According to the plans, civil matters up to £25,000 would be dealt with online using ‘case officers’ with a quasi-judicial role rather than judges. But the Bar Council believes the plans pose a reputational risk to the judiciary as a result of its reduced status and independence, and that they could lead to the departure of talented advocates to other areas of practice or from the bar altogether.

Furthermore, it believes that introducing a ‘lawyerless’ court could lead to a two-tier justice system and have a ‘significant impact’ on the junior bar, as barristers rely on them to gain experience and develop their skills. In turn, this could stifle the careers of barristers on track to becoming leading advocates, reducing the number of potential candidates for the judiciary. Source: The Law Society Gazette