Current campaigns

Invest in the future

"Invest in the future" is the key theme for Chairman of the Bar, Michael Todd QC, who delivered his inaugural speech of this title on 5 December 2011.

Laying out his vision for his year in office, the Chairman emphasised to Government and to the Bar the importance of maximising resources to ensure access to justice. He called for stronger support for pro bono work, a renewed emphasis on social mobility and a more effective Bar Council as part of a more relevant, outward-looking profession.

Unlocking Disputes in London

London is already the venue of choice for unlocking commercial disputes. It provides a major concentration of specialist expertise from lawyers, arbitrators, experts and other support services, all with international links.

For many years it has enjoyed a reputation as a highly sophisticated centre for dispute resolution using arbitration, mediation and litigation.

Unlocking Disputes is the industry-led campaign to promote London as the world’s leading dispute resolution centre. The campaign was initiated by TheCityUK, the Bar Council and the Law Society, to coincide with the opening of the brand new Rolls Building, the largest specialist centre for the resolution of financial, business and property litigation anywhere in the world.

Visit the Unlocking Disputes website. 

Pro bono

The Bar Council actively supports the profession's pro bono activities and works closely with a number of pro bono organisations including the Bar Pro Bono Unit, Access to Justice Foundation, Free Representation Unit and London Legal Support Trust.

We represent the Bar on the the organising boards of National Pro Bono Week and the London Legal Walk.

Current Parliamentary campaigns

The Bar Council engages, in the public interest, with Parliament and the Government on legislation which impacts on the administration of justice.

We are currently focusing on two pieces of legislation: the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill and the Protection of Freedoms Bill. Please click here to read more.