Press releases and news
Find all the latest major announcements, breaking news, press releases and commentary from the Bar Council on issues affecting the barristers' profession, justice and the rule of law.
The purpose of the Bar Council's press releases are to represent and promote the Bar nationally as well as globally, bring its voice to the public domain and defend the rule of law.
For more information about any press release or news item, call contact Press Office on 020 7092 8175 or email [email protected]
Record court backlogs after decades of underinvestment – Bar Council
New figures revealing record court backlogs in England and Wales provide further evidence that the government should scrap the previous administration’s plans to restrict access to jury trials.
International demand for UK legal services surging
New Law Society report shows the importance of law and barristers to the UK economy.
Bar Council responds to legal complaints case fees proposals
Many of the proposed changes, if implemented, will absorb LeO’s time and resources, and distract from addressing the backlog.
Bar Council reacts to specialist rape courts
Specialist courts, unlike the proposals to curtail jury trials, have already been shown to work.
Increase clarity and create new guidance to encourage more barristers to apply for silk, Bar Council report recommends
More practice-specific guidance is needed to assist barristers across the Bar to apply for silk, a new report from the Bar Council has found.
Bar Council welcomes appointment of new Justice Committee Chair
Catherine Atkinson MP, a former barrister who practised for 17 years, has become the new Chair of the Justice Select Committee, taking over from Andy Slaughter MP.
Bar Council urges government against "tampering" with jury trials
The government is reportedly considering a new proposal which would restrict the right to jury trial by giving judges the power to decide which cases go before a jury.
Bar Council welcomes government implementation of match-funded criminal pupillages
Match-funding criminal pupillages has been championed by the Bar Council since 2024 when it featured in its ‘Manifesto for justice’.
Bar Council criticises government criminal legal aid proposal as not backed by evidence
The Bar Council has criticised the long-awaited government proposals on criminal legal aid as “not backed by evidence” and “fundamentally unfair” in response to a Ministry of Justice consultation.
Bar Council reacts to new ICC sanctions
Independent courts and the lawyers and judges who serve them must be able to perform their duties without fear or favour.
Bar Council AGM notice 2026
The AGM will be held on Saturday 12 September
Bar Council Chair welcomes indication Andy Burnham may scrap plans to reduce jury trials
The PM said his instincts are "not to reduce access to jury trial"
Bar Council welcomes new Lord Chancellor and Attorney General and sets out priorities
The Bar Council has welcomed the new Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice the Rt Hon Alex Norris MP and the new Attorney General the Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, and set out its priorities.
Bar Council calls for legal aid to be considered essential public service alongside NHS and education
Responding to the Justice Select Committee's new report on access to justice and legal aid, the Bar Council has said it underlines how decades of underfunding have resulted in jeopardising both access to justice and justice itself.
Barristers report "endemic" delays to trials caused by late delivery of prisoners
Research based on reports from barristers has shown the ‘endemic’ and ‘routine’ nature of delays caused by the late delivery of prisoners to court, casting doubt over the validity of official data.