The inaugural address of the Chair of the Bar 2026
Kirsty Brimelow KC, Chair of the Bar, delivered her inaugural address on 12 January 2026.
Leveson's Review of Criminal Courts
Read more about our position, our work, key articles about the review and how you can support our campaign Justice needs juries.
Applications are open
Applicants can now apply for vacancies on the Pupillage Gateway. The submission window closes 22 January 2026. See our checklist on how to apply.
Officers of the Bar Council 2026
Our officers for 2026 – read about our Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer.
Law reform essay competition
This year's essay competition winner is Wasim Iqbal with his essay 'Invisible violence: restoring the sight of the Online Safety Act 2023'. Read Wasim's and all this year's winning essays.
System overload - a report on family legal aid
Our report has laid bare the detrimental impact family legal aid work is having on barristers as well as how underfunding affects the justice outcomes for their clients.
Trauma informed practice
Learn practical tools to address the effects of trauma and distress in all practice areas. We've designed courses for barristers, and clerks and chambers staff.
Independent review of bullying and harassment at the Bar
Following the publication of Baroness Harman's report, we've set out our action plan for implementing her 36 recommendations.
Speak for Success
Our new primary school programme uses the real-life experiences and skills of barristers to support children develop their oracy skills. Our free teacher resources are packed with engaging activities for key stage 2 pupils aged 7-11 years old.
Bar Representation Fee
With your support we can do more to champion access to justice and give the Bar a stronger voice. Subscribe and get exclusive money-saving benefits
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Bar Council online support services
Guides and templates
Visit our Ethics and practice hub
Find a wide range of guides, resources, and templates on ethics and practice management for barristers and chambers
News
Juries, legal aid and children in sharp focus for new Bar Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC
The new Chair set out her priorities in a speech at Gray's Inn
Legal aid system at breaking point, Bar Council warns after Parliamentary report
The Bar Council has welcomed the new Parliamentary report on the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), warning that it confirms what the Bar has been saying for years: the legal aid system is no longer sustainable and access to justice is being steadily eroded.
Kirsty Brimelow KC becomes Chair of the Bar 2026
The criminal, international and public law barrister begins her year-long term today
Four Bars joint statement on jury trials in England and Wales
Since the government announced its proposal to restrict the right to a jury trial in response to Sir Brian Leveson’s criminal courts review, the Bar of England and Wales has argued that justice needs juries. Now, the Four Bars of England and Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland have made a joint statement, urging the UK government to change course.
News
Training and events
