Press releases and news
Find all the latest major announcements, breaking news, press releases and commentary from the Bar Council on issues affecting the barristers' profession, justice and the rule of law.
The purpose of the Bar Council's press releases are to represent and promote the Bar nationally as well as globally, bring its voice to the public domain and defend the rule of law.
For more information about any press release or news item, call contact Press Office on 020 7092 8175 or email [email protected]
Legal Aid cyber incident – updates for the Bar
The Legal Aid Agency has been the subject of a serious cyber incident. This page provides updates for the Bar
Leveson report: diversion welcome but no need to curtail trial by jury, warns Bar Council
Our initial response to Part I of the Independent review of the criminal courts
Progress on judicial diversity is ‘too slow’
Barbara Mills KC, Chair of the Bar Council, said: “Every year we are told that there is gradual progress being made towards a more diverse judiciary, but it’s far too slow for Black lawyers and this is no longer good enough.
Civil legal aid boost long overdue but falls far behind inflation
Bar Council reiterates call for independent fee review body for publicly funded Bar
90% of pupils have positive experience but stress levels and doubt about future at the Bar increasing, new survey finds
A new survey of pupils has found that a vast majority of new barristers say they've had a positive pupillage experience with 8 in 10 feeling well supported by chambers or their employer.
Bar Council urges more chambers to sign Women in Law Pledge on its 6th anniversary
The Bar Council says "true equity remains a work in progress" as it encourages chambers to sign the Women in Law Pledge which is marking its 6-year anniversary.
What you might have missed at Bar Conference 2025
Our round up of Bar Conference 2025
Reforming Non-Disclosure Agreements
Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) have been in the spotlight as one of the examples of ethical challenges for lawyers.
Professional ethics, the Bar and the LSB
The Bar Council's response to the Legal Services Board (LSB) consultation on upholding professional ethics.
Spending Review is sign of listening to voices from the courts – Bar Council reaction
The Bar Council has welcomed the overall settlement for justice in the Spending Review.
Pride Month 2025: Inns of Court, Bar Council and Law Society to host landmark LGBTQ+ Pride event
The Bar Council and Law Society are jointly hosting a landmark LGBTQ+ pride event to mark a continued commitment to inclusivity, visibility and unity across the legal world.
Bar Council response to High Court ruling on the misuse of artificial intelligence
The Bar Council has responded to a High Court judgement which emphasises the dangers of the misuse by lawyers of artificial intelligence.
New report reinforces perilous state of criminal justice, Bar Council says
A new report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies has found that Crown Court productivity had recovered to post-pandemic levels by the end of last year, yet the record high backlog continues to rise.
Channel 4 News item on sexual harassment at the Bar
The Bar Council is signposting to sources of support
Tribute to Timothy Dutton CBE KC, former Chair of the Bar
Barbara Mills KC says he leaves a great legacy to the Bar