On Friday April 5th, The Bar of Ireland hosted a delegation from The Bar of Northern Ireland for the seventh annual Joint North South Bar Meeting. The main focus of the meeting was to examine the impact of Brexit on the legal and justice sectors in each jurisdiction as clarification is still awaited on various legal issues.
This includes the movement of people, goods and services following the UK’s departure from the European Union.
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Pictured above are colleagues from both The Bar of Ireland and The Bar of Northern Ireland
Speaking ahead of the meeting, The Bar of Ireland Chairman Micheál P O’Higgins SC stated:
“The Council of The Bar of Ireland is delighted to welcome our colleagues from the Bar of Northern Ireland for this most important annual event which provides a unique opportunity for practitioners to discuss areas of mutual concern, particularly the uncertainty surrounding the implications of Brexit. Currently both jurisdictions enjoy a significant level of cooperation in bilateral legal arrangements with the UK which may be impacted post Brexit and we welcome the opportunity to discuss this and other important matters with our colleagues from Northern Ireland”
Echoing Chairman Micheál P O’Higgins SC sentiments, Chair of the Bar of Northern Ireland, Sarah Ramsey said:
“The annual joint meeting of The Bar of Ireland and Bar of Northern Ireland has for several years been a valuable opportunity to share common policy and strategic issues, develop joint best practice and to further cement the close historical bonds between the Bars on this island. Our Bars are determined to ensure that these bonds and close working relationships are strengthened in the face of Brexit uncertainty. As a tangible example of this shared purpose we were delighted to have recently facilitated a special call ceremony that enabled unprecedented numbers of our respective Bars to be called to practice in each jurisdiction.”
Pictured above is Chair of The Bar of Northern Ireland, Sarah Ramsey and Chairman, Council of The Bar of Ireland Micheál P O’Higgins SC
In addition to Brexit, other issues discussed at the meeting included the prosecution of sex crimes in each jurisdiction, and the reform of the Family Law system.