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]
Bar Council reacts to regulatory proposals
The Bar Council has submitted two separate consultation responses on regulatory matters this week. One submission was sent to HM Treasury on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, and the second submission was sent to the Legal Ombudsman on its business plan and budget.
Justice is essential to tackling violence against women and girls – Bar Council
The Bar Council has called for investment across the justice system so that it can play its part in tackling violence against women and girls, whether that be the criminal, family or civil justice system, in response to the government's new strategy.
Many would leave family legal aid ‘in a heartbeat’ – new Bar Council report
Researchers spoke to 100 family barristers and found that many want to leave publicly funded family work as fees are worth about half their 1996 value.
Bar Council announces new Chief Executive to join in March 2026
Jim Morris CB DSO will take over from Malcolm Cree CBE in March 2026
Bar Council awarded for commitment to environmental responsibility
The Bar Council has been awarded the ISO 14001 Environmental Management certification for our commitment to environmental sustainability in its operations.
Bar leaders’ statement on government’s response to Leveson’s Review of Criminal Courts
The Bar leaders have issued a joint statement in response to the news the government plans to curtail the right to jury trials.
Bar Council urges government not to pursue changes to jury trial under mistaken belief that radical equals effective
The Bar Council has issued an initial response to the government's package of measures announced in response to Sir Brian Leveson's review of criminal courts. The Bar's representative body has warned that progress risks being undermined by proposals that compromise public trust and confidence in our criminal justice system through curtailing jury trials.
Bar Council and BSB establish steering group to implement Harman report
The steering group will ensure ongoing dialogue and information sharing
Bar leadership joint statement on jury trials
The Bar leaders met following the leak of a government memo on the response to Sir Brian Leveson's report
Updated guidance on generative AI for the Bar
“We recognise that the growth of AI tools in the legal sector is inevitable and occurring at a fast pace. As the guidance explains, the best-placed barristers will be those who make the efforts to understand these systems so that they can be used with control and integrity. "
Jury trials have not caused the criminal justice system crisis - Bar Council
The Bar Council has warned that curtailing the right to jury trials may result in a further lack of trust and confidence in our criminal justice system.
General Council of the Bar 2026/27 practising certificate fees and budget consultation
Barristers are encouraged to respond to the consultation
Barrister wellbeing improves but still work to do
The overall levels of wellbeing and job satisfaction of barristers continue to improve but the Chair of the Bar Council says there is still a lot of work to do.
Family courts central to tackling public emergency of violence against women and girls
We've set out a package of recommendations in our new policy paper
Bar Council response to BSB consultation on enforcement powers and procedures
We are pleased to see some of the recommendations of the FieldFisher and Harman reviews being addressed.