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 calls for ‘urgent and comprehensive’ investigation into HMCTS IT incident

The Bar Council is calling for an investigation as the HMCTS IT bug may have caused miscarriages of justice.

  • 8 August 2025
  • Press release

Bar Council AGM notice 2025

The meeting will take place on 13 September

  • 8 August 2025
  • News

Bar Council welcomes Professor Christopher Bones as new Chair of the Bar Standards Board

Professor Bones will take up the post in September

  • 25 July 2025
  • Press release

Intensive Supervision Courts expansion: rehabilitation key to tackling crime and reoffending, Bar Council says

The Bar Council has welcomed the government's announcement that it is expanding the Intensive Supervision Courts.

  • 25 July 2025
  • Press release

'Chronically under resourced' county court system is 'eroding justice', Bar Council warns

In response to a new report on the 'dysfunctional' county court, the Bar Council has called for reform and funding.

  • 24 July 2025
  • Press release

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

  • 23 July 2025
  • News

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

  • 9 July 2025
  • Press release

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.

  • 3 July 2025
  • News

Civil legal aid boost long overdue but falls far behind inflation

Bar Council reiterates call for independent fee review body for publicly funded Bar

  • 2 July 2025
  • Press release

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.

  • 24 June 2025
  • Press release

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.

  • 23 June 2025
  • Press release

What you might have missed at Bar Conference 2025

Our round up of Bar Conference 2025

  • 12 June 2025
  • News

Reforming Non-Disclosure Agreements

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) have been in the spotlight as one of the examples of ethical challenges for lawyers.

  • 12 June 2025
  • News

Professional ethics, the Bar and the LSB

The Bar Council's response to the Legal Services Board (LSB) consultation on upholding professional ethics.

  • 12 June 2025
  • News

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.

  • 11 June 2025
  • Press release

See more