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 welcomes increase to Crown Court sitting days but warns long-term investment is needed to reduce case backlog

"Continuing to limit the number of sitting days will mean the backlog is only being chipped away. To have an immediate and significant impact on the delays, there should be no limit to the number of days that courts can sit."

  • 1 October 2025
  • Press release

Bar Council statement on the 10,000 Black Interns programme

We've restated our support for the programme in response to a social media backlash

  • 30 September 2025
  • Press release

Global gathering to focus on the safety and protection of lawyers

As part of the opening of the legal year, lawyers' organisations from around the world will convene in London to discuss the threats facing the global legal profession.

  • 29 September 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

  • 25 September 2025
  • News

First of its kind educational programme made with barristers to tackle stereotypes and build essential oracy skills

The Bar Council has launched a new oracy programme for 7-11 year olds to tackle career stereotypes and improve children’s listening and speaking skills.

  • 18 September 2025
  • Press release

New employment policy templates for chambers

The 12 new templates support chambers with best practice

  • 17 September 2025
  • News

The government has a choice - investment needed as family justice system fails vulnerable children

"These recommendations provide a roadmap to change but they will not bear the fruit which children, families and those working across the court system need to see and feel without comprehensive investment in family justice."

  • 12 September 2025
  • Press release

Independent review into bullying and harassment unveils ‘radical’ reforms to tackle ‘unsustainable situation’ at the Bar

Baroness Harriet Harman KC has set out 36 recommendations in her independent review of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar to tackle what she describes as a culture of “impunity” and “collusive bystanding”.

  • 8 September 2025
  • Press release

Bar Council reacts to new Sentencing Bill

Steps have been made in the right direction but if the Government wants to meet its ambitious law and order agenda, it needs a functioning system from start to finish.

  • 4 September 2025
  • Press release

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.

  • 14 August 2025
  • Press release

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 Saturday 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

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