Press release archive

Bar’s climate crisis group co-chairs respond to PM’s net zero announcement

Estelle Dehon KC and Ben Cooper KC highlight concerns over legal uncertainty

21 September 2023
Press release

Bar Council welcomes BSB guidance on social media and conduct in non-professional life

The Bar Council thinks BSB has struck the appropriate balance

20 September 2023
Press release

New DPP announced - Bar Council comment

14 September 2023
Press release

Bar Council announces new contextual recruitment tool to boost social mobility at the Bar

The Rare Contextual Recruitment System will be added to the Pupillage Gateway from 2024/25

14 September 2023
Press release

Chair of the Bar calls for change to timing of Call in future-gazing speech

Nick Vineall KC delivered a wide-ranging speech on The Bar of 2043 at Inner Temple Hall

13 September 2023
Press release

Fixed recoverable costs: Bar Council insists on pay for work done

The Bar Council and PIBA have issued a strong response to the MoJ consultation on FRCs

8 September 2023
Press release

Reforming the Arbitration Act 1996 - Bar Council comment

The Bar Council welcomes the Law Commission’s careful and balanced review of the Arbitration Act.

6 September 2023
Press release

Tackling court backlogs will need commitment to significant additional funding

Bar Council Chair responds to MoJ announcement on plans to reduce the court backlogs

11 August 2023
Press release

Legal community gravely concerned: joint statement from the Bar Council and Law Society

Legal bodies issue joint statement in response to the Jacqueline McKenzie media reports

9 August 2023
Press release

Bar Council responds to Professional Enablers Taskforce announcement

The Home Office and Ministry of Justice have announced the new Taskforce today

8 August 2023
Press release

Wellbeing matters to everyone at the Bar: new video launch

The new video aims to encourage more conversations about mental health and wellbeing

27 July 2023
Press release

Bar Council responds to latest judicial diversity data

The latest stats show progress is being made, but not equally across the board

13 July 2023
Press release

Bar Council comments as Post Office Inquiry set to consider the role of lawyers

The Bar Council will be following proceedings carefully as the Inquiry begins its next phase

4 July 2023
Press release

There is no place at the Bar for misogynist and bullying behaviour

The Chair of the Bar responds to the Counsel cover story 'Speaking Up'

3 July 2023
Press release

Culture shift needed to deliver court reform programme

The Bar Council responds to the Public Accounts Committee report on the Court Reform Programme

30 June 2023
Press release

Bill of Rights Bill will not proceed - Bar Council reaction

The Human Rights Act should apply across the board, says Chair of the Bar.

27 June 2023
Press release

Legal firms urged to strengthen cyber defences with latest guidance from experts

Updated NCSC report highlights key threats to UK legal sector and how to improve cyber security.

22 June 2023
Press release

Nick Vineall KC congratulates Dame Sue Carr on LCJ appointment

Congratulations to Dame Sue Carr on her historic appointment.

15 June 2023
Press release

Bar Council reacts to Government's SLAPPs amendments

The Bar Council welcomes proposals to protect and promote fair comment and press freedom.

13 June 2023
Press release

Bar Council raises concern over treatment of Ahmadi Muslim lawyers in Pakistan

Chair of the Bar Nick Vineall KC has written to the Pakistan Bar Council

8 June 2023
Press release

Memorandum of Understanding signed with Bar Council of India

The Bar Council and Law Society hosted the Bar Council of India for the signing ceremony

6 June 2023
Press release

Lawyers for Pride 2023

The Law Society and Bar Council issue a joint statement for Pride

1 June 2023
Press release

Cab rank rule: statement of the Four Bars

The cab rank rule is a bedrock obligation for the independent referral Bar

26 May 2023
Press release

Slow steps of progress on widening access to legal aid

The Government has responded to the legal aid means test review

25 May 2023
Press release

Barbara Mills KC elected as Bar Council Vice Chair for 2024

Barbara Mills KC will become the first specialist family practitioner for 35 years and the first Black person to assume the role

22 May 2023
Press release

Bar Council launches new Wellbeing Certificates

As part of #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek this week, we have relaunched the Bar Council’s Wellbeing Certificates.

17 May 2023
Press release

Bar Council welcomes moves towards a more diverse judiciary

The MoJ has expanded the judicial roles open to CILEX lawyers

11 May 2023
Press release

Bar Council calls on Peers to reject deeply flawed Illegal Migration Bill

The Bill will undermine access to justice and contravene fundamental principles

10 May 2023
Press release

Bar Council of England and Wales calls on Israel to abandon proposed constitutional reforms

The Chair of the Bar has written to the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

28 April 2023
Press release

The cab rank rule is a bedrock obligation

A statement from the Chair of the Bar Nick Vineall KC

28 April 2023
Press release

Raab resignation: This has to be a fresh start for the justice system

The Bar Council is calling for sustainable funding and a rethink of the Bill of Rights Bill

21 April 2023
Press release

Bar Council congratulates Alex Chalk KC MP as new Lord Chancellor

The former Solicitor General takes up the post following the resignation of Dominic Raab

21 April 2023
Press release

Illegal Migration Bill amendment undermines rule of law

The Bar Council is urging the Government to reconsider

20 April 2023
Press release

Climate leadership in the legal sector

Guidance and resources for the Bar

19 April 2023
Press release

Prosecution fees increase confirmed for May

The Bar Council has welcomed the announcement

17 April 2023
Press release

Hundreds of school students compete in final of the Bar Mock Trial Competition

On Saturday at The Royal Courts of Justice hundreds of students from 22 schools across the UK will come together to compete in the final of the National Bar Mock Trial Competition.

24 March 2023
Press release

The cab rank rule and legal representation

A statement from Nick Vineall KC, Chair of the Bar Council.

24 March 2023
Press release

Bar Council comment on family mediation plans

Mandatory mediation for separating parents, without prior legal advice, is unlikely to be successful.

23 March 2023
Press release

Bar Council statement on judicial independence in Sri Lanka

The Bar Council of England and Wales calls for the authorities in Sri Lanka to carefully reconsider plans to question judges in parliament and disobey court orders.

17 March 2023
Press release

Rushed migration Bill runs counter to the rule of law, says the Bar Council

Ahead of the second reading debate, the Bar Council raising a series of concerns.

13 March 2023
Press release

PM and Home Secretary attacks on lawyers betray a startling ignorance

Chair of the Bar responds to political attacks on lawyers

8 March 2023
Press release

Bar Council hails the Singapore Convention on Mediation

The Bar Council welcomes UK Government's commitment to ratify the convention

2 March 2023
Press release

Court reform programme must not come at the cost of access to justice

Bar Council responds to the National Audit Office report

23 February 2023
Press release

Bar Council reacts to courts and justice announcements

Reaction to the announcement on Nightingale courts and speech by the Shadow Secretary of State for Justice

17 February 2023
Press release

Bar Council launches a plan of action to improve ‘Life at the employed Bar’

The new report sets out nine recommendations to support and champion employed barristers

8 February 2023
Press release

Bar Council welcomes parity for prosecution and defence fees

The Treasury has approved additional funding to the CPS

6 February 2023
Press release

Retained EU Law Bill will damage UK’s reputation, says Bar Council

The Bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on Monday

3 February 2023
Press release

Bar Council joins Justice Minister Mike Freer MP in first visit to the IDRC

The event marks the first ministerial visit to the IDRC in its 23-year history

1 February 2023
Press release

Nick Vineall KC prioritises independence, remuneration, regulation, and diversity at the Bar in the year ahead

The new Chair delivered his inaugural speech at Middle Temple

10 January 2023
Press release

Civil legal aid review essential but interim measures needed now, says Bar Council

The Government has announced a comprehensive review of civil legal aid

5 January 2023
Press release

Bar Council and BHRC statement on conviction of Richard Naidu in the High Court of Fiji

The Bar Council and BHRC have joined the Commonwealth Lawyers Association in expressing its concern

2 December 2022
Press release

General Council of the Bar 2023/24 Practising Certificate Fees and budget consultation

The General Council of the Bar has published its 2023/24 Practising Certificate Fees (PCF) and budget for consultation.

1 December 2022
Press release

Bar Council comment on MoJ Criminal Legal Aid response

The Ministry of Justice has published the second phase of its response to the independent review

30 November 2022
Press release

Race at the Bar progress report: Much to celebrate, much more to do

The Bar Council is highlighting action on race equality taken by chambers and organisations across the Bar

30 November 2022
Press release

Bar Council comment on the BSB handling of the report relating to Dinah Rose KC

The Chair of the Bar calls for a root and branch review of process

23 November 2022
Press release

Autumn Statement: Real terms cut for justice must not hit those in most need

The Bar Council response to the Autumn Statement

17 November 2022
Press release

Access to justice can’t survive further budget cuts: new report from the Bar Council

'Access denied' report reveals the current state of the courts, legal aid and law reform

16 November 2022
Press release

UK lawyers provide free legal help amid cost-of-living crisis - Pro Bono Week 2022

This week the UK’s legal sector come together for Pro Bono Week.

7 November 2022
Press release

Changing the narrative on crime: World’s Toughest Prisons host to headline Annual Bar Conference

Raphael Rowe announced as the keynote speaker on Saturday 26 November

3 November 2022
Press release

Arrest of lawyers in Iran statement

The Bar Council and the Bar Human Rights Committee have joined the international community’s call for the Iranian Government to end the arrest, detention, and intimidation of lawyers.

28 October 2022
Press release

Bar Council reaction to re-appointment of Dominic Raab as Lord Chancellor

Essential that public confidence is restored

25 October 2022
Press release

Gap between men and women’s earnings at the Bar shows more work to do, says Bar Council

New analysis of barrister earnings data shows differences by sex and practice area

24 October 2022
Press release

Winners announced at the Bar Council Employed Bar Awards 2022

The awards were announced at the Employed Bar dinner at Gray's Inn.

21 October 2022
Press release

Pupillage offers have recovered post-pandemic, Bar Council finds

The number of pupillage offers and applications are once again at pre-pandemic levels, according to a new report from the Bar Council published today.

17 October 2022
Press release

Bar Council welcomes criminal Bar ballot result

Criminal barristers have voted to accept the offer from the Ministry of Justice

10 October 2022
Press release

Bar Council creating new global connections through International Market Access Project

The Bar Council has signed Memorandums of Understanding with the Bar Associations of Sri Lanka and Guyana

7 October 2022
Press release

Opening of the Legal Year 2022

The Bar Council and Law Society have issued a joint statement.

3 October 2022
Press release

Bar Council engages Government on legal panels diversity

Government legal panels are lacking in diversity, says a new report published by the Bar Council today.

26 September 2022
Press release

Economic Crime Bill may confuse the role of lawyers, says Bar Council

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill would create a new regulatory objective under the Legal Services Act.

22 September 2022
Press release

Chair of the Bar Council on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this time

8 September 2022
Press release

Bar Council reacts to new Government appointments

A change at the very top of Government offers a chance to find new solutions.

7 September 2022
Press release

The criminal Bar must keep its independence

In a letter published by The Daily Telegraph, Mark Fenhalls QC calls for funding to stem the exodus of criminal barristers and to address the court backlogs.

25 August 2022
Press release

Criminal Bar Association Hardship Fund – information for applicants and donors

The CBA has launched a new Hardship Fund for members.

23 August 2022
Press release

Bar Council comment on criminal Bar vote to escalate action

Members of the CBA have voted to escalate action from 5 September.

22 August 2022
Press release

Legal sector joins business in calling for more negotiating time in India free trade deal

The Bar Council has co-signed a letter to the International Trade Secretary.

11 August 2022
Press release

Bar Council welcomes Kathryn Stone's appointment as Chair of the Bar Standards Board

Mark Fenhalls QC offers congratulations and warm welcome

4 August 2022
Press release

Joint message from the Chairs of the Bar and the CBA: Criminal Legal Aid

The Bar Council and Criminal Bar Association have issued a joint statement on the current situation regarding reform of criminal legal aid fees

2 August 2022
Press release

LSB competence statement ‘a solution in search of a problem’, says Bar Council

The Bar Council is concerned that the statement is an example of the Legal Services Board overstepping its remit.

29 July 2022
Press release

Broadcasting Crown Court sentencing will shine a light on the system, says Bar Council

The Bar Council has welcomed the announcement that cameras will be allowed in the Crown Court for sentencing.

27 July 2022
Press release

Bar Council welcomes BSB consultation on regulation of non-professional conduct

The Bar Standards Board has announced a three-month consultation on social media and non-professional conduct

21 July 2022
Press release

Bar Council hails new measures helping domestic abuse victims in family and civil courts

The Bar Council comments on new measures helping domestic abuse victims

21 July 2022
Press release

Bar Council welcomes action on SLAPPs to curb abuse of court proceedings

The Bar Council is responding to today's Government announcement on Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation

20 July 2022
Press release

Bar Council announces shortlist for Employed Bar Awards 2022

Find out who has been shortlisted in this year's competition

14 July 2022
Press release

Worrying pattern on judicial diversity shows more action is needed, says Bar Council

The Bar Council responds to the publication of the official Diversity of the Judiciary 2022 Statistics

14 July 2022
Press release

Bar Council disappointed with BSB decision to scrap the Bar Aptitude Test

Mark Fenhalls QC, Chair of the Bar Council, has issued a statement

11 July 2022
Press release

#LegalPride2022: Lawyers unite to celebrate 50 years of Pride

Lawyers will march together this weekend

1 July 2022
Press release

Criminal legal aid fee increases a welcome first step, but next stages critical to rebuilding justice system, says Bar Council

30 June 2022
Press release

Joint statement from the YBC and Young CBA on support for young barristers

The Officers of the Bar Council Young Barristers’ Committee and the Young CBA have issued a joint statement to young criminal barristers.

29 June 2022
Press release

New data reveals decline in access to justice

The Bar Council is calling for more funding for the justice system as it launches new data on access to justice in England and Wales.

20 June 2022
Press release

Bar Council comments on criminal Bar vote for 'days of action'

The Criminal Bar Association has announced that members of the criminal Bar have voted for ‘days of action’ due to start on Monday 27 June 2022

20 June 2022
Press release

Prime Minister must stop attacks on legal professionals, say Bar Council and Law Society

Following the Prime Minister’s comments suggesting lawyers representing migrants were “abetting the work of criminal gangs”, the Bar Council and Law Society of England and Wales have issued a joint statement.