About the Bar Council

The General Council of the Bar (known as the Bar Council) was founded in 1894 to represent the interests of barristers. As the governing body for the Bar its role is to promote and improve the services and functions of the Bar, and to represent the interests of the Bar on all matters relating to the profession, whether trade union, disciplinary, public interest or in any way affecting the administration of justice.

The Role of the Bar Council

The Bar Council’s principal objectives are:

To represent the Bar as a modern and forward looking profession which seeks to maintain and improve the quality and standard of service to all clients
To maintain and enhance professional standards
To maintain effective complaints and disciplinary procedures
To develop an effective, fair and affordable system for recruiting, and of regulating entry to the profession
To regulate education and training for the profession
To combat discrimination and disadvantage at the Bar
To develop and promote the work of the Bar
To conduct research and promote the Bar’s views on matters affecting the administration of justice, including substantive law reform
To provide services for members of the Bar, eg Fees Collection, publications, conferences, guidance on practice management and development
To promote the Bar’s interests with Government, the EC, the Law Society, International Bars and other organisations with common interests

The Bar Standards Board

In 2006, the Bar Council separated its regulatory and representational functions. The Bar Standards Board assumed responsibility for the Bar Council's regulatory work. The Board has entirely separate membership from the Council and a lay Chair and also has its own website.

Membership and Meetings

The Bar Council membership is made up of about 115 barristers who are elected or who represent the Inns, Circuits and other interest groups. The Bar Council meets about 7 times a year. The Council elects its Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Treasurer.

You can also view details of Bar Council meetings, including the Minutes of those meetings.

Committees and Secretariat

Much of the Bar Council's work is done by individual Committees which contain members of the Bar Council and co-opted members.

The day-to-day work of the Bar Council is supported by a Secretariat of around 85 members of staff, based in London. You can also view a list of staff members.

Annual Report and Strategic Plan

The Bar Council produces an annual report on its work and activities. Click here for the latest edition. Details of the Bar Council’s forward work programme for the three-year period 2006-2008 is available in its Strategic Plan.

Standing Orders

From this link you are able to view the Bar Council Standing Orders.

Kennedy Report

The Kennedy Group, which reported in May 2007, was tasked with reviewing the structure and workings of the Bar Council. The report and its appendices are accessible from the links below.

International

Within the Secretariat, there is a team responsible for International Relations dealing with the Bar Council’s links with jurisdictions in other countries. The Bar Council also has a Brussels Office.

Location

The Bar Council is located in High Holborn. A map and further details of the Location are available here.

Meeting Rooms for Hire

The Bar Council’s London office has a number of function rooms which are available for hire for meetings and other events. Further details of the Meeting Rooms for Hire are available here.

Public Affairs Agency

Weber Shandwick is the public affairs agency of the Bar Council.

Gwefan Cyngor y Bar a Thestun yn yr Iaith Gymraeg

There is further information about our policy with regards to Welsh Language text on this website.