International
The International Secretariat is the principal point of contact for enquiries relating to the international relations of the Bar Council with jurisdictions in other countries and for information on the international interests and activities of the Bar Council including the work of the International Committee.
The Bar Council has close links with Bar Associations in other countries and is a member of the Council of European Bars and Law Societies (CCBE), the International Bar Association (IBA) and the International Criminal Bar (ICB). There are links to the websites of these and other international organisations in the Links section of this site. The Bar Council also monitors developments at the European institutions in Brussels and works for the interests of the Bar in Brussels through our Brussels Office.
In addition to its international policy function the International Relations Secretariat can provide contact details for barristers seeking rights of audience in a jurisdiction outside England and Wales. Barristers and lawyers who have qualified in other jurisdictions including other countries wishing to practice in England and Wales should contact the Secretary to the Joint Regulations Committee at the Bar Council. Students or barristers from either the UK or overseas seeking information on pupillages in the UK and Europe should contact the Education and Training Department.
For all enquiries related to international relations please contact Christian Wisskirchen, International Relations Manager.
International Resources
You can read the regular International News & Events bulletins published in Bar News on this site.
In response to a strong international interest, the International Committee of the Bar Council has produced:
For international clients who wish to instruct a Barrister please refer to:
- “A Brief Guide to Using a Barrister”, available in English (PDF or Word), Mandarin (PDF) and Arabic (PDF) . Hard copies are available from the Bar Council.
- The Bar Guide. This is an annual brochure produced in co-operation with the American Lawyer Magazine, which explains in some more detail the advantages for foreign clients of working with barristers. It also contains a concise guide to instructing a barrister.
Call for applications from barristers under 7 years call for the International Professional and Legal Development Grant Programme
TECBAR, COMBAR and the Bar European Group have joined forces with the Bar Council’s International Committee to offer their members of 7 years call or less, who are in employed or self-employed practice financial assistance to participate in international legal events and conferences which contribute to their professional development. The International Secretariat has developed a scheme under which the cost of participating in such events is shared equally between the applicant, his or her SBA and the Bar Council Scholarships Trust. It is envisaged that this grant programme, which will fund up to two thirds of the costs of such an event, will encourage more junior barristers to participate in activities which will give them an international perspective on legal issues with the aim of helping them thrive in an increasingly globalised legal market. In return for the financial support the successful applicants commit to disseminating the knowledge and experience among junior members of his or her SBA. It his hoped that other SBAs will join this programme in due course.
For more information and directions on how to apply for the programme please download and complete the application form and budget and submit to the International Projects Officer, Sarah Richardson by Friday 31st July.
Rule of Law Lecture
The Bar Council’s annual international rule of law lecture aims to inform barristers of recent developments in this area and stimulate debate. It provides a platform for leading practitioners and judges to deliver a thought-provoking address to internationally oriented practitioners.
The successful inaugural lecture was given by Judge Phillipe Kirsch, President of the International Criminal Court in 2007, who dealt with the challenges facing his Court and of making international criminal justice a respected reality.
At the close of 2008 the international committee was delighted to welcome Judge Johann Kriegler, former judge of the Constitutional Court of South African who delivered a stimulating lecture on, “The rule of law in post-colonial Africa: a British legacy?”.
Special Tribunal for Lebanon
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon has released a general statement in light of the 2005 attack on former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. To read the full statement, please click here.
