The Midland Circuit has had a chequered history; It was the Midland Circuit, then it became the Midland and Oxford Circuit, before reverting once again to the Midland Circuit. It covers an area from Lincoln in the east, to Hereford and Shrewsbury in the west, up to Stoke on Trent in the north, and down to Warwick in the south. There are Chambers all across the Circuit as well as in London. Because of our central position we attract and welcome barristers from all of the other Circuits.
In addition to the Midland Circuit, there are five other Circuits, all of which form the basis of administration for the Bar in England and Wales.
We continue to attract talented and industrious men and women who will uphold the high standards and fine traditions of this great Circuit.
As Circuit Leaders we are all very proud of our Circuits and each believe that we lead the best Circuit. The truth of course is that no one Circuit is better than another and in fact the Circuits are in many respects, collectively, the backbone of the Bar.
It has been a real privilege to work so closely with the other Circuit leaders, all of whom give unstintingly of their time in an effort to ensure that the lives and practices of all members of the Bar are improved.
I do not need to tell you that each Circuit has developed its own niche areas of practice and the Midland Circuit is very proud of specialist courts which are now well established outside of London, such as the Mercantile Court or the Administrative Court we have in Birmingham. These sit alongside the strong practices in the family, criminal and civil courts across the Circuit .
