Elections for the 2013 Bar Council

22 August 2012

Annual elections for the Bar Council will take place this autumn and successful candidates will join from 1 January 2013 for a three-year term, except where a different term length is stated below. Those members who are due to retire from the Bar Council on 31 December 2012 are eligible for re-election.

There are vacancies in the following categories:

• Self-employed under seven years' Call (four vacancies)
• Self-employed over seven years' Call (seven vacancies)
• Self-employed QCs (two vacancies)
• Employed under seven years' Call (two vacancies for a three-year term and one vacancy for a one-year term), and
• Employed over seven years' Call (including QCs) (three vacancies).

The Bar Council meets seven times per year on Saturday mornings, and all elected and representative members are expected to attend as many of these meetings as possible, at a minimum of four per year. Crèche facilities are provided for these meetings if advance notice is given. Elected Bar Council members also serve on one or more representative committees, which meet, on average, six to ten times per year; usually on a weekday evening. There are dial-in facilities for those who are unable to attend committee meetings in person.

This is an excellent opportunity for members of the profession to represent their constituency - whether practice area, Circuit or length of Call - and bring their views to the Bar Council's attention for discussion and debate. Becoming an elected member of the Bar Council provides a real chance to get involved in how the Bar Council discharges its representative functions.

In order to be eligible, a candidate must:

(a) Hold a valid practising certificate, and
(b) Submit a completed and signed nomination form no earlier than 09:00 on Friday 7 September 2012 and no later than 17:00 on Friday 21 September 2012.

An email will be sent between 3 and 7 September 2012 to all practising barristers, enclosing the nomination form and giving more information about the elections. Further information can also be found in the Bar Council's Constitution, which can be found here.

Meanwhile, if you have any questions, please contact David Coventon, Administration Manager by telephone (020 7611 1493) or email (DCoventon@BarCouncil.org.uk).