Elections

Elections for the 2026 Bar Council

See the full list of candidates standing for the 2026 election.

Not all of the positions on Bar Council have been filled for 2026 and we’re looking for candidates to stand in the casual elections. See the open vacancies

What is the Bar Council?

The Bar Council is the governing body of the Bar in England and Wales. It considers and implements general policy with regard to all matters affecting the Bar, and it represents and supports barristers and the Bar.

Its membership is made up of approximately 115 barristers who are elected or who represent the Inns, circuits and specialist Bar associations.

Why you should join the Bar Council 

Members of the Bar Council have the opportunity to represent the views of their peers and take part in essential work representing and championing the profession. Bar Council members usually also sit on Bar Council committees which undertake detailed consideration of a wide range of legal and professional issues.

Former Bar Council Chair Nick Vineall KC said standing for Bar Council is “your best way to help make the Bar an even better profession than it already is.”

The roles are voluntary, and the levels of commitment vary depending on whether you also serve on committees, working groups or panels. The Bar Council meets 7 times a year and committees meet 4 or 5 times a year. Read the full Bar Council member role profile.

Successful candidates will join from 1 January 2026 for a three-year term (unless otherwise indicated). Those members who are due to retire from the Bar Council on 31 December 2025 will be eligible to stand for re-election.

Want to know more? Read Bar Council member Aoife Kennedy's blog: Why should you stand for Bar Council?

Election timetable 

Nomination period: 9am, Monday 8 September 2025 to 5pm, Friday 19 September 2025

Casual vacancies open to application: Tuesday 30 September to Thursday 30 October 2025 

Contested places will be voted on by members of the Bar Council: Friday 31 October to Friday 7 November 2025

All successful candidates will take up their roles on the Bar Council from 1 January 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].