The Bar Council is experiencing some technical difficulties at the moment which are affecting our members' access to MyBar and the Direct Access Portal.

All other Bar Council systems are still functioning, including emails, the Bar Council website, Pupillage Gateway, Ethics & Practice Hub, and Wellbeing at the Bar website.

The Authorisation to Practise deadline has now been extended for a second month, to 30 June 2022, so all those who currently have practising certificates can continue to practise without the need to contact The General Council of the Bar of England and Wales. In the meantime, those who need a practising certificate because they are starting or returning to practice, can be authorised without a certificate if they email records@barcouncil.org.uk. For authorisation to practise without a provisional practising certificate please email contactus@barstandardsboard.org.uk. The expiration date for the Professional Users Courts and Tribunals Access Scheme has also been extended until 31 May 2022 and we will begin this year’s renewal process as soon as we are able to do so.

We apologise if you have had difficulty contacting us during this time. Read our joint statement.

Committee vacancies

Bar Council Young Barristers' Committee

Vacancies for barrister representatives in civil/commercial practice to join the Young Barristers’ Committee

The Bar Council believes young barristers are the future of the Bar and works to represent its members and advocate for its needs across the slate of its policy work.

Its recent activities have included: efforts to strengthen relations with international Bar Associations and Specialist Bar Associations; working with the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks on fair allocation of work materials; responding to consultations from HM government; publishing policy reports such as the Life at the Young Bar report; collaborating with other relevant bodies on issues surrounding wellbeing and bullying and harassment, and feeding into wider Bar Council policy work such as its response to the Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review.

The Young Barristers’ Committee has a policy role in acting as the voice of the young (up to 7 years PQE) profession and the various challenges it faces, advocating for its needs and representing its interests

There are 7 meetings per year;
The Chair is Michael Polak, of Church Court Chambers

Specifically, the Committee is looking for applicants who could fill a gap it has for a civil/commercial practitioner. Their role on the Panel need not be defined by this, but it would be an aspect of their appointment.

The Bar Council is committed to ensuring diversity in the make-up of its committees. Applications are particularly welcome from members of those groups who are underrepresented at the Bar.

All Bar Council Committee members are encouraged to pay the Bar Representation Fee.

How to apply

Applicants should send a copy of their CV accompanied by a short, written statement explaining their suitability for the role and describing their skills and experience to: Stuart McMillan: Policy & Programmes Manager, SMcMillan@BarCouncil.org.uk

The closing date for applications is 10:00, Friday, 27 May 2022.