Press release archive
Budget: Welcome step for justice but still a way to go
The Bar Council has welcomed the overall settlement for justice in today’s Budget
Bar Council comments on Sentencing Review announcement
Bar Council welcomes the sentencing review announced today
Employed Bar Awards 2024 winners announced including first Lifetime Achievement Award
The Employed Bar Awards celebrated the quality and range of work by the employed Bar with the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award being given.
BSB regulatory proposals muddy the waters
The Bar Council is concerned new proposals will create uncertainty over compliance and responsibility
Celebrating 75 years of women silks – excellence in advocacy
Over 350 women KCs and judges joined the celebrations at the Royal Courts of Justice
Lawyers play key role in safeguarding election integrity
It is now more important than ever for the legal profession and justice system to ensure that the rules governing the integrity of elections are respected.
“Swift justice” requires realistic resourcing says Bar Council Chair
The Bar Council's Spending Review submission makes the case that investment in justice is needed for public safety and economic growth
Cutting court sitting days causing real concern
The MoJ confirms a cap on Crown Court sitting days of 105,000
Funding for justice down 22% since 2010 – new Bar Council report
Our new report analyses public spending under the last government
Bar Council responds to BSB proposals on equality rules
The Bar Council will scrutinise the proposals carefully and encourages everyone at the Bar to do so
Chair of the Bar deplores racist violence and rioting as law centres are threatened
The Bar Council stands with the Law Society in asking Government to treat the threats with the utmost seriousness
Government saves three times what it spends on early legal advice, finds new report
The Bar Council and the Access to Justice Foundation are urging the government to provide more support for the free legal advice sector at "breaking point".
Bar Council reaction to the King’s Speech
Bar Council reaction to the King’s Speech, welcoming the new Government's commitment to tackling Crown Court backlogs
Bar Council responds to 2024 judicial diversity statistics
The Judicial Diversity Forum says there is more work to be done
Chair of the Bar welcomes appointment of Richard Hermer KC as Attorney General
The Matrix Chambers public law barrister was appointed by the Prime Minister
We will work with new Lord Chancellor to rebuild the justice system - Bar Council Chair
Shabana Mahmood MP has been appointed by the Prime Minister
Bar Council reacts to UK ratification of Hague Convention 2019
Ratification of Hague Convention 2019 is good news for the UK, EU and international signatories.
Managing people and behaviours at the Bar – Bar Council launches new event series
The four-part series is designed to support chambers with effective people management and workplace culture
Employed Bar Awards shortlist announced with new award added
Employed barristers from the BBC, the CPS, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, APPEAL and many more are among this year’s nominees.
The global social and economic impact of the legal profession - Bar Council comment
The International Bar Association's new report could not have come at a better time, to highlight the important role of the legal profession and the Rule of Law.
Harriet Harman KC to lead independent review of bullying and harassment at the Bar
The Bar Council commissioned the review following a report into the extent of bullying and harassment
“Public confidence in justice is shot” – Bar Chair sets out prescription for remedy in speech to Bar Conference
Sam Townend KC delivered the opening speech of Bar Conference 2024 in London
Justice delayed and denied – Bar Council calls for urgent action in election manifesto
The 'Manifesto for justice 2024' calls for justice to be seen as a vital public service
Bar Council calls for review of whole criminal justice system through Royal Commission
A wholesale policy refresh and investment in the whole justice system is needed now, the Bar Council says in its submission to the Public Accounts Committee's inquiry.
Crown Court backlog report highlights criminal justice system at point of structural failure
Reducing the Crown Court backlog of 67,573 to 53,000 by March 2025 can no longer be achieved, according to a new report by the watchdog.
Government must take responsibility for prison crisis and invest in criminal justice system, Bar Chair says
The Ministry of Justice is wrongly blaming the prison population crisis on the barristers’ strike.
Kirsty Brimelow KC elected as Bar Council Vice Chair for 2025
The criminal and international human rights practitioner will join the officer team on 1 January 2025
Bar calls for greater consistency in use of remote hearings and improvements in tech
The Bar is calling for consideration to be given to greater consistency in the use of remote hearings and further investment in court technology, following a new report.
Chair of the Bar welcomes launch of Lawyers Who Care
The new initiative supports care-experienced aspiring lawyers
Law firms and chambers working together to improve cybersecurity
The cybersecurity questionnaire has been updated in response to feedback
‘We cannot continue like this’ – response to prison emergency measures
Operation Early Dawn is one symptom of the chronic lack of investment
Top judges and barristers race 10km to raise money for the London Legal Support Trust
To mark 20 years of the London Legal Walk, Chair Sam Townend KC is leading his Bar in a race against HHJ Adam Constable KC and his Bench team around the Walk's route to raise £1m for charity.
Joint statement of the Four Bars on jury trials in Scotland
The Faculty of Advocates, Bar Council of England and Wales, Bar of Ireland and Bar of Northern Ireland (the Four Bars) have issued a joint statement on the proposed removal of juries for rape and other serious sexual offence trials in Scotland.
Mind the early gender earnings gap at the Bar – new research from the Bar Council
New analysis on the earnings gap between men and women at the self-employed Bar
Justice at the polls: Bar Conference is back asking ‘what next for justice’?
Bar Conference is back after a break with a programme tackling the big issues
BSB should revisit decision on targets for processing complaints, says Bar Council Chair
The Fieldfisher report revealed some striking deficiencies in the enforcement processes of the BSB, says Sam Townend KC.
Bar Council resists Bar regulator’s proposal to remove degree requirement for barristers in training
Chair Sam Townend KC says the Bar Council objects to the majority of the BSB’s proposed reforms because they would lower standards.
Bar Council comments on crime and family court statistics
It is disappointing that there is still no progress made on reducing the backlog in the Crown Court, said Sam Townend KC.
Non-Disclosure Agreements are “ripe for legislative change”, says Bar Council
The Bar Council welcomes the Government’s commitment to reform Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
At the heart of the Bar Council is a "commitment to fairness, equality and diversity" says Chair Sam Townend KC
In response to the media reports about membership of the Garrick Club, the Bar Council has issued a statement.
Positive signs for Ahmadi Muslim lawyers in Pakistan
Pakistan Bar Council has signalled there must be no restrictions on Ahmadi Muslims practising as lawyers.
“Gold standard training” - more than 8 in 10 have a positive pupillage experience, report finds
86% of pupils have had a positive pupillage experience and the vast majority feel supported by their chambers and employers, according to the new Pupil Survey.
Bar Council reaction to the Spring Budget
Funding for justice "a drop in the ocean" says Chair of the Bar
Budget: Failure to invest in justice is a false economy, warns Bar Council
Chair of the Bar makes statement ahead of the Spring Budget
“Bar’s goodwill taken for granted” – Bar Council builds strong case for urgent investment in civil legal aid
The Bar Council has submitted detailed evidence to the government Review of Civil Legal Aid
Pupillage offers hit new record, exceeding pre-pandemic levels
Almost 640 positions were advertised on the Pupillage Gateway, the Bar Council's recruitment portal.
Investment needed to stop exodus of specialist rape counsel
Chair of the Bar Council responds to new Criminal Bar Association survey results
New data on wellbeing at the Bar
Today the Bar Council has published the Wellbeing at the Bar Report 2024. The data shows some improvements in wellbeing at the Bar.
Bar Council and PIBA secure fixed recoverable costs uplift
The Bar Council and Personal Injuries Bar Association (PIBA) have hailed changes to the fixed recoverable costs for advocacy fees in civil cases that will see a 23.5% increase in fees.
New guidance on generative AI for the Bar
Guidance for barristers on the use of ChatGPT and other large language model (LLM) systems
Funding early legal advice in family courts should reduce the backlogs
The Ministry of Justice has announced family court reforms
Bar Council calls for review of private prosecution powers
The Bar Council has called on Parliament to review the safeguards around private prosecutions.
New Bar Council Chair Sam Townend KC calls for urgent investment in a justice system at the point of structural failure
Sam Townend KC delivered his inaugural address at Lincoln's Inn
“It is never right to associate lawyers with their clients” – the Bars of the UK respond to recent media
The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Times have published letters from the three Bars
Bar Council commits to address inappropriate behaviour at the Bar
Barristers have been increasingly reporting bullying, harassment, and discrimination. The Bar Council has committed to address inappropriate and abusive behaviour by commissioning a review.
Rwanda Bill likely to give rise to legal challenges
The Bar Council says the Bill contains striking provisions
Bar Council response to Bar Standards Board's Annual Report on Bar Training
The Bar Council has welcomed the Bar Standards Board's Annual Report on Bar Training.
Bar Council welcomes fixed recoverable costs uprating in 2024
The Lord Chancellor is also considering regular inflation increases
Rwanda emergency law - Bar Council reaction
The Bar Council expresses 'grave concern' about the Prime Minister's suggestion.
Bar Council reaction to the King’s Speech
The Bar Council has called for urgent additional funding for the justice system.
Chambers encouraged to analyse earnings data to understand disparities and ensure equal access to work
The Bar Council has published a new earnings report and toolkit
Fee increase for pre-recorded cross examination welcome but further review needed
The Ministry of Justice has announced an increase to barrister fees for pre-recorded cross examination cases
Bar’s climate crisis group co-chairs respond to PM’s net zero announcement
Estelle Dehon KC and Ben Cooper KC highlight concerns over legal uncertainty
Bar Council welcomes BSB guidance on social media and conduct in non-professional life
The Bar Council thinks BSB has struck the appropriate balance
Bar Council announces new contextual recruitment tool to boost social mobility at the Bar
The Rare Contextual Recruitment System will be added to the Pupillage Gateway from 2024/25
Chair of the Bar calls for change to timing of Call in future-gazing speech
Nick Vineall KC delivered a wide-ranging speech on The Bar of 2043 at Inner Temple Hall
Fixed recoverable costs: Bar Council insists on pay for work done
The Bar Council and PIBA have issued a strong response to the MoJ consultation on FRCs
Reforming the Arbitration Act 1996 - Bar Council comment
The Bar Council welcomes the Law Commission’s careful and balanced review of the Arbitration Act.
Tackling court backlogs will need commitment to significant additional funding
Bar Council Chair responds to MoJ announcement on plans to reduce the court backlogs
Legal community gravely concerned: joint statement from the Bar Council and Law Society
Legal bodies issue joint statement in response to the Jacqueline McKenzie media reports
Bar Council responds to Professional Enablers Taskforce announcement
The Home Office and Ministry of Justice have announced the new Taskforce today
Wellbeing matters to everyone at the Bar: new video launch
The new video aims to encourage more conversations about mental health and wellbeing
Bar Council responds to latest judicial diversity data
The latest stats show progress is being made, but not equally across the board
Bar Council comments as Post Office Inquiry set to consider the role of lawyers
The Bar Council will be following proceedings carefully as the Inquiry begins its next phase
There is no place at the Bar for misogynist and bullying behaviour
The Chair of the Bar responds to the Counsel cover story 'Speaking Up'
Culture shift needed to deliver court reform programme
The Bar Council responds to the Public Accounts Committee report on the Court Reform Programme
Bill of Rights Bill will not proceed - Bar Council reaction
The Human Rights Act should apply across the board, says Chair of the Bar.
Legal firms urged to strengthen cyber defences with latest guidance from experts
Updated NCSC report highlights key threats to UK legal sector and how to improve cyber security.
Nick Vineall KC congratulates Dame Sue Carr on LCJ appointment
Congratulations to Dame Sue Carr on her historic appointment.
Bar Council reacts to Government's SLAPPs amendments
The Bar Council welcomes proposals to protect and promote fair comment and press freedom.
Bar Council raises concern over treatment of Ahmadi Muslim lawyers in Pakistan
Chair of the Bar Nick Vineall KC has written to the Pakistan Bar Council
Memorandum of Understanding signed with Bar Council of India
The Bar Council and Law Society hosted the Bar Council of India for the signing ceremony
Lawyers for Pride 2023
The Law Society and Bar Council issue a joint statement for Pride
Cab rank rule: statement of the Four Bars
The cab rank rule is a bedrock obligation for the independent referral Bar
Slow steps of progress on widening access to legal aid
The Government has responded to the legal aid means test review
Barbara Mills KC elected as Bar Council Vice Chair for 2024
Barbara Mills KC will become the first specialist family practitioner for 35 years and the first Black person to assume the role
Bar Council launches new Wellbeing Certificates
As part of #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek this week, we have relaunched the Bar Council’s Wellbeing Certificates.
Bar Council welcomes moves towards a more diverse judiciary
The MoJ has expanded the judicial roles open to CILEX lawyers
Bar Council calls on Peers to reject deeply flawed Illegal Migration Bill
The Bill will undermine access to justice and contravene fundamental principles
Bar Council of England and Wales calls on Israel to abandon proposed constitutional reforms
The Chair of the Bar has written to the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
The cab rank rule is a bedrock obligation
A statement from the Chair of the Bar Nick Vineall KC
Raab resignation: This has to be a fresh start for the justice system
The Bar Council is calling for sustainable funding and a rethink of the Bill of Rights Bill
Bar Council congratulates Alex Chalk KC MP as new Lord Chancellor
The former Solicitor General takes up the post following the resignation of Dominic Raab
Illegal Migration Bill amendment undermines rule of law
The Bar Council is urging the Government to reconsider
Climate leadership in the legal sector
Guidance and resources for the Bar
Prosecution fees increase confirmed for May
The Bar Council has welcomed the announcement
Hundreds of school students compete in final of the Bar Mock Trial Competition
On Saturday at The Royal Courts of Justice hundreds of students from 22 schools across the UK will come together to compete in the final of the National Bar Mock Trial Competition.