Elections
Subscriber Elections
Elections for Bar Council of England and Wales
The Bar Council is the governing body of the Bar in England and Wales. It considers and implements general policy with regard to all matters affecting the Bar, and it represents and supports barristers and the Bar.
Its membership is made up of approximately 115 barristers who are elected or who represent the Inns, Circuits and other interest groups.
Annually in September, the nomination period will open, followed by the voting period in October. Successful candidates will join from 1 January for a three-year term, except where otherwise indicated. Those members who are due to retire from the Bar Council from the previous year on 31 December will be eligible to stand for re-election.
Why join the Bar Council
Members of the Bar Council have the opportunity to represent the views of their peers and take part in essential work representing and championing the profession. Bar Council members usually also sit on Bar Council committees which undertake detailed consideration of a wide range of legal and professional issues.
The roles are voluntary, and the levels of commitment vary depending on whether you also serve on committees, working groups or panels. The Bar Council meets seven times a year and committees meet four or five times a year.
Positions on Bar Council
- Self-employed King’s Counsel
- Self-employed Junior Counsel over seven years in practice
- Self-employed Junior Counsel under seven years in practice
- Employed Junior Counsel over seven years in practice or King’s Counsel
- Employed Junior Counsel under seven years in practice
Subscriber elections timetable 2024
Nomination period: 09:00 7 September 2023 to 17:00 21 September 2023
Voting period: 5 October 2023 to 19 October 2023
Announcement: by 20 October 2023
Casual vacancies voting period (if required): 8 November 2023 to 15 November 2023
All successful candidates will take up their roles on the Bar Council from 1 January the following year.
During the nomination period, candidates will need to submit an application form and candidate statement. There will also be the opportunity to provide a candidate video answering the questions in the statement.
For more information see Bar Council elections 2024
Officer elections
Officer positions
- Chair of the Bar
- Vice Chair of the Bar
- Treasurer of the Bar
Under the Bar Council Constitution, Officers shall be elected by the members of the Bar Council and shall, at the time of their proposal for election, each be a member of the Bar Council. Candidates for election as an Officer must be proposed and seconded by those who are members of the Bar Council at the time of their proposal for election.
The Chair and the Vice Chair shall be eligible for re-election for a second term after which they may not stand for re-election to the position again.
The Treasurer shall be eligible for re-election annually for a period not exceeding 4 years.
Officer elections timetable
Timetable for the election of Officers for 2025:
Nomination period: 2 April to 26 April 2024
Voting period: 3 May to 10:00, 17 May 2024
Hustings: 17:30, 9 May 2024
Announcement: The outcome of the elections shall be communicated to the Bar Council no later than 21 May.