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Peter Herbert
Political activist and chair of the Society of Black Laywers
Called to
the Bar in 1982, Peter Herbert is the current National Chairperson of the
Society of Black Lawyers. As Chair, he has championed the cause of racial
equality within the criminal justice system and the legal profession as a
whole. Appointed to the Judicial Studies Board in 1991, he was involved in
the first ever series of race awareness training programmes for judges. He
is currently a member of the Bar Council Race Relations
Committee.
A recipient of the National Bar Association's Human
Rights Award (USA), Mr. Herbert was a panel member of the Ken Dixon Mental
Health Inquiry and has been chair of two other mental health inquiries
(Michael Donnelly and Anthony Joseph). As a barrister, he has a quality
practice in childcare, employment discrimination, human rights and civil
actions against the police. In 1996, he was appointed as a part-time
Immigration Adjudicator. He also serves as a non-executive director of
Ealing Health Authority and is the author of "Racism, Impartiality &
Juries" (New Law Journal, 1995).
He has been involved in a number
of high profile cases, involving human rights issues in all areas of his
practice. He has been at the forefront of the challenges to the Judicial
system in the United Kingdom, gaining personal acknowledgements for this
work from both the former Lord Chancellor, Lord Mackay: the Deputy
Assistant U.S. Attorney General, the Honorable Eric Holder, (December
1998), and from Lord Justice Glidewell, 1995.
Mr. Herbert has
established a reputation for robust advocacy, making submissions, both
written and oral to several House of Commons and Judicial Inquiries,
namely the Home Affairs Select Committee on Racial Attacks, 1992; the
Royal Commission into Criminal Justice 1994; and the Stephen Lawrence
Inquiry 1998/9. His work within the Criminal Justice System, both as an
advocate and with the Judicial Studies Board as a facilitator and
developer of policy is well recognised. He continues to provide a wide
range of pro-bono legal advice on a range of professional issues from
Immigration to Education, whilst at the same time, assisting many students
with advice and mentoring.
www.100greatblackbritons.com
A disappointed Peter Herbert outside the Bar Council's offices.
Outrage over 'travesty of justice' as barrister Peter Herbert
is found guilty By Lester Holloway
25/5/2004
SUPPORTERS OF barrister and part-time judge Peter Herbert reacted with fury
today after a disciplinary hearing found him guilty of breaking the lawyers'
code of conduct.
In a shock decision the Bar Council found Peter Herbert guilty of speaking in
the 'first person' in a radio interview, using the words "I think" and "I
believe" instead of "my client believes."
Peter Herbert called the decision a "travesty of justice" by a "kangaroo
court", and plans to appeal. He has already lodged an employment tribunal claim
against the Bar Council alleging race discrimination and victimisation, and is
likely to sue the individual members of the disciplinary panel, Roger Bartlett,
Timothy Lyons QC and Professor Roger Caplin.
Peter Herbert escaped having his license to practice law suspended but received
a reprimand and was ordered to receive 'media training.' He has refused to
undertake the training.
Peter Herbert claimed his style of advocacy had often involved speaking in the
first person and that he was subjected to a hostile radio interview while in a
state of distress over a family tragedy.
Peter Herbert was cleared of similar charges in 2001 following a public outcry
at the Bar Council's previous attempt to discipline him. His supporters believe
the real reason for the disciplinary actions is not the 'tense' he speaks in,
but his willingness to challenge racism in the legal profession.
http://www.blink.org.uk/index.asp
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