B-CLIPS Scheme
We will be updating the website shortly with a separate page on the Birmingham Chancery Litigants In Person Scheme, but for now please see here for details of the scheme and how to volunteer for it.
Event: 14 November 2024 – “Future Trends in Insolvency Litigation & Directors’ Liability”
The MCCBA and Birmingham BPC Forum are pleased to present this event, which will take place on 14 November 2024 at St Philips Chambers, 55 Temple Row, Birmingham.
Future Trends in Insolvency Litigation & Directors’ Liability
HHJ Rawlings: “Too Much Foss Harbottle Nothing?”
Brid Holden (Gowling WLG): “Directors Disqualification: Emerging Trends”
Chris Umfreville (Aston University): “Compensation orders and Undertakings: Emerging Opportunities”
5.30pm for 6.00pm start – networking and nibbles to follow
Attendance is free but please register via secretary@mccba.co.uk
Birmingham BPC Women’s Network – A Message from our Chair
Dear all,
I’m delighted to announce the launch of the ‘Birmingham BPC Women’s Network’. We hope to organise a few social events a year for female BPC practitioners and the female judiciary who sit in the Birmingham BPC (full and part time).
Our first event will be for female MCCBA members and the female judiciary, held at No5 Chambers, 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham from 5pm on 6 November 2024.
HHJ Emma Kelly, who has supported me making this idea a reality, will say a few introductory words, and we will have drinks, refreshments and an opportunity to socialise and get to know each other better. We hope the events will promote a sense of inclusivity for women working in our practice area and we aim, over time, to boost retention rates for women.
I really hope that lots of you will support this first event. It would be great to get a really strong turn out.
Please rsvp (for the purposes of understanding catering needs) to me directly at chair@mccba.co.uk (please note the gender neutral change to the email address!!)
Best wishes,
Louise
Louise Corfield
MCCBA Chair
MCCBA Chair
Applications for the MCCBA Black Mini Pupillage Scheme
Applications are now open for the MCCBA’s Black Mini Pupillage Scheme, which is aimed at increasing and promoting the diversity of barristers in our practice area in which Black barristers are underrepresented.
Details of the Scheme are available here and you can download an application form (MS Word) here.
Birmingham BPC Form Event 24 September 2024 – Mr Justice Foxton
The MCCBA and Birmingham Law Society, as part of the Birmingham Business and Property Courts Forum, are delighted to present the latest in our series of events. The former Judge in Charge of the Commercial Court, Mr Justice Foxton, will speak on “Ten Great Courtroom Dramas and What We Can Learn From Them”. This event will also be an opportunity to introduce Mr Justice Michael Green as the incoming Business and Property Courts Supervising Judge for the Midland, Western and Wales Circuits and Mr Justice Henshaw as the new Judge in Charge of the Commercial Court. Drinks will follow the presentation, to provide a networking forum for the whole dispute resolution community.
Please click here for event and booking details
Panel Recording – FDR Hearings in the Birmingham BPC
Our recent talk and discussion panel on Financial Dispute Resolution hearings in the Birmingham Business and Property Courts, featuring HHJ Williams.
Appointment of Lord Justice Zacaroli
The Committee and Members of the MCCBA are delighted by the announcement that Mr Justice Zacaroli, Supervising Judge for the Business and Property Courts on the Midlands, West and Wales Circuits, has been appointed to the Court of Appeal.
We are thrilled to see His Lordship’s well-deserved promotion and hugely grateful for everything he has done for those on Circuit whilst he has been our supervising judge. We wish him well in his new appointment.
17th June – FDR Hearings in the Birmingham Business and Property Courts
On 17 June 2024 the MCCBA will be hosting a panel event alongside the Birmingham BPC Forum discussing FDR Hearings in the Birmingham Business and Property Courts. The panel will be hosted by HHJ Williams and include solicitors and barristers who will be discussing the practicalities of FDR hearings and how to get the most out of them.
The event will start at 5.30pm at No5 Chambers at 103 Colmore Row, with drinks and samosas. The panel discussion will start at 6.30pm. Both solicitors and barristers can attend this event, so it will also be a great opportunity to network with chancery and commercial practitioners from across the Midlands.
Please RSVP to secretary@mccba.co.uk if you would like to attend.
MCCBA Annual Dinner – 17th May 2024
The MCCBA Annual Dinner for 2024 will take place on 17th May 2024 at The Grand Hotel, Birmingham. Our guest speaker will be Mr Justice Zacaroli, the Business and Property Courts Supervising Judge for the Midland Circuit.
An invitation has been sent to all MCCBA members – if you have not received this, please contact secretary@mccba.co.uk
Practice Development Seminar – 1st May 2024, 6pm
6pm to 8pm at 3PB Birmingham, The Colmore Building, 20 Colmore Circus, B4 6AT
Open to MCCBA members and to pupil barristers interested in Chancery and Commercial law.
Want to boost your career development and improve your current trajectory?
Aimed at Business and Property barristers who are in their first 10 years of practice, this panel discussion will be hosted by Ali Tabari (St Phillips Chambers) with contributions from DDJ Simon Bradshaw and DDJ Rebecca Keeves (both of Cornwall St Chambers) and Louise Corfield (No5 Chambers). This discussion will observe The Chatham House Rule, to allow for honest questions and frank answers and will cover topics including:
- How to promote yourself and build your profile inc social media
- Professional and internal Networking
- Getting into the directories and progressing within them
- Building relationships with the judiciary
- Part time judicial appointments
- Having the right relationship with your clerks
- Developing your CV within and outside of the bar
RSVP to secretary@mccba.co.uk
Webinar – Committal Procedure and Practice: The New CPR Pt 81
Tuesday 18th May, 6 pm to 7 pm – online Webinar via Zoom.
Part 81 of the Civil Procedure Rules was comprehensively overhauled in October 2020, simplifying and streamlining the procedure for committal for contempt. In this MCCBA online seminar Simon Bradshaw (Cornwall Street Barristers) will describe the new rules and review the key elements of committal applications, and His Honour Judge Rawlings will give a judicial perspective of committal hearings.
Please join by following this link and entering your details on the booking page together with any advance questions for the panellists. This event is open to non-members so do please forward the link to any colleagues who you think may be interested.
COVID-19: Notice to Birmingham Court Users (QBD and CC)
His Honour Judge Worster, Acting Designated Civil Judge for Birmingham, has released updated guidance as to the operation of the Birmingham High Court (Queen’s Bench Division) and the County Court at Birmingham during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notice for Court Users – Birmingham QB and County Court (revised 18 May 2020) v3
Annual Dinner Cancellation
In light of the current risk posed by COVID-19, it has been decided, with regret, to cancel the annual dinner on 20 March 2020 (this Friday).
At present, the plan is to re-arrange the dinner for a date in the late Summer/early Autumn. The committee will be in touch with further details when they are decided.
MCCBA Annual Dinner, Friday 20th March 2020 – NOW CANCELLED
The MCCBA is delighted to announce that we are honoured to be hosting Lord Justice Newey as the guest speaker for our 2020 Annual Dinner, which will take place on Friday 20th March at Hotel du Vin, Birmingham.
Lord Justice Newey will be familiar to members through his role as our previous presider in the Business and Property Courts in Birmingham.
Please RSVP to the Secretary to confirm attendance and provide details of any dietary requirements.
UPDATE 16th MARCH: Regrettably, owing to the COVID-19 situation, this event has been cancelled. The MCCBA Committee plans to re-arrange the dinner for later in the year.
Mohammed Zaman QC – our new Chairman
The committee of the MCCBA is delighted to announce that Mohammed Zaman QC is to be the new Chairman of the Association in succession to Ed Pepperall QC, who as previously announced is appointed to the High Court.
Pro Bono Costs Orders
Association members undertaking pro bono work are reminded of the availability of pro bono costs orders. If successful at a hearing, a pro bono representative can seek a costs order in the sum that would have normally have been billed, with such costs going to the Access to Justice Foundation.
Ed Pepperall QC appointed to the High Court
The Committee and members of the MCCBA are delighted to be able to congratulate our Chairman, Ed Pepperall QC, on his appointment as a High Court Judge.
Judicial Appointments Commission: Appointment as High Court Judge
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary: High Court Judge Appointments
Ed will be very much missed both by the Association and the Midlands Bar, but we all wish him the very best in his new appointment.
UK Stem Cell Foundation – donations in memory of HH Charles Purle QC
In memory of the late HH Charles Purle QC his daughter Sally has set up a page to collect donations to the UK Stem Cell Foundation.
Talk by Mr Justice Birss – 17th July 2018
We are delighted to announce a forthcoming talk by Mr Justice Birss:
A view from the bench – a specialist judge in a general court
Tuesday 17 July, 5.30pm at St Philips Chambers.
Please RSVP to Imogen Halstead via secretary@mccba.co.uk
HH Charles Purle QC, DJ Debora O’Regan
It is with great sadness that the Committee and members of the MCCBA have learned of the deaths of His Honour Charles Purle QC and of District Judge Debora O’Regan.
His Honour Charles Purle QC recently retired as a Senior Circuit Judge and Specialist Chancery Judge, having been appointed in 2007. Called to the Bar in 1970, he took silk in 1989, was Head of New Square Chambers from 2003 to 2007 and was Chairman of the Chancery Bar Association from 2004 to 2007. Although due to have retired in early 2017, he extended his service to assist with ensuring local judicial cover for Chancery matters, and was thus able to complete his career as one of the first judges to sit in the newly-established Business and Property Courts at Birmingham.
District Judge Debora O’Regan was admitted to the roll in 1985 and was appointed a Deputy District Judge in May 1993 and a District Judge in June 1998, and served on the International Committee of the Judicial College.
HH Charles Purle QC’s funeral will take place at St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham, on Monday 4th June 2018 at 2.30 pm.
AGM and Reception – new date of 20th March 2018
Having had to be adjourned due to the snow, the MCCBA AGM and accompanying Champagne Reception to mark the retirement of HHJ Charles Purle QC have been re-arranged for 20th March 2018.
RSVP to Imogen Halstead (not necessary if you did so for the original date) via secretary@mccba.co.uk
Forthcoming Events – December and January
Welcome to HHJ Sarah Watson
Tuesday 5 December, 4.15pm — Birmingham Civil Justice Centre, 6th Floor
Judge Watson is now in post as our new TCC judge. Please join your colleagues to welcome our latest s.9 judge to the fold. No robes required. Followed by:
Business & Property Courts Users’ Meeting
Tuesday 5 December, 4.45pm — Birmingham Civil Justice Centre, 6th Floor
Please do attend in good numbers to support the local courts and voice any concerns that you have about the service provided.
Valedictory for HHJ Charles Purle QC
Wednesday 10th January, Time TBC — Birmingham Civil Justice Centre
Details to follow nearer the time.
MCCBA Annual Dinner, 17th November 2017
The MCCBA Annual Dinner will be held this year on Friday 17th November 2017 at Opus Restaurant on Cornwall Street, Birmingham. The evening will commence at 7pm for 7:30pm with a champagne reception followed by a four course dinner. As per usual, the dress code is black tie.
Please RSVP to Imogen Halstead via secretary@mccba.co.uk
Guide to the Business and Property Courts – Update
The LexisNexis/MCCBA guide to the Business and Property Courts in Birmingham has been updated to note the revised name of the Property, Trusts and Probate List.
Business and Property Courts in Birmingham (PDF, 3MB)
Business and Property Courts in Birmingham – Launch Reception
Following the official opening today of the Business and Property Courts in Birmingham by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, this evening saw Birmingham Civil Justice Centre host senior members of the judiciary, local dignitaries and judges, and members of the legal profession to a reception to mark this new era for the Birmingham courts. Guests heard from Mr Justice Haddon-Cave, Sir Geoffrey Vos, Mr Justice Coulson, Mr Justice Newey and Sir Brian Leveson, all of whom have been deeply involved in setting up the new Business and Property Courts and establishing them in Birmingham. A small selection of the many who attended are pictured below.
(Pictures © S Bradshaw, S Carr and MCCBA, taken with the kind permission of HMCTS.)
Introducing the Business and Property Courts in Birmingham
Today marks the formal opening of the Business and Property Courts in Birmingham. To explain the new courts, a helpful introductory guide has been produced that features the following:
- Foreword by Mr Justice Haddon-Cave, Mrs Justice Carr and Mr Justice Newey
- Explanation of the Business and Property Courts by Sir Geoffrey Vos, Chancellor of the High Court, and Sir Brian Leveson, President of the Queen’s Bench Division
- The Significance of the new Business and Property Courts – a view by Ed Pepperall QC
- Judicial Profiles
- Court Contact Details
Business and Property Courts in Birmingham (PDF, 3MB)
MCCBA leads a consortium of sponsors to launch the new Courts
The MCCBA is the lead sponsor for the champagne reception to mark the launch of the new Business & Property Courts in Birmingham. It has joined forces with the national specialist bar associations, COMBAR, the Chancery Bar Association and TECBAR. In addition, it is working closely with fellow sponsor Lexis-Nexis to publish a magazine on 6 July to mark the launch of the new courts in Birmingham.
Additional, very generous support has been given to this event by the High Sheriffs of the West Midlands, John Hudson OBE DL (2017/8) and Keith Bradshaw DL (2016/7) and by the Property Litigation Association.
Ed Pepperall QC, Chairman of the MCCBA, said: “The Association is delighted to be working with all of our fellow sponsors. We are particularly pleased to see the support so willingly given to regional specialist practice by the national specialist bar associations. Thanks also to Lexis-Nexis for deploying its professional publishing capability to support this event and to our other co-sponsors for their support. I look forward to a successful launch event and to the success of these new courts.”
ICCA Expert Evidence Training Conference
The Inns of Court College of Advocacy will be running its Expert Evidence Training Conference at Middle Temple on 22 July 2017.
This is a one day training event focusing on the handling of expert witnesses and costs £40.
The course is suitable for Practitioners over 5 years’ call with either:
- A Chancery/commercial practice
- A medical negligence practice
Places are limited to 24 per specialist area.
Further details about the event, and a link to the booking form, can be found here.
Conference Leaflet (PDF)
The new Commercial Circuit Courts
It has now been confirmed that the Mercantile Courts are in for a makeover. The Victorian adjective goes as the courts are renamed the Commercial Circuit Courts. The name change is part of the reorganisation of the specialist courts in the wake of next month’s launch of the Business and Property Courts. The name is intended to be more intelligible. It appears to underline the close connections with London’s Commercial Court, while perhaps making only too clear that it is the junior partner. On the formal launch of the new court structure, Judge Worster will become the city’s first Commercial Circuit Judge. The MCCBA understands that Part 59 of the rules will be amended simply to effect the name change.
The Business and Property Courts in Birmingham
The Business and Property Courts in Birmingham will be formally opened by the Lord Chief Justice, the Rt Hon. Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, at 2.30pm on Thursday, 6th July 2017.
These new courts will combine the strengths of the Chancery Division in Birmingham with the specialist courts of the Queen’s Bench Division, Technology and Construction (TCC) and Mercantile, and will introduce flexible listing and modern procedures. . The courts will aim to meet three objectives:
- ensuring that each case is managed to deliver progress to trial without delay;
- trial by the most appropriate judge (whether a member of the resident specialist judiciary or a High Court Judge); and
- the provision of an efficient and effective service utilising modern technology to best advantage.
This innovation has been the result of the combined efforts of the HMCTS Birmingham, Regional and High Court teams and the local specialist judges and the Circuit and District Bench. The Midlands Chancery and Commercial Bar Association is very pleased to have been able to lend it support to the creation of the new Courts.
The Chancellor of the High Court and the President of the Queen’s Bench Division have prepared an explanatory statement regarding the new Business and Property Courts.
Birmingham has a new Mercantile Judge
The Birmingham legal community today welcomed His Honour Judge David Worster as the city’s new Mercantile judge. Judge Worster inherits a court that has been in the doldrums but is well placed to rebuild the jurisdiction. Called in 1980, David Worster practised at 7 Fountain Court and later St Philips Chambers until his appointment to the circuit bench in 2008.
Commenting on his appointment, MCCBA Chairman, Ed Pepperall QC, said “Judge Worster regularly practised in Mercantile work at the Bar and will be known to many in Birmingham’s legal community as a very effective commercial barrister. Since his appointment to the bench, he has proved himself to be a fair and user-friendly judge who has earned the trust and respect of the legal community. He is ideally placed to resurrect the fortunes of the Birmingham Mercantile Court.”
MCCBA Chairman named Barrister of the Year
MCCBA Chairman, Ed Pepperall QC, was last night named Barrister of the Year at the Birmingham Law Society’s annual awards event.
MCCBA welcomes Judge McCahill QC back home
The MCCBA tonight threw a drinks reception to welcome His Honour Judge Patrick McCahill QC back to Birmingham upon his appointment as the city’s fourth Chancery judge. Judge McCahill practised for many years as a Chancery and commercial barrister from St Philips Chambers and its predecessor set, Priory Chambers (previously 2 Fountain Court). He was also a founder member of the Association. Called in 1975, McCahill took silk in 1996. He was appointed a circuit judge in 2001 and appointed as the Bristol Chancery judge in 2007.
MCCBA Chairman, Ed Pepperall QC, said “The Association is delighted to welcome Judge Patrick McCahill QC back to Birmingham. He was a very successful Chancery & Commercial barrister in the city before his appointment as Chancery judge in Bristol. He returns to us after 10 years’ exile with an excellent reputation as a popular and respected judge. Birmingham can now boast an exceptionally strong Chancery bench as Patrick joins Judges Charles Purle QC, Simon Barker QC and David Cooke.”
MCCBA member James Morgan appointed Silk
The MCCBA congratulates James Morgan on being appointed as Queen’s Counsel.
More details of James and his appointment are available here.
(photo: St Philips Stone)
MCCBA launch brand new website
The MCCBA is pleased to announce the launch of its website. It provides information and resources for its members, whilst also offering convenient links for those looking to instruct barrister members who all specialise in chancery and commercial work.
If users of the website have any comments as to its layout, content or operation then please do let us know by contacting the Association at jmorgan@st-philips.com