I am pleased to welcome you to the European Circuit of the Bar of England and Wales, the first Circuit to be established in several hundred years. In the five years since inauguration, the European Circuit has been increasingly successful in our aim of bringing together barristers practising European law (in its broadest sense) and barristers working in Europe, as well as European advocates with a connection to the UK. The strong membership now comprises of advocates working in private practice, as well as those employed by businesses and other organisations, across the European Union.

One key aim of the Europe Circuit is to enable Circuiteers to meet and discuss law and practice in the European and international context. We do so through staging a series of events, most notably a Conference in one of the European capital cities each year, most recently held in Rome in October 2006. Such events provide a perfect forum in which to gain insight from participants, drawn from across the European Union and more recently the United States, on issues affecting law and practice in their particular jurisdictions. Likewise, such events also provide the chance to network informally with fellow advocates to share ideas and experiences and discuss opportunities. I know that I speak for many when I say that these events are of real relevance and benefit to Circuiteers, advocates delivering and developing our practices in what are challenging and competitive times.

Over my tenure, I also want to look at ways in which we can develop the website so that it becomes a regular port of call and source of information for advocates practising European law and working in Europe: any views on this, and how we can continue to meet Circuiteers’ needs more generally, would be most welcome.

With few areas of UK law unaffected by European influence, and a growth in cross-border practices, trends which looks set to continue with the likes of the Clementi Reforms and the European Services Directive, I encourage fellow barristers from across the practice areas to join the Circuit. Equally, I also welcome, in light of the European Union’s continued expansion, an increased representation of European advocates to the Circuit. We have much to learn from and contribute to each other’s practices. The membership subscription is very reasonably priced at £25 / €42 per annum (and only £5 / €7 per annum for those in the first three years of call) with application forms available on this website. In particular, I very much look forward to meeting new and old Circuiteers alike at the events we have planned for the coming year.

Gerard McDermott QC
Leader of the European Circuit

Inaugural speech by David Vaughan QC
Lord Dan Brennan QC, First Leader of the European Circuit