Monday Message 08.06.26
Let there be absolutely NO doubt: the Criminal Bar Association is fundamentally opposed to the proposed restrictions on the right to jury trial
In this edition:
- Defence Fees – our position statement
- Parliament Day
- **Reminder – Upcoming Dates for MP Visits to Crown Courts
- CBA Vice Chair applications are now open
- Call for parties interested in forming a CBA Black Barristers’ Committee
- Court Users’ Group Minutes and updater
- Old Bailey Summer Concert
- Gray’s Inn Concert
- In Memoriam – Richard Wormald KC and Judith Benson
Defence Fees – our position statement
Throughout this past year, the CBA have been fighting on two fronts. The Justice Needs Juries campaign, and the real need for our fees, both prosecution and defence, to be increased. These two topics are different, and largely unrelated. It goes without saying that the first is a point of real principle, based on our true belief that juries are the best mechanism for a fair and just criminal justice system that is free from racial and other bias. The second relates to the dignity and professionalism of the criminal bar, and the respect that is due to us for all that we do in the truly terrible working conditions that we are increasingly being subjected to and have been tolerating for years. The link between the two issues is that, if the Government is serious about tackling the backlog of cases in the Crown Court, it needs to make good on its promise in December to make “the additional investment into the independent Bar … which will bolster the workforce which ultimately powers the courts and keeps the wheels of justice turning”.
Earlier this morning the CBA circulated a message to our members outlining our dissatisfaction and disappointment with last week’s long overdue announcement of the MoJ’s stance on the provision of the additional funding promised for the Advocates’ Graduated Fees Scheme (AGFS). We do not repeat it here, but suffice to say, the discontent of the criminal bar is palpable.
As soon as the full proposals have been published, as soon as we know what the final package contains, as soon as we know exactly what we are dealing with, the CBA will be consulting you, our members, on how you want to proceed and on our response.
Parliament Event
Last week, on 2nd June, Abtisam Mohammed MP (Labour MP for Sheffield Central) hosted a meeting in Parliament at which the Bar Council, CBA and Circuit representatives were able to discuss the Courts and Tribunal Bill with MPs and Peers. The meeting was addressed by Bar Council Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC, Rights of Women Director Estelle du Boulay, London Victims’ Commissioner Andrea Simon and CBA Chair Riel Karmy-Jones KC.
Estelle spoke of the difficulties victims have in engaging effectively with the criminal justice system, but pointed out that jury trial was not one of them, noting that the diversity of juries is often welcomed by complainants. Andrea welcomed parts of the Courts and Tribunals Bill – namely Clauses 8-16, which relate to victim experience and the admissibility of certain evidence. There is widespread support for those measures, including from the Bar Council and CBA.
Bar Council Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC gave an excellent summary of what the Bill contains, and what the joint position of the Bar Council, CBA and Circuit Leaders has been. She highlighted the areas that are dealing with the backlogs, and particularly RASSO cases, well and explained how that benefits complainants. She reiterated our joint long-standing arguments that juries are not the cause of the backlog and made clear that we will continue to work with MPs as the Courts and Tribunals Bill progresses.
Riel and Andrew also contributed on behalf of the CBA. Riel emphasised the work that the criminal bar does with complainant victims in serious sexual offence cases, and the fact that our experience shows that 12 jurors will always be the least biased part of the criminal justice system. She highlighted the numbers of Crown and Magistrates’ Court trials that have been cancelled for reasons that have nothing to do with juries, and how the recent figures show that despite the cap on sitting days having notionally been lifted, courts across the country remain closed each week because of other failures in the system. Andrew discussed the piecemeal legislation which has added to the burden on the criminal courts.
Riel and Andrew were also able to present two CBA drafted documents prepared for our Parliamentarians– (i) a briefing note on the key issues, and (ii) a summary of what others have said on the issue of jury trials with media links:
Also speaking in the round table discussion were Claire Davies KC, Leader of the Southeastern Circuit, Sarah Jones KC, leader of the Western Circuit, Chris Rees KC, leader of the Wales and Chester circuit, Kate Lumsden KC, Nick Worsley KC (North Eastern Circuit), David Wood (Southeastern Circuit) Sam Skinner KC (Midlands Circuit), Rebecca Penfold and Rebecca Filletti (Northern Circuit) and Amelia Clegg (YBC Chair). All spoke with great eloquence of the experience of the criminal bar in their areas, of how Resident Judges are succeeding in bringing backlogs down, and of what is really needed to bring the backlog down which does not involve a restriction on the right to jury trial.
We are deeply grateful to Abtisam Mohamed and her team for hosting, and the Team at the Bar Council – Archie Jacob, Nikita Feifel, Henry McMean, Rhiannon Du Cann , and Piran Dhillon-Starkings – for all their hard work in facilitating this event, for contacting MPs, and making it happen, and to all who attended to support the criminal bar.
**Reminder – Upcoming Dates for MP Visits to Crown Courts
All of our recent MP Court visits, orchestrated by the Bar Council, who have liaised with MPs and secured their attendance, and our Circuit Leaders who have arranged for senior members of the bar to host, and have been extremely successful. Please do seek out and engage with MPs at these courts on the dates below.
Upcoming dates are as follows:
- 12th June, 12:45-14:00 – Nottingham Crown Court – Midland Circuit, Harpreet Sandhu KC;
- 12th June, 12:45-14:00 – Harrow Crown Court – South Eastern Circuit, Claire Davies KC;
- 19th June, 12:45-14:00 – Harrow Crown Court (2nd visit, different MP) – South Eastern Circuit, Claire Davies KC;
- 26th June, 12.45-14:00 – Northampton Crown Court – Midland Circuit, Harpreet Sandhu KC;
- 2nd July, 12:45-14:00 – Croydon Crown Court – South Eastern Circuit, Claire Davies KC.
- 3rd July, 13.15-14.15 – Lincoln Crown Court – Midlnd Circuit, Harpreet Sandhu KC;
- 3rd July, 12:45-14:00 – Bolton Crown Court – Northern Circuit, Samantha Hillas KC
- 10th July, 12:45-14:00 – Caernarfon Crown Court – Wales and Chester, Chris Rees KC;
- 17th July, 12:45-14:00 – Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court – Wales and Chester, Chris Rees KC;
- 21st July, 12:45-14:00 – Bolton Crown Court (2nd visit, different MP) – Northern Circuit, Samantha Hillas KC
- 21st July, 12:45-14:00 – Newcastle Crown Court – North Eastern Circuit, Caroline Goodwin KC
Please contact your Circuit Leader if you would like to help, and for more details.
CBA Vice Chair applications are now open
Nominations are invited for the position of Vice Chair of the Criminal Bar Association.
These should be sent by email to the Administrator.
Nominations must be received by 16.00hrs on Friday 19th June 2026.
Those wishing to stand must be King’s Counsel and have been a member of the CBA for a minimum of 5 years having served on one of the CBA committees during that time. If you are interested in applying but would like further details of what the role entails, please contact Andrew Thomas KC at [email protected]
Nominees must be proposed and seconded by members of the CBA by email to the Administrator.
The successful candidate will be expected to take over as Chair in September 2027, having served as Vice Chair the previous 12 months.
Call for parties interested in forming a CBA Black Barristers’ Committee
Those interested in becoming members of a Criminal Bar Association Black Barristers’ committee should contact CBA secretary Matilda Robinson-Murphy at [email protected] in order to receive details of its first meeting, where proposed terms of reference will be discussed and drafted.
This committee is being founded to support Black Counsel membership of the criminal bar but application is also open to other criminal barristers who support that aim.
The Old Bailey Choir Summer Concert – 23rd June 2026
The Old Bailey Choir will be performing music featuring London and the City of London. To top it off we will be joined by some of the Pearly Kings and Queens to lead us all in some of the well-known songs about London.
All this will take place, not down by the Old Bull and Bush, but in the Grand Hall at the Old Bailey.
The choir are delighted to be joined by the renowned actor, Robert Glenister, who will be performing some suitable readings to accompany the music.
There will be a bar open from 5.45pm. Come a little early and, if you would like, take a glass through with you to enjoy as the concert unfolds.
Please scan the QR code (within the attachment) to book your tickets.
Gray’s Inn Summer Concert – 16th June, 6.30pm
Enjoy an evening of Choral Music with Instruments performed by the Bar Musical Society, under the direction of Nikolas Clarke. Music of 16th and 17th Century – poetry with the St Genesius Choir.
Programme highlights include J S Bach’s glorious Motet for Double Choir
Komm, Jesu, komm text by Paul Thiemich.
The concert is free and open to all.
Book now for the supper which follows the concert, a special opportunity for Members and the public to meet the performers and enjoy the convivial atmosphere of a summer’s evening in the Inn. For booking and further details see here.
Kingston Summer Party
The Kingston Judges and the Surrey and South London Bar Mess Invite you to a SUMMER PARTY on Thursday 16th July between 4.30pm – 7.30pm at Kingston Crown Court
Drinks & Canapes
Barristers, Advocates, Solicitors, court staff & professional court users are all welcome
Enquiries to Keith Hadrill [email protected] or Ryan Richter [email protected]
In Memoriam
Richard Wormald KC – 3 Raymond Buildings
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Richard Wormald KC on 28th May 2026.
Richard was a much-loved member of his chambers, and of the criminal bar as a whole. With a wonderful voice, and great presence, Richard was always quick to laugh, and to make one laugh. He was a joy to be with or against in any case.
Raymond Buildings has said that it will publish a full tribute to Richard in due course, but till then, here is a personal message from his past pupil and friend Luke Ponte KC:
To think of Richard Wormald KC is to hear his laugh.
He was my pupil supervisor at 3 Raymond Buildings, many years ago, and the experience was everything that you would have hoped for and feared.
He would whizz us to Court on his motorbike, my arms around his waist, my eyes tightly shut.
Arriving with a minute or two to spare, to the bewilderment of the client and to the very great relief of the instructing solicitor. There was no obvious sign, as yet, of his having read (or even got his hands on) the papers.
And then I would sit behind him in Court, and everything made sense. The man was a mesmerist. Without a note in sight, and with complete command of the facts and the law and the room, he was by turns charming, sensitive, mischievous, lethal. It turned out that this brigand was an advocate with the most perfect of pitch.
And over the months of the pupillage, and the years that followed, another Richard revealed itself: however much the life and soul, always on hand to talk through a problem, always generous with the best advice, always kind. He was an unimprovable Father Christmas at the chambers children’s do, because it was his nature to laugh and to love and to give.
Richard had the perfect punchline to my pupillage, after three months clinging onto him on the bike. I was to represent him for totting up at Horseferry Road Magistrates’ Court. Never has a plea in mitigation been so overprepared. Although it was the palest of imitations of him, it somehow did the trick. He was fearless, in court and in life and in death. His confidence in others inspired confidence in themselves.
Richard’s death is an immeasurable loss to chambers, and to the criminal bar, and to the countless people who loved him.
Richard will be missed enormously. Our heartfelt condolences go to his wife Hannah, his children, his wider family, colleagues and friends.
Judith Benson
We were saddened to learn of the passing of Judith Benson on 28th May 2026.
Judith practised first as a defence advocate before joining 187 Chambers and later moving to the Crown Prosecution Service as an employed advocate. She was widely respected by colleagues across the profession and will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, generosity, and wonderful sense of humour. Those who worked with her, whether alongside her or against her in court, will remember her fondly and greatly miss her presence.
Our thoughts and condolences are with Judith’s family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time.
A tribute from the CPS:
“Our much beloved colleague Judith Benson passed away in hospital on Thursday 28th May 2026.
Judith joined the CPS in the course of the pandemic from the Bar where she was a tenant in Chambers.
She initially spent her time with the London RASSO team before joining the Crown Advocate Unit in July 2021. She remained with the team working steadfastly on her trial work despite her cancer diagnosis in December 2023, refusing to take time away from the role.
Judith always had a smile and was the source of so much joy and laughter whenever you were with her.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Judith’s family, her husband Paul and their children Hannah and James.”
If you wish to leave a memory or message for Judith’s family, you may do so here.
Yours,
Riel Karmy-Jones KC Andrew Thomas KC
Chair Vice Chair