The Opening of the Legal Year 2018 took place on 28th September 2018. The day started with the Red Mass presided over by His Lordship Bishop Zammit followed by the ceremonial opening at the Supreme Court of Gibraltar, after which the Bar Lunch was held at the Rock Hotel. Attendance at the events included a spread of practising and retired local practitioners and judiciary, Gibraltar’s Justices of Appeal and the most distinguished guest of Lord Lloyd Jones, a Justice of the United Kingdom Supreme Court and Gibraltar’s Privy Council.
The ceremonial opening of the legal year was presided over by Chief Justice Dudley in the presence of Sir Maurice Kay President of the Court of Appeal. Speeches were delivered by the Chief Justice, Attorney General Michael Llamas QC and the Chairman of the Bar Council, David Dumas QC.
In his speech the Chairman reported on the work being undertaken implementation of the Legal Services Act whilst underscoring the huge significance of this piece of legislation, reforming as it does the delivery of legal services and the regulation of the legal profession. He also mentioned that the final text of the new Code of Conduct for Gibraltar’s fused legal profession was now with the Chief Justice ready to be implemented as the Act comes into force. Also mentioned were the coming into force of the new legal assistance legislation, the creation of the Duty Solicitor Scheme, the introduction of a Damages Bill and representations to be made to the Chief Justice regarding hourly rates for summary assessment and court. With the implementation of the Legal Services Act now actively being planned, the Bar Council will be replaced by the newly-constituted Law Council and therefore the Chairman’s speech was very likely to be the last to be given by the Chairman of the Bar Council.
Please click here to download David Dumas’ speech.
