Welcome to the Bar Council website. We hope you enjoy your visit. We would be delighted to receive your comments in order that we can improve the site.

The Bar Council is the professional body for barristers in England and Wales. It provides representation and services for the Bar, and Guidance on issues of professional practice. This website caters for a diverse audience. If you are a barrister, or looking to instruct a barrister, or seeking guidance on Becoming a Barrister, there is information here for you.  There is also further information about our policy with regards to Welsh Language Text.  The Bar Council Mission Statement is available here.

The Bar Standards Board has been established by the Bar Council to deal with the regulation of barristers.  The BSB website includes the Code of Conduct, information about Making a Complaint and the Online Register of Barristers.  

Judicial Review

The Bar Council’s pre-action protocol letters for judicial review of two consultations which are being conducted by the Ministry of Justice and the Legal Services Commission, were delivered on Wednesday 17 February 2010.

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Pre-action protocol letters delivered to the LSC and MOJ on Wednesday 17 February 2010. Joint letter from both the Chairmen of the Bar and the Criminal Bar Association together with a joint response of the Bar Council and CBA to the MOJ paper on AGFS cuts

News

Bar Council launches consultation on the Practising Certificate Fee
(12 March 2010)

The purpose of the consultation paper, which has been prepared on behalf of the Finance Committee by a sub group under the stewardship of the Treasurer, Andrew Mitchell QC, is to seek the views of the profession on the way that funds required from regulated persons through the PCF are raised.

The 8th Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen International Law Lecture
(8 March 2010)

‘The case for an International Court for the Environment’

Stephen Hockman QC of Six Pump Court, former Chairman of the Bar Council will give this year's 8th Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen International Law Lecture.

LSB Business Plan
(6 March 2010)

The Bar Council has submitted comments to the Legal Service Board on the board’s Business Plan for 2010/11.