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]
Bar leaders’ statement on government’s response to Leveson’s Review of Criminal Courts
The Bar leaders have issued a joint statement in response to the news the government plans to curtail the right to jury trials.
Bar Council urges government not to pursue changes to jury trial under mistaken belief that radical equals effective
The Bar Council has issued an initial response to the government's package of measures announced in response to Sir Brian Leveson's review of criminal courts. The Bar's representative body has warned that progress risks being undermined by proposals that compromise public trust and confidence in our criminal justice system through curtailing jury trials.
Bar Council and BSB establish steering group to implement Harman report
The steering group will ensure ongoing dialogue and information sharing
Bar leadership joint statement on jury trials
The Bar leaders met following the leak of a government memo on the response to Sir Brian Leveson's report
Updated guidance on generative AI for the Bar
“We recognise that the growth of AI tools in the legal sector is inevitable and occurring at a fast pace. As the guidance explains, the best-placed barristers will be those who make the efforts to understand these systems so that they can be used with control and integrity. "
Jury trials have not caused the criminal justice system crisis - Bar Council
The Bar Council has warned that curtailing the right to jury trials may result in a further lack of trust and confidence in our criminal justice system.
General Council of the Bar 2026/27 practising certificate fees and budget consultation
Barristers are encouraged to respond to the consultation
Barrister wellbeing improves but still work to do
The overall levels of wellbeing and job satisfaction of barristers continue to improve but the Chair of the Bar Council says there is still a lot of work to do.
Family courts central to tackling public emergency of violence against women and girls
We've set out a package of recommendations in our new policy paper
Bar Council response to BSB consultation on enforcement powers and procedures
We are pleased to see some of the recommendations of the FieldFisher and Harman reviews being addressed.
Update on court dress and wigs guidance
New guidance was shared with the Bar in July
Family court should not be vehicle for abuse - funding is needed to deliver justice
Repealing presumption of parental involvement from the Children Act 1989 is welcome, but the Chair of the Bar has stressed that this measure alone is not enough as funding is needed to deliver “truly child-centred and survivor-focused justice”.
Vilifying lawyers puts them at risk
The Bars, Faculty and Law Societies in the UK have come together and accused politicians of "irresponsible and dangerous" language that is putting lawyers at risk.
Bar Council of England and Wales visit India
Bar Council announces the Family Law Symposium in New Delhi this week. Our event is part of a broader delegation visit to India that will continue our dialogue with the Bar Council of India and wider profession.
Bar Council welcomes Court of Appeal ruling on advocate immunity
Judgment has been handed down in the case of XGY v Chief Constable of Sussex & CPS