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
Reinstate Chief Justice of Ghana, says Bar Council and Commonwealth Lawyers Association
The Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) have called on the President and Government of Ghana to immediately reinstate Justice Gertrude A.E.S. Torkornoo.
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.
Bar Council AGM notice 2025
The meeting will take place on Saturday 13 September
Bar Council welcomes Professor Christopher Bones as new Chair of the Bar Standards Board
Professor Bones will take up the post in September
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.
'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.
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.