The emotional cost of legal aid work: ‘If you ask me what needs to change, it's not us’
With the government proposing to implement an increase for some legal aid fees in autumn 2025 following a consultation earlier this year, we asked barrister Jo Delahunty KC how the underfunded system has impacted the wellbeing of those who work within it.
Applying for mini-pupillage: insights from the shortlist
Barrister Rose Glanville, who is a member of her chambers’ Mini-Pupillage Committee, shares insights from the mini-pupillage shortlisting process.
60 years of reforming the law
In a guest blog for the Bar Council, the joint CEOs of the Law Commission, Jo Otterburn and Roshnee Patel, celebrate the 60-year anniversary of the organisation.
Bar Conference 2025: hungry for change
Barrister Tim Kiely discusses his experience attending Bar Conference 2025, where he felt 'change' was very much this year's theme.
Planning and environmental law is key to driving public law principles and practice - it affects us all
Richard Kimblin KC, who is speaking at planning for development and the environment at Bar Conference, explores why planning and environment law are key to driving the development of public law principles and practice.
The Bar in numbers
Ahead of the profession coming together to discuss what’s next for the Bar at this year’s conference, this blog examines the Bar in numbers, taking a closer look at the changes we’ve seen over the last few decades.
Statistics and the law: Why statistical literacy matters in the justice system
Dr Sarah Cumbers of the Royal Statistical Society explores the role statistics play in the legal process
Ethical support for the Bar
Fenner Moeran KC is one of the two Co-Chairs of the Bar Council’s Ethics Committee. In this guest blog he shares some of what that involves.
Gauke sentencing review: time for a more nuanced approach to justice
Michelle Heeley KC - who led the Bar Council's submission to David Gauke's sentencing review - responds to the final report, arguing that it is time we end the cycle of retribution and reoffending and instead focus on a long term solution.
The show must go on: dealing with pupillage rejections
Barrister Jack Meek offers some words of wisdom on how to deal with pupillage rejection: vent, self-evaluate and try again.
The evolution of family law - past, present and future
Our Bar Conference panellists share their thoughts on the most significant changes in the family jurisdiction
Community at the Bar
Eleanor Keehan and Nina Caplin talk to us about wellbeing at the Bar for Mental Health Awareness Week.
When insurance fails: how I paid £80,000 for protection and got nothing
Jason Sugarman KC urges all barristers to check policies carefully after his life insurance claim was rejected based on a technicality.
Pro bono advice and representation - part of being a barrister?
Ahead of the Bar's Pro Bono Awards, Sophie Cartwright KC explores why you should make pro bono a part of your practice.
Sentencing in the spotlight
Bar Vice Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC goes behind the headlines of the recent row over pre-sentence reports
Criminal and family systems must align to tackle violence against women and girls
Megan Cox, a criminal and family practitioner, outlines the lack of coordination in tackling VAWG
Pupillage at the employed Bar: life at Browne Jacobson
Pupil at Browne Jacobson Amalea Bourne shares her experience of working at the firm, the notable cases she has been involved in and why you should do an employed pupillage.
The rise of surveillance during protests: a threat to fair trial rights
There are dangers posed to fundamental rights by the growing use of surveillance evidence in criminal proceedings.
Residual Impact: Turning unclaimed funds into life changing support
The demand for Support Through Court’s free services has never been greater.
Clinical supervision: a critical framework for professional development
In this guest blog, Mark Hepburn highlights the benefits of clinical supervision for legal professionals
Legal education in schools can create a better society: Olivia’s volunteering story
Olivia Hardiman, a Bar course student, shares her experience of volunteering with the national education charity Young Citizens as part of The Big Legal Lesson.
Pupillage with a difference: life at the employed Bar
Government Legal Department pupil barrister Harrison Gorst shares his experience so far.
Susanna McGibbon welcomes Barbara Mills KC
Treasury Solicitor and Permanent Secretary to the Government Legal Department, Susanna McGibbon, reflects on Barbara Mills KC’s inaugural address.
Justice in crisis: Public Accounts Committee scrutinises Crown Court backlog failures
Witnesses from the MoJ and HMCTS faced sharp questioning about systemic inefficiencies, the government’s funding strategies, and the devastating impact of delays.
Bar Council Pupillage Fair CV clinic success story
Hear from a barrister who secured pupillage and tenancy thanks to the advice he received at our Pupillage Fair CV clinic - as well as the barrister who advised him.
Twinkle, twinkle, align the stars: a storybook guide to pupillage applications
Jack Meek offers advice to those applying for pupillage and suggests aspiring barristers take inspiration from their favourite storybook characters as the new pupillage recruitment round approaches.
Treasury Solicitor: leading the Government Legal Department through a year of change
Treasury Solicitor Susanna McGibbon looks back on 2024 and what lies ahead.
Legal Services Committee: a 2024 reflection
The Bar Council Legal Services Committee spoke to HMCTS Operations Director, Daniel Flury, about the administration of the court service. This blog explores what was discussed and what barristers should expect for the future of the court service.
50 years on: the Birmingham Six, miscarriages of justice, and the fight for truth
Pupil barrister Basanti Mardemootoo describes Chris Mullin's landmark work in seeking justice for those wrongfully convicted.
Is the Bar really a conservative profession?
Michael Beloff KC reflects on more than five decades in practice.
Dissociation and re-engagement – experiences of an employed barrister
Simon Regis CBE explores why some employed barristers may feel little affinity to the Bar Council and other Bar-based stakeholders when in employed practice.
Contextual recruitment explained
As we pilot a contextual recruitment tool on the Pupillage Gateway system, find out what contextual recruitment is and how it impacts the recruitment process, and hear from chambers already using the system.
Global meeting of the Women's Forum - giving gumption!
Tana Adkin KC's guest blog on the global forum and achieving justice and equality for women
From the courtroom to the cutting room
Barrister Max Hardy shares his experience working as a TV legal consultant working on shows including Mr Bates vs The Post Office, The Trial: A Murder in the Family and Landscapers.
Stop it – the duty to prevent sexual harassment and what it means for the Bar
8 steps the Bar can take to meet the new duty to prevent sexual harassment
How to approach pupillage applications: top tips from an incoming pupil
Emma Talbot secured pupillage this year with One Pump Court after 4 years of trying. Here she shares her tips based on her experience of applying over the years.
Pro bono gave me many ‘firsts’ in my career – and can for you too
Sarah Abram KC discusses how how acting pro bono gave her a lot of ‘firsts’ in her career, from cross examining a witness to speaking in the European Court of Justice.
Pro bono and the silk road
Edward Lamb KC explores how the pro bono work he has undertaken helped him take silk.
The importance of pro bono work: a lifeline in challenging times
Barrister Liam Kelly, who has undertaken pro bono work since pupillage, explores the multifaceted benefits of pro bono work, both for clients and barristers.
Advocate and securing pupillage: not so mutually exclusive
Emily McCurrie is set to start pupillage after working as a caseworker at the Bar's pro bono charity Advocate, experience she said was 'crucial' in helping her obtain offers.
Listing for pro bono counsel’s convenience? When court listing policies and access to justice collide - and what the Bar Council is doing about it
In the first of our Pro Bono Week blogs, co-chair of our Pro Bono and Social Responsibility Committee Samantha Singer discusses the Guidance on Pro Bono Advocacy and Judicial Liaison, a pilot project to help solve the issue with listing for pro bono counsel's convenience.
Labour's manifesto for justice: can it deliver lasting reform?
Paramita Bhattacherjee reports on the first meeting of the re-constituted APPG on legal and constitutional affairs
Cyber security awareness month: Why cyber risk management?
To mark cyber security awareness month, Lindsay Hill, CEO of cyber security company Mitigo, discusses cyber risk management and why chambers need a proactive strategy
'A unique opportunity to meet and learn from fellow legal practitioners': the Anglo-Dutch Exchange 2024
This year's attendees told us what they got up to and why you should sign up for next year's exchange.
How the CPS is increasing specialist rape advocates to reduce delays
The Director of Public Prosecutions explains how and why he's increasing the external RASSO Panel
Rights of Nature: a 21st century legal revolution
Paul Powlesland explores why nature should have its own rights and the role lawyers can play in incorporating them into our legal system
Reflections on the Law Reform Lecture: Reimagining law for the Earth
Barrister Fiona Petersen examines the Law Reform Lecture, highlighting a handful of the many interesting cases discussed.
Outside the walls of chambers - celebrating the impact of the employed Bar
Ahead of the Employed Bar Awards, we spoke to several shortlisted nominees about why the awards matter and what life is like at the employed Bar.
The future of outreach
Kian Goodsell explores why targeting secondary school pupils could help increase accessibility at the Bar.
A year on: how the Bar Placement Scheme helped me decide to study law at university by Samuel Chaplin
Samuel Chaplin participated in the Bar Placement Scheme in 2023 and is now hoping to study law at Cambridge.
Why should you stand for Bar Council?
Thinking of standing for election? Bar Council member Aoife Kennedy reflects on her first six months as an elected member
Bar Placement Scheme 2024: "The Bar - people for people" by Jasmine Sohl
Blog winner for the North, Jasmine Sohl, explores what she experienced during the Bar Placement Scheme and how it has inspired her to pursue a career at the Bar.
Bar Placement Scheme 2024: "The courtroom is a theatre of reality" by Katarina McCabe
Blog winner for the South, Katarina McCabe, shares her experience of the Bar Placement Scheme, exploring what a day in court is like, why she applied and what she learned from the experience.
Raising the Bar: Care-experienced people belong here
Lucy Barnes, co-founder of Lawyers Who Care, explains why representation of care-experienced people enhances access to justice
A Week in Legal London, by the California Lawyers Association
This guest blog provides an insight into the CLA and their annual Week in Legal London.
Thoughts from Bar Conference 2024
In a guest blog, Tim Kiely from Red Lion Chambers runs through the highlights from Bar Conference
If FRU didn’t exist, the Bar would have to invent it
To mark National Volunteers’ Week, Free Representation Unit Chief Executive David Abbott explains why the organisation is a crucial resource for its volunteers and the Bar.
Public pain about private prosecutions
In the wake of the Post Office scandal, barrister Philip Stott explores what should be done about private prosecutions.
Everything you wanted to know about ADR, but were afraid to ask
Ahead of the Bar Conference session we asked speakers where the opportunities for barrister lie
How do we remove the gender pay gap?
Speakers at a recent panel event share their practical solutions for tackling the gender earnings gap
The right policies can reverse the harmful trends in our prison system
A guest blog on prison reform by Tyrone Steele, Deputy Legal Director at JUSTICE.
Adapting to change: effective remote working at the Bar
Amrit Kaur Dhanoa and Rachel Holmes discuss how barristers can get the most out of remote working and chambers can ensure practitioners' are supported.
Bar Mock Trial Competition: making the case for legal education
Programme Coordinator Lizzy Cross spoke to students, volunteers and alumni about why the National Bar Mock Trial Competition is so important.
Taking stock and looking ahead internationally
The Bar Council's international strategy focuses on overseas visits and events that can foster relationships and develop practice opportunities for barristers.
"Ensuring no mind is left behind" - neurodivergence at the Bar
Adam Richardson marks Neurodiversity Celebration Week by exploring how a day in the life might look for a neurodivergent barrister.
Access to justice - follow the money
Stephen Kinsella discusses the important work of Law for Change in a time when access to justice is in crisis.
Palaces of Justice or just places?
Philip Stott writes about his experience working as a barrister in the crumbling criminal court estate in London and the need for sustained investment.
Inspiring inclusion at the Bar for International Women's Day
Bar Council committee chairs share their thoughts for IWD24
Raising practitioner awareness of the Retained EU Law Act 2023
Evanna Fruithof highlights the impact that this new UK legislation may have on the advice barristers give to their clients.
Why visibility at the Bar is so important
Marking LGBT+ History Month, Jody Klaire writes about the importance of representation, drawing inspiration from the barristers she admires and her own experiences.
Dealing with rejection when applying for pupillage
Pupil supervisor Linda Turnbull discusses what to do when encountering rejection at each stage of the pupillage application process.
Moving the needle on the diversity dial
The North Eastern Circuit Scholarship Fund is finally moving the needle on the diversity dial and can be adopted by other circuits nationwide, says barrister Glenn Parsons in a guest blog for the Bar Council.
Judge led action is future-proofing judicial diversity
Martin Forde KC explains how the Judicial Targeted Outreach programme works.
Dispelling myths about transferring to different parts of the Bar
Barrister Charlotte Pope-Williams answers some of the most frequently asked questions about transferring between different forms of practice at the Bar.
Pupillage at the employed Bar: day in the life of a pupil barrister at HMRC
A pupil barrister at HMRC Solicitor’s Office lays out what he gets up to in a typical day.
“We must come together as one Bar to tackle inappropriate behaviour”: Attorney General reacts to Bar Council report on bullying, harassment and discrimination
Rt Hon Victoria Prentis KC MP responds to the report and urges the Bar to submit feedback and ideas to the review.
Pupillage at the employed Bar: insight into pupillage at the Nursing and Midwifery Council
Hear from a pupil, pupil supervisors and the head of the pupillage scheme at the Nursing and Midwifery Council in this blog from our series on pupillage at the employed Bar.
Treasury Solicitor: I value the close engagement we have on common issues
Treasury Solicitor Susanna McGibbon responds to new Chair Sam Townend KC's inaugural speech.
Pupillage at the employed Bar: demystifying the process
Barrister David Fardy and pupil barrister Carlé Aven-Kamal share their respective experiences on undertaking employed pupillage.
Top tips on completing your Pupillage Gateway application from Mark Harries KC
Barrister and advocacy trainer Mark Harries KC shares his guidance on completing the Pupillage Gateway application.
Make the most of your Pupillage Gateway application: References and bespoke questions
This blog explores how to complete the references and bespoke questions sections of your Pupillage Gateway application.
Make the most of your Pupillage Gateway application: Extenuating circumstances
This blog discusses how to complete the extenuating circumstances section of you Pupillage Gateway application.
Criminal Bar Association Chair on behaviour and standards at the criminal Bar
Tana Adkin KC discusses how and why integrity should remain at the heart of the profession
Make the most of your Pupillage Gateway application: Extracurricular activities and awards
This blog explores how to complete the scholarships and awards, and the Interests and recreational activities sections of your Pupillage Gateway application.
Make the most of your Pupillage Gateway application: Education history
This blog explores how to complete and make the most of the Education history section of your Pupillage Gateway application.
Make the most of your Pupillage Gateway application: Employment and work experience history
This blog discusses how to complete and make the most of the Employment and work experience history section of your Pupillage Gateway application.
Pupillage at the employed bar: Day in the life of a Crown Prosecutor
Crown Prosecutor Alice Holloway discusses the benefits of practising at the CPS and shares what a typical working day looks like.
The 10,000 Black Interns (10KBI) Programme: ‘A unique platform to break through barriers’
The 10,000 Interns Foundation provides paid internships for Black students and graduates through the 10,000 Black Interns (10KBI) Programme. The exposure to life at the Bar from an array of perspectives has proven to be invaluable to interns. Here, some of 2023’s interns share their thoughts and reflections on their experiences.
Pupillage at the employed Bar: Citibank
An interview with Sharon Blackman OBE, Head of FX Legal at Citi and Corinna McClune, Citi's Sanctions, AML and Anti-Bribery Counsel and Senior Vice President.
Do chambers need greater regulation, or just better support?
The Bar Council has been exploring the question of chambers management and regulation. Our Director of Services, Carolyn Entwistle, outlines the background and the steps that we are taking to improve our support in this area.
International Bar Association’s Annual Conference, Paris 2023: key highlights and takeaways
The annual International Bar Association’s (IBA) Conference, held this year in Paris from 29 October to 3 November, is the leading conference for legal professionals. This blog explores key highlights and takeaways from the week.
Bar in the Community: how and why to get involved
What is the Bar in the Community initiative? Learn about how it works, and why you should get involved.
The ups and downs of pro bono work
Family barrister Sarah Philimore writes about the difficulties of pro bono work, from keeping schemes afloat to lawyers’ objections and even hostility towards pro bono work.
Pro Bono Week: How pro bono makes a real difference
Jo Brown, of 4PB, reveals that while undertaking pro bono work can be a ‘run of the mill’ small commitment, the impact for the client can be immeasurable.
Giving a voice to the voiceless: the benefits of pro bono and how to get involved
Barrister Karl Anderson discusses his experience of undertaking pro bono work, and urges colleagues to volunteer in what can be 'life changing' work, both for clients and for legal professionals themselves.
East Africa Business Development Visit 2023: ‘The Bar can collaborate on international legal projects in all areas of law’
Barrister Hammad Baig discusses the Bar Council’s East Africa visit, where the message was spread that “the Bar is equipped with the skills to collaborate on international legal projects in all areas of law whether it be arbitration, tax or international contractual disputes”.
Pro Bono Week: the power of pro bono
Frances Ridout, Director of Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre, says there is still further that we can go as self-employed or employed barristers to contribute to the pro bono landscape.
Pro bono costs orders: An ‘easy and straightforward’ way to increase resources
As part of Pro Bono Week 2023, Davina Patel, the Senior Development Officer at the Access to Justice Foundation, writes about pro bono costs orders and how they can help secure access to justice for clients from marginalised communities.
If it looks like a duck – the new test for conducting litigation?
Baxter v Doble has caused concern to some public access barristers and the extent to which the definition of the conduct of litigation will impact on public access practice is unclear. In a guest blog for the Bar Council, Andrew Granville Stafford explains the issues.