Thames Valley Bar Mess

The Thames Valley Bar Mess covers three geographically distinct but professionally connected court centres: Reading Crown Court, Oxford Crown Court and Aylesbury Crown Court. Revived in 2007 after a period of dormancy, the Mess now has around 70 members and meets twice a year — once for the AGM and once for a social event — providing a regular point of connection for practitioners across what is, by any measure, a substantial swathe of the south of England.

The Mess represents the interests of Thames Valley practitioners both locally — at court liaison and user meetings — and at South Eastern Circuit level, where the voices of those who appear outside the London court centres need to be heard alongside those who practise closer to the capital. Reading, Oxford and Aylesbury each has its own character and its own Bench, and the Thames Valley Mess reflects and serves all three.

With membership at an accessible level and a straightforward programme of meetings and social events, the Thames Valley Bar Mess offers a practical and convivial professional home to anyone who regularly practises in its courts.