Support in disputes

Members of the Bar and third parties can ask that the Chair of the Bar appoint a barrister to act as an arbitrator, mediator or expert in respect of a dispute between themselves and one or more other parties by emailing [email protected].

When you make your request please ensure that you provide a copy of the relevant arbitration, mediation or expert determination agreement in writing, ensuring that it refers to the appointment of an arbitrator, mediator or expert by the Chair of the Bar. Where no such agreement exists please note that, as part of the appointment process, the Bar Council will require a letter signed by the parties stating that they jointly agree that the Chair of the Bar may appoint an arbitrator, mediator or expert on their behalf.

The making of an appointment by the Chair of the Bar is available free of charge to barristers who subscribe to the Bar Council’s Bar Representation Fee. In respect of all other parties the appointment will be made for a small fee of £500 plus VAT.

The Chair of the Bar’s role is purely to an appoint a barrister to act as an arbitrator, mediator or expert. The Chair of the Bar and all other employees of the Bar Council are not therefore able deal with any issues raised by any party relating to the jurisdiction of the arbitrator, mediator or expert, or otherwise. They will also not be able to provide any party seeking to use the Appointments Service with legal advice or guidance relating to their dispute, or to any other matter.

All appointments are made on the condition that neither the Bar Council nor the Chair of the Bar nor any of their officers, agents, employees or members shall have any liability in respect of any loss, remedy or damage suffered or otherwise incurred by any party and or other third parties howsoever arising, or through any indirect or consequential loss, in connection with the appointment. This includes but is not limited to liability in respect of the validity, appropriateness or effectiveness of the appointment, the discharge by the appointee of his duties and functions, or the payment of any fees or expenses associated with the appointment.

If you make a request for an appointment to be made by the Chair of the Bar then your data will be collected and processed in accordance with our Privacy Statement and relevant Data Protection Legislation, including the Data Protection Act 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation ((EU) 2016/679) (the GDPR) and any national implementing laws, regulations and secondary legislation, for so long as the GDPR is effective in the UK.

Members of the Bar and third parties can request a template arbitration, mediation or expert determination clause that makes reference to an appointment by the Chair of the Bar and can be included in their constitution, written agreement or otherwise by emailing [email protected] or calling or call +44 (0)207 611 1321.

Please note that all three templates have been prepared by the Bar Council to assist barristers and third parties with the preparation of written agreements and that they do not comprise, and cannot be relied on as giving, legal advice. They have been prepared in good faith and neither the Bar Council nor any of the individuals responsible for or involved in their preparation accept any responsibility or liability for anything done in reliance on them.

If you are a barrister with a current practising certificate and, in the case of mediators and arbitrators, can provide evidence that you are appropriately qualified and/or are a member of one of the relevant bodies, , then please complete copy of the Participant Form and return it to the Bar Council Services Team at [email protected].

Download further information and the Participant Form

There are two databases available for our members to join. The first is for barristers who are willing to act as an arbitrator, mediator and/or expert on a pro bono basis and in relation to disputes arising in chambers only. The second is for barristers who would like to charge their usual commercial rates for their services as an arbitrator, mediator and/or expert and are therefore interested in being appointed by the Chair of the Bar in respect of any other dispute type.