Latest News

Bar Council - Private Legal Advice Must be Protected

2 February 2012

Following a report published today by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) on the use of undercover police officers, the Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has urged the Government to protect the fundamental right of citizens to hold private conversations with their lawyers.

Bar Council and Bar Standards Board Release Barristers' Working Lives Survey Results

31 January 2012

The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, and the Bar Standards Board (BSB), the regulator of barristers in England and Wales, have today released the results of Barristers' Working Lives, the first in a planned series of biennial surveys of the Bar.

Bar Council and Criminal Bar Association Lead on EU Factsheet on Defendants' Rights

30 January 2012

The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, and the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) have played a leading role in the development of a factsheet which outlines the rights of defendants in the English and Welsh justice system.

Bar Council Urges Government to Amend Civil Litigation Reforms

30 January 2012

As Peers debate reforms to civil litigation funding within Part 2 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Bill, the Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has urged the Government to consider seriously its alternative proposals for reform.

Bar Council Welcomes CPS Panel Appointments

19 January 2012

The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has welcomed the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) announcement regarding appointments to its new Advocacy Panel. However, it has acknowledged the length of time taken to reach this stage, as many practitioners have faced an uncertain future, at a time of increasing pressure on their services.

Bar Council and Bar Standards Board Publish 'Bar Barometer' Report on the Profession

18 January 2012

The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, and the Bar Standards Board (BSB), the regulator of barristers in England and Wales, have today published the first full edition of Bar Barometer, an annual report on statistical trends within the Bar.

Crown Prosecution Service fees (fourth update)

11 January 2012

The Bar Council has provided an update on the latest developments regarding CPS fees.

Bar Council Closure During the Festive Period

23 December 2011

The Bar Council’s offices will be closed from 12:00 on Friday 23 December 2010 until Wednesday 4 January 2011.

Unified List

23 December 2011

In November, it was announced that the Attorney General had agreed that the Unified List in its current form should draw to a close in March 2012 and that new arrangements would be taken forward by the individual departments rather than under the auspices of the Attorney General's office.

Crown Prosecution Service fees (further update)

16 December 2011

On 23 November, the Bar Council invited criminal barristers to submit their views on the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) fee scheme proposals (see news item).