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Dear Members,
Regular social and educational events are a key feature of any thriving Circuit and the European Circuit is no different. With this in mind, we have planned for 2010:
As many of you know from experience, not only do these events enable us to meet with fellow advocates from across many different jurisdictions to discuss law and practice in the European and international context, but also to socialise informally with one another to share ideas, experiences and opportunities.
I look forward to meeting you over the coming months and extend that welcome to any practitioners who are not already members but have an interest in European practice: every Circuit is dependent on the activity and involvement of its members, and I hope that as many of you as possible will support the planned events. If you would like to get involved or have any suggestions for future events, please contact our Administrator, catherine@europeancircuit.com.
Annual Lecture by Master of the Rolls
24/06/2010, London
The Master of the Rolls delivered the Circuit's first Annual Lecture entitled "The Incoming Tide: The Civil Law, the Common Law, Referees and Advocates" on 24 June 2010 to a mixed audience of barristers, solicitors, students and academics. The transcript is available to download, below.
mr-euro-circuit-lecture-june-2010
Circuit Leader's Blog - News from the European Circuit
Spring 2010, London
In his latest 'blog', Fergus Randolph QC reports on the success of our recent talk on the Lisbon Treaty, as well as plans for future events including the Annual Conference in Paris in November 2010.
EuroCircuit Leader's Blog March10
EuroCircuit Leader's Blog Dec09
The Lisbon Treaty & the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights: How they will change the EU
27/04/2010, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, London
European Circuiteer & Committee Member Dr Gunnar Beck provided an overview of the Treaty and the EU Charter with some focus on legal uncertainty and legal reasoning, with his colleague Dr Tom O'Shea of Queen Mary, University of London considering the tax implications.
Download a copy of Gunnar's presentation below.
BECK IALS 27 04 10 Part II EU Charter
Private Client Issues in English & Spanish Law
13-15/05/2010, Malaga
This event, organised by the Law Society & the Malaga Bar, and with the support of the British Spanish Law Association, takes place in Malaga from 13 to 15 May 2010. Circuiteers are invited to attend, with a packed programme of topics of interest to property and family practitioners in particular.
SPAIN Hotel and Guest Booking Form
SPAIN Delegate Registration Form
SPAIN Final%20Programme%20for%20publicity%2030.3
The Lisbon Treaty - How it Changes the EU
25/02/2010, London
An evening seminar on the Lisbon Treaty was held recently at Gray's Inn.
Dr Gunnar Beck gave an in-depth analysis of the Treaty and its implications, which was followed by lively discussions.
The Treaty came into force on 1st December 2009 and makes substantial changes to the operation of the EU law both at the international and domestic level and across most policy areas.
Gunnar's presentation is available to download, below.
G Beck The Lisbon Treaty Presentation (Power Point)
3rd Bilateral Seminar of the Bar Council & German Bar Association (DAV)
30/04/2010, Lincoln's Inn
The Bars of Germany and England & Wales come together once again with an event focusing on “Recent Developments in Collective Actions”. The reception is being sponsored by the European Circuit, and Circuit Leaders, current and immediate past, Fergus Randolph QC and Gerard McDermott QC, as well as the Circuit Junior John Sorabji, are among the speakers at what will be an ideal networking opportunity for Circuiteers. Further information together with booking instructions are available on the attached flyer.
Accredited for 2.5 CPD hours
DAV International Seminar-30April2010-Poster-English
The 5th World (Referral) Bar Conference
01/04/2010, Sydney, Australia
Circuiteers are invited to attend the 5th World (Referral) Bar Conference will take place in Sydney at Easter (1-4 April 2010). This is the only conference in the world which brings together members from the eight jurisdictions that have referral bar professions: Australia, England & Wales, Hong Kong SAR, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
To register and for further information please see the Bar Council website at www.barcouncil.org.uk/news/events
5th World Bar Conference advert
5th_World_Bar_Conf_2010_03
European Contract Law
18-19 March 2010, Trier
Circuiteers' attention is brought to the following event, organised by the Academy of European Law.
Consumer contract law and contract law are important priorities in the field of justice.
Viviane Reding, the European Commissioner-designate for Justice, praised the Draft Common Frame of Reference at a hearing before the European Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee on 12 January 2010 as a "wonderful piece of work" and as the "embryo for a European Civil Code" to which one day we should arrive.
The conference will discuss content and perspectives of a future ‘political’ CFR. It will then discuss the state of play of the future Consumer Rights Directive and ask whether and how the development of the CFR and EU consumer contract legislation could be synchronised and connected.
For further details, visit http://www.era.int.
Taking into account the positions of the European Commission, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament, participants will discuss whether the CFR can serve as an ‘optional instrument’.
Registrations reaching ERA before 18 February 2010 will be eligible for a 10% discount.
Annual Conference 2009
October 2009, Warsaw
This year's conference was held in Warsaw 16-17 October 2009.
See the Leader's Blog for a further report on its success. Next year's Annual Conference will take place in Paris in October 2010.
The Warsaw conference involved:
Friday 16 October
Morning / Lunchtime – Conference registration followed by Visit to the Supreme Court of Poland
Afternoon – Conference at the offices of Wardynski & Partners inc. Keynote Speech & substantive sessions on: Cross-Border Issues in Civil & Family Matters
Evening – Reception hosted by HM’s Ambassador to Poland
Saturday 17 October
Morning – Conference continued with sessions on:
Collective Redress: Views from the UK, America & Poland; Regulation of Professionals & its Impact on Cross-Border Practice; Financial Regulation in the Wake of Crises
Afternoon – Trip to Wilanow Castle & its collections
Evening – Conference Dinner at the Bristol Hotel
EUROCIRCUIT Warsaw 09 - FLYER
EUROCIRCUIT Warsaw 09 - PROGRAMME
Berlin seminar hosted by the German Bar, DAV - 17 April 2009
17 April 2009, Germany
Following a highly successful event in London last year, the Interntional Relations Committee of the Bar Council hosted a joint event with the German Bar, DAV on 17 April 2009 in Berlin, with the support of the European Circuit and the Bar European Group.
It proved a perfect opportunity for members to network with German lawyers with an interest in UK and European law. Speaking at the event on personal injury litigation was the Circuit Leader, Gerard McDermott, QC.
Strong links have been forged between the England & Wales Bar and DAV, and it is hoped that reciprocal events will become commonplace.
DAV 17 April - Programme & Booking Form
American Counsel Association event - Global Perspectives in Appellate Law
April, Conneticut, USA
The American Counsel Association, with which the Circuit has close ties, cosponsored with the Connecticut Bar Association an exciting program entitled Global Perspectives in Appellate Law at the Connecticut Bar headquarters in New Britain (near Hartford) on April 3, 2009. Approximately 50 appellate lawyers, mostly but not entirely from Connecticut, attended the seminar, and the many comments received afterwards, according to the current President Wes Horton were "uniformly raves." Attendees at the Brussels conference last year will remember Wes and his knowledge on appeals. Gerard McDermott, QC was the Circuit representative in Conneticut and gave his perspective on appeals to the Court of Appeal, House of Lords and ECJ by way of comparison to how things are in the States.
Read Wes' report on the event below.
ACA President reports on Conneticut conference
Russian Extradition seminar - 10 March 2009
10 March 2009, Inner Temple, London
A joint event was held by the British-Russian Law Association and the International Relations Committee of the Bar Council.
BRLA / IRC Russia Extradition event
Christmas Reception
18 December 2008, London
A drinks reception for Circuit members and guests was held at Essex Court Chambers on Thursday 18th Decemeber.
Annual Conference in Brussels - A Report from the Circuit Leader, Gerard McDermott QC
Brussels
Brussels was the location for the European Circuit recent Annual Conference (16-18 October). Taking the theme of European & International Practice: Contrasts & Comparisons from Regional Bars, the Conference attracted advocates from across the European Union.
With Eleanor Sharpston QC the senior Advocate General of the European Court of Justice providing the keynote address, the line-up of speakers also included representatives of the Brussels Barreaux and the American Counsel Association.
The packed conference schedule began with a welcome reception at the Residence of the UK Permanent Representative to the EU. There was also a visit to the Palais de Justice to observe court proceedings, followed by lunch in the Salle du Conseil courtesy of hosts the Brussels Barreaux.
Gerard McDermott, QC, Circuit Leader said, 'As with all our Annual Conferences, Brussels provided the perfect opportunity to strengthen links with foreign Bars and learn from one another. A key role of the Circuit is to support members in developing their cross-border practices. To that end, we are creating an on-line member directory to enable expertise to be sourced from overseas.
Summary of Keynote Speech - Eleanor Sharpston, QC Advocate General of the ECJ
Brussels photo album
Summary of Private Law Remedies Session
Summary of Criminal law session
Public Affairs & the US Supreme Court - Wes Horton
US Perspective on Enforcement of Cross - Border Family Disputes - Barbara Howard
Anglo-German Seminar on Current Developments in EU & Commercial Law
Gray's Inn, London
The International Committee of the Bar Council in co-operation with Deutscher Anwaltverein (DAV) with the support of the European Circuit and the Bar European Group presented a seminar in April 2008, followed by a drinks reception.
The event was chaired by the Hon. Sir Konrad Schiemann of the European Court of Justice and included the following topics:
- English, German and EU perspectives on Oral Appellate Advocacy
- Damages claims against the State
- Common frame of reference: latest developments
European Circuit Annual Conference - Luxembourg
18 - 20 October 2007, Luxembourg
**Materials now available**
This year's Annual Conference took place in Luxembourg with "Evolving Law - International Perspectives on Cross-Border Legal Practice" as its theme. It was held jointly with the Bar of Luxembourg and with the support of the American Counsel Association.
Featuring speakers from the UK, Europe and the US, the Conference included:
* Thursday evening - Welcome Reception, British Ambassador's Residence
* Friday morning - Visit to ECJ & discussions with Judge Forwood QC
* Friday afternoon - Conference Sessions on Procedural Innovations on IT in the Courts and the Use of Oral Advocacy
* Friday evening - Conference Dinner with the Luxembourg Bar at the Cercle Munster
* Saturday morning - Conference Sessions on Class Actions
*Saturday afternoon - Wine tasting & lunch, plus look at the River Mosel
The Conference was accredited for CPD purposes.
EC Luxembourg 07 - Overview
IT in the Courts - Mr Justice Ryder
Wes Horton on Oral Advocacy
Richard Plender QC on Oral Advocacy
Visit to The Hague Tribunals - 3.5 CPD hours
06 - 07 September 2007, The Hague
The European Circuit of the Bar in association with the Bar European Group organised a joint visit to The Hague in Sept 2007. The event included a visit to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia at the invitation of Judge Bonomy to observe the Milutinovic Trial and for disucssions with the Judge, followed by a visit to the International Court of Justice for discussions with Dame Rosalyn Higgins. In the afternoon, delegates enjoyed a tour of the Peace Palace Library.
The Hague - Programme
European Circuit Annual Conference - Rome
19 - 20 October 2006, Rome
The 2006 Annual Conference was held in Rome in October. The Conference theme was in two parts: "Strategic Issues in International Litigation" and "Living Law: The Innovative Role of Case Law", and was accredited for 8.5 CPD hours.
By way of overview, the conference comprised:
* Thursday 19 October
Evening: Welcome Reception
* Friday 20 October
Morning: Visit to the Italian Supreme Court
Afternoon: "Strategic Issues in International Litigation"
Evening: Dinner at Palazzo Massimo alle Colonne
* Saturday 21 October
Morning: with "Living Law: The Innovative Role of Case Law".
Informal Lunch
The conference was held in conjunction with the Cassa Nazionale di Previdenza e di Assistenza Forense and the Consiglio Nazionale Forense, with the participation of the American Counsel Association and the British Italian Lawyers Association.
Rome - Venues and Hotel
Hotel Cicerone Booking Form
Rome Programme
The Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements 2005: 'The opportunities and challenges for legal practitioners dealing with international dispute resolution
London
On Friday, 7th July 2006, between 3.30 and 5.30 pm, the European Circuit of the Bar of England and Wales, in association with the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, is holding a lecture on The Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements 2005, entitled "The opportunities and challenges for legal practitioners dealing with international dispute resolution".
The Programme
" The Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements 2005 by Marcin Radwan-Röhrenschef of WardyDski & Partners (Warsaw, Poland)
" The Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in the United States by John L. Hardiman of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP (London)
" The Enforcement of Foreign Competition Decisions and Judgments in the United States by Dorothy Hansberry-BieguDska, of WardyDski & Partners (Warsaw, Poland)
The Venue: The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn
Conference Suite
33 Chancery Lane
London
No Admission Fee
Please RSVP by 30th June 2006 to
melissa.cacciotti@lw.com
or
beata.niemczuk@wardynski.com.pl
Evening Seminar on "European Justice and Home Affairs: From Policy to Practice"
Brussels
The European Circuit of the Bar of England and Wales and The Centre invite you to a panel discussion on: "European Justice and Home Affairs: From Policy to Practice" at The Centre, 22 Avenue Marnix, 1000 Brussels, on Thursday 6 April.
The Panel will consist of:
- Luigi Soreca, Head of Strategic Policy Unit, DG Justice, Freedom and Security, European Commission, who will speak on 'The Future of JFS Policy';
- Jonathan Sweet, Counsellor, Justice & Home Affairs Section, United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union, who will speak on 'Facilitating European Legal and Judicial Co-operation in Practice; and
- Mario Filipponi, European Counsel, Verizon Business, who will speak on 'Living with Data Retention and Privacy Measures.
The debate will be chaired by Gerard McDermott QC, Deputy Leader of the European Circuit, and will run from 17.30 to 19.00. The debate will be followed by a drinks reception.
The Panel Session is accredited for 1.5 CPD points.
To register, please send an email by March 31 to meet@thecentre.eu.com with 'European Justice and Home Affairs in the subject field and stating clearly your name and organisation.
For directions to The Centre, please visit www.thecentre.eu.com/directions
European Circuit Annual Conference
7-8 October 2005, Madrid
6 CPD hours are available for this programme
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT VISIT - THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER 2005
CONFERENCE AT THE ILLUSTRE COLLEGIO DE ABOGADOS DE MADRID PREMISES - FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER 2005
The theme of this year's conference is cross-border tort liability. This is a fast changing field. From being predominantly a field of national competence, the globalisation of the corporate world has led to increasing convergence of regulatory regimes in finance, competition, mergers and the environment. Criminal sanctions are becoming more common and are required by recent EU directives in the field of the environment. Arising from the regulatory regime are damages claims, frequently mounted on behalf of a class of claimants. The legal rules applicable to damages claims are still in large part to be worked out. No longer can tort law be considered of national interest only. Clear and transparent rules on the substance, the applicable law and the relevant jurisdiction are needed. Pending such rules, we will be examining the advantages and disadvantages of the various fora open to claimants.
TRANSLATION FROM ENGLISH TO SPANISH WILL BE PROVIDED
Madrid Programme
Annual General Meeting
13/04/05, Essex Court Chambers
The European Circuit will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 13th April at 17.30 in the Arbitration room at Essex Court Chambers. The Chairman Lord Dan Brennan QC will be giving a State of the Circuit address at the Meeting and there will be drinks served afterwards.
Fall Lecture: "The EU Charter - Threat or Bonus?"
Old Hall, Lincoln's Inn
Our Fall Conference to be held on 7 November 2004, at 5 :30 in Old Hall, Lincoln's Inn, will be presented by Sir David Edward, formerly Judge of the Court of Justice.
It will be hosted in association with Lincoln's Inn and the European Circuit.
We hope you will join us for drinks after the lecture.
To book, please send an e-mail to Melissa Cacciotti at: melissa.cacciotti@lw.com.
Payments can be sent in advance by cheque (payable to the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn) to:
Miss Lucy Paterson
Essex Court Chambers
24 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London WC2A 3EG
DX 320
If not registration on the night will take place between 5:00 - 5:30 pm. The lecture is CPD accredited.
Flyer
Cross-Border Litigation in Europe
7 October 2004, Budapest, Hungary
The European Circuit will be hosting it annual conference in Budapest this year. The conference will be looking at issues such as: the European System of Private International Law, how Europe has influenced civil law and litigating in Europe, as well as focusing on cooperation between lawyers.
This course is CPD accredited with at least 5 CPD credits.
Budapest Essentials
Budapest Programme
BEG/European Circuit Summer Party
21/07/2004, London
It will take place on 21 July at 6 pm on the roof terrace of Blackstone Chambers.
The entrance fee is £10.00 and we would request that you please book in advance. Cheques should be made out to the Bar European Group and sent to(no tickets will be issued): Julie Anderson, 20 Essex Street, London WC2R 3AL, DX 0009, tel: 020 78421263, or, janderson@20essexst.com
Summer Event Flyer
BEG CONFERENCE 29-30 May 2004 - MALTA
Malta
We will be discussing two themes: "European Citizenship: Rights without Duties?" and "Extending the Frontiers on Non-Discrimination?".
After the warm welcome but unseasonably chilly surroundings of Stockholm and the Baltic Sea last year, we would like to entice you to the warmth of the Mediterranean and the island of Malta for the Bar European Group's 2004 Conference. Malta is one of the accession states and is therefore a particularly appropriate venue in 2004. The formal part of proceedings - the meeting itself - will start on the morning of Saturday 29th May and finish at lunchtime on Sunday, 30th May; and will be held at the Le Meridien Phoenicia Hotel on the outskirts of Valletta.
Conference Information Package and Registration
Annual General Meeting
Winter, London
Annual European Circuit Conference, 'EU Enlargement - Opportunities for Advocates'
28 - 29/11/03, London
This year's conference will be looking at the issue of enlargement
and the various opportunities and challenges for advocates.
May 2004 will mark the entry of 10 new countries into the EU and as
such is unprecedented. The 10 new Member States, who have
implemented to a greater extent the current acquis communautaire but
have relatively little experience in applying it, will find
themselves on a par with other Member States in terms of operating
every day within the greater legal and political context that is the
EU.
It is intended that the conference provides an opportunity for lawyers
to discuss and exchange views on the effect the enlargement will
have on legal practices across Europe.
5 CPD hours.
Annual Bar Council Conference
11 October 2003, London
Workshop on: Influencing the Course of EU Legislation
Many if not most areas of UK legislation are influenced by principles of EU law, either directly as in employment law or indirectly as in family law or commercial law. The range of EU measures now enxtends to criminal law with a topical example being the framework decision on the European Arrest Warrant.
This workshop aims to give the Bar an understanding of the EU legislative process. Thre is now a specific Bar EU Committee charged with monitoring developments within the EU and the workshop will examine the sort of issues which could usefully be addressed by this Committee. It will also highlight the posts within the EU in which barristers are to be found.
Chair - Lord Brennan QC
Speakers - Paul Adamson - Professor Gviovanni Comande - Janathan Faull - Evanna Fruithof - Theresa Villiers
The Bar Conference will be held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, for more information please contact the conference organisers:
Judy Lane Consulting - email: jlconferences@btopenworld.com or
for the European Circuit:
Melissa Cacciotti - email: melissa.cacciotti@lw.com
Registration Information
European Arrest Warrants and Extradition
San Marino
European Arrest Warrants and Extradition - 2 days. For further details please contact melissa.cacciotti@lw.com.
Advocacy Before International Tribunals
London
Spring Lecture - the Treasurer of Inner Temple, Rt Hon Lord Justice Schiemann as chairman and Geoffrey Nice QC, principal attorney for the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia, as speaker have kindly agreed to speak on: "Advocacy before International Criminal Tribunals" on 7 April 2003. After the talk please join us for a glass of wine. The event will be hosted jointly by Inner Temple and the European Circuit and will take place in Inner Temple Hall.
It is intended that the lecture provides an overview of the role of the prosecution and defence advocates before international criminal tribunals, pointing out that some of the advocacy is in the form of processing documentation and evidence, as well as providing some insight into the procedural arrangements for such tribunals.
To book, please telephone Katie Berzak on 020 7797 8183 or email: cpdbooking@innertemple.org.uk If not registration on the night will take place 6:00 - 6:30 pm. The lecture is CPD accredited.
Annual European Circuit Conference
Dublin
After the success of our Inaugural Conference held last December in Brussels, we are hoping to interest you this year with a conference in Dublin on The Impact of Financial Regulation On Legal Practice on 7 December 2002. Please see attached draft programme for further details. The conference will be followed by our Annual European Circuit dinner. Also attached are details regarding the accommodation and location of the conference and dinner. More information will be posted on this website as soon as we have the finalised programme and venue confirmations.
European Circuit Annual General Meeting
London
European Circuit Annual General Meeting followed by Autumn Lecture on "Europe After Nice" chaired by the Rt. Hon. Lord Slynn of Hadley with Judge Nicholas Forwood QC, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the European Communities, as speaker.
AGM/Europe After Nice - the Rt. Hon. Lord Slynn of Hadley as chair and Judge Nicholas Forwood QC, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the European Communities, as speaker have kindly agreed to speak on "Europe After Nice" on 14th November 2002. After the talk please join us for a glass of wine. This will take place in Inner Temple Hall. All members are invited. Admission is £5 and students are free. For further information please contact melissa.cacciotti@lw.com.
The talk will be preceded by the Annual General Meeting of the European Circuit. All officers except the Circuit Leader are up for election. Proposals for officers need to be received by Melissa Cacciotti by Monday 30 October 2002. Could suggestions for the Agenda please be submitted to Melissa as soon as possible.
Europe: Opportunities for the Bar, Bar Conference
London
At the Bar Conference on 28th September 2002 in London, the European Circuit in conjunction with the Bar European Group is presenting a workshop entitled 'Europe: Opportunities for the Bar'. It will be chaired by Judge Forwood from the European Court of First Instance in Luxembourg and aims to provide ideas and inspiration for those contemplating different aspects of European practice. Participants will be drawn from across the range of areas of practice of the Bar and from practitioners based in the UK and in continental Europe.
Dispute Resolution from the European Perspective
Brussels
On 14th-16th June 2002 the European Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators held its Spring Meeting in Brussels in conjunction with the European Circuit. This event focused on 'Dispute Resolution from the European Perspective'. The programme included attitudes to arbitration and ADR in the European Institutions, e-commerce, conventional lightweight procedures, as well as arbitration and mediation in Belgium. There were also be visits to the EU institutions and social activities.
Visit to the On Berlin Bar; 'Some Insights into German/British Litigation'
Berlin
On 19th April 2002 the English Bar visited the Berlin Bar. The event, entitled 'Some Insights into German/British Litigation' was organised by the International Relations Committee and the European Circuit. The programme included visits to civil and criminal courts accompanied by lawyers of the Berliner Anwaltsverein with joint discussions and briefings during the visit. In the afternoon there was a seminar on selected topics of Civil and Criminal Law, and the day was rounded off with a social event in the evening. Members of the BGCC were also invited to participate in the Friday programme.
European Circuit Inaugural Conference 'Transnational Practice in Europe for Advocates'
Brussels
The results and selected speeches given at the Conference in Brussels are available on this website.