The constitution of the BLC enables members of Hall through the Bar Liaison Committee (BLC) to play an important part in the decision-making process of the Inner Temple.
Any member of the Inn who is in practice at the Employed or Self-Employed Bar and who is not a Bencher is eligible, with the support of three proposers, to be elected to the Bar Liaison Committee (BLC). The BLC plays an important part in the governance of The Inner Temple. The upcoming triennial BLC elections provide an ideal opportunity to become involved in the work of YOUR Inn.
To reflect the objectives of the profession and the Inn’s commitments to fairness and equality of opportunity, we encourage as diverse a membership as possible. I would like to enlist your support to make this a successful election by putting yourself forward for election to the BLC.
Membership of the BLC, elected every 3 years, comprises 29 elected and co-opted members of whom up to 17 are directly elected by members of Hall across all the Circuits. In addition, representatives from each of the Circuits, the Senior and Junior Bar Auditors, the Editor of the Yearbook, the President of the Junior Bar Association are ex-officio, additional members.
The BLC plays a significant part in the administration and formulation of policy for the Inn through appointed representatives from the committee on all the Bench committees and activities of the Inn, such as the Executive, Estates, Education & Training, Scholarship, International. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Library Committees.
The BLC has monthly meetings at which it receives reports from its representatives on the Bench Committees and formulates its policy regarding current and future issues, prior to the Executive Committee on the following day. The committee is also asked regularly to comment or respond to Bar Council or Bar Standards Board consultations.
If you are interested in becoming involved in the BLC and want any further information about what we do and what is involved in being a BLC member, you can contact the Secretary, Henrietta Amodio (hamodio@innertemple.org.uk).
In the meantime, please keep in mind the nomination and election timetable.
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Thursday 22 October | Nominations open |
| Thursday 12 November | 5pm deadline for receipt of nominations |
| Thursday 19 November | Online ballot opens |
| Thursday 26 November | Online voting closes at 5pm |
| Monday 30 November | First meeting with newly elected members. Nominations for co-opted members will be approved at this meeting, and the Chair and Vice Chair(s) will be elected either at the meeting or immediately afterwards. |
I very much hope that you will engage with this election to make YOUR BLC a dynamic and effective conduit to influence decision-making at the Inn and within the profession.
Harriet Holmes
Wilberforce Chambers
Chair of the Bar Liaison Committee