimination and the public functions of government and court officers - all these issues and more are awaiting scrutiny. Hear our expert panel and join in the debate.

This session has been jointly organised by The Chancery Bar Association and The Bar European Group.

The Government Legal Service works at the heart of Government. How are GLS lawyers in the Home Office preparing for the full impact of the human rights legislation which they piloted through Parliament? How is the CPS geared up to face it? What does a Treasury lawyer believe the impact will be of financial services and regulatory reform? Hear from members of the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Attorney General's Legal Secretariat how members of the Attorney General's new civil panels are selected, given work and monitored. How are Counsel appointed to public inquiries and what is their role?

This session has been organised by the Government Legal Service.

What do the Bar's customers expect from it today? Is the Bar meeting those expectations? A distinguished panel made up of the Legal Services Ombudsman, Bar providers and Bar customers (including the Director of Public Prosecutions) will discuss the findings of research work carried out specially for this Conference by Hildebrandt International into what the Bar's customers now expect from it. Understanding and meeting those expectations is at the heart of modern practice and is essential for the survival of the Bar. This session will help give you guidance to ensure you understand the issues you need to address for survival and growth in the new millennium.

This session has been organised jointly by the Western Circuit, the Young Barristers' Committee and the Institute of Barristers' Clerks