Press release archive
Bar Council press releases
Chair of the Bar: The Law Officers must defend the rule of law, even when it is unpopular with the Government
Amanda Pinto QC, Chair of the Bar, says that even with the latest amendments to the Internal Market Bill, the rule of law and the UK's reputation remains under threat
#IAmTheBar guest blog: Sounding different, not giving up and taking my shot
Jack Meek, pupil barrister at the Government Legal Department, writes about his experience with social mobility and his journey from Northern Ireland to the GLD, as well as why he feels an affinity with the Broadway musical “Hamilton”.
New sentencing plans “not the answer to restoring public trust”
The Bar Council says new Government plans for tougher sentencing are not the answer to restoring public trust in the justice system
Covid-19 creating new challenges for social mobility at the Bar
Bar Council campaign grows by 10 more barristers as new Leadership Programme announced
Guest blog: Zimbabwe and the escalating crackdown
Michael Ivers QC, Membership Secretary of the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, guest blogs on the increasingly concerning crackdown on dissent in Zimbabwe and what it means for human rights and the rule of law in the country.
Guest blog: Life as a disabled barrister
Barrister, Sarah Phillimore guest blogs on the challenges faced as a disabled barrister and how the physical environment of most courts, and the journeys to them, act as a barrier to the physically disabled.
Guest blog: Strictly legal – do entities offer a more positive future for the Bar?
Nigel Wallis, Director, O’Connors Legal Services Limited, looks at how in the face of legal aid cuts, the impact of the pandemic, the rise of public access and other factors, BSB entities might now be the way forward for the Bar in future.
How barristers can make the most of social media
CEO of MD Communications, Melissa Davis, who prompted one-time novice turned titan of Twitter, Gerard McDermott QC to join social media, looks at how the way that barristers use social media has changed and provides tips with input from the Bar's top Twitterati on what those aspiring to build a brand on social media can learn from those already using it.
Guest blog: Colombia, Covid-19 and the rule of law
Toby Cadman of Guernica 37 Chambers and the Bar Council’s International Committee continues the focus on Covid-19 in South America, this time considering the position in Colombia.
Return to work in Chambers
A recent LPMA and IBC survey found that chambers have seen very little increase in the number of members returning to the office.
Guest blog: Brazil, Covid-19 and the rule of law
Frederico Singarajah of Hardwicke Chambers and the Bar Council's International Committee considers the rule of law position in Brazil.
Guest blog: Qualifying as a mediator with the Bar Council's acclaimed programme
Jonathan Dingle and Andrea Barnes, Joint Heads of Chambers at Normanton Chambers and Society of Mediators Course Leaders, explain why it's worth taking the Bar Council's exceptional accredited mediator training course.
New report reveals England & Wales spends more on coffee than on law and order
Bar Council's latest report reveals the extremely worrying scale of law and order in Britain
Guest blog: How will restricting jury trial and reducing jury numbers affect the delivery of justice?
Tana Adkin QC, barrister at Charter Chambers and member of the Bar Councils Retention Panel, looks in-depth at the many reasons why jury trials should not be tampered with
Guest blog: Gender-bias - are you speaking the language of the legal directories?
Even the language used by referees in legal directories is gender-biased, says Melissa Davis, CEO of MD Communications, but efforts are already being made in the legal sector to challenge this subconscious bias in language, which can act as a barrier for women in law looking to progress their careers
Why Hong Kong’s national security laws are incompatible with the rule of law
The Bar Council’s International Committee member, David O’Mahony, argues that Hong Kong’s national security law contains provisions that are incompatible with the rule of law
Guest blog: India, Covid-19 and the rule of law
David O’Mahony of the Bar Council's International Committee and barrister at 7 Bedford Row, assesses the unfolding and complex situation in India, raising concerns as to the legal basis for the powers being exercised and the way in which they are being enforced in light of Covid-19
Guest blog: Taiwan, Covid-19 and the rule of law
Simon Milnes of the Bar Council's International Committee, barrister at Twenty Essex, highlights that there is no sign of the Executive in Taiwan seeking to use the pandemic as a pretext for increasing its powers or weakening the rule of law
New research reveals full impact of Covid-19 restrictions on the self-employed Bar
Government support for the self-employed haven't worked
Guest blog: Attorney General - – restoring public confidence in criminal justice
The Attorney General, Suella Braverman QC MP, guest blogs on plans to change the guidelines on disclosure and the CPIA Code in order to restore the public’s confidence in the administration of the criminal justice system.
Guest blog: On the front line with Black Protest Legal Support UK
Yvonne Kramo, Black Protest Legal Support UK (BPLS) committee member, writes on how hundreds of BPLS legal observers have been assisting Black Lives Matter protestors
Guest blog: Covid-19, Ghana and the rule of law
In the first of a series of articles on international perspectives on the rule of law in light of Covid-19, barrister David Owusu-Yianoma focuses on Ghana
Guest blog: Social immobility in a Covid-19 era
Sailesh Mehta of Red Lion Chambers writes about how social mobility has changed since he came to the Bar and the impact Covid-19 is having on progress across the profession
Guest blog: Bringing back trials: A look behind the scenes
Iain MacDonald, Chair of the Bar Council’s Restarting Criminal Justice Working Group gives an exclusive look behind the scenes into the work of the group and the options for bringing back jury trials safely and quickly.
Young Bar blog: Supporting the Young Bar During Covid-19: Part Four
Read the latest update from Katherine Duncan & Joanne Kane, Chair and Vice-Chair of the Bar Council's Young Barristers’ Committee (YBC) on why young barristers need to take action to protect chambers from financial collapse and back a new campaign
Bar Council steps up to help 'essential worker' self-employed barristers get tested for Covid-19
Self-employed barristers can now apply for Coronavirus testing through the Bar Council.
Guest blog: Covid-19, Anti Money Laundering Measures and Customer Due Diligence
Christopher Convey, Chair of the Bar Council’s Money Laundering Working Group
Young Bar blog: Supporting the Young Bar During Covid-19: Part 3
Katherine Duncan and Joanne Kane, Chair and Vice-Chair respectively of the Bar Council's Young Barristers’ Committee (YBC)
Guest blog: Shielding the Rule of Law from the effects of Covid-19
Steven Thompson QC, Chair of the Bar Council’s International Committee
New research: Delaying justice will leave us with no barristers to pick up the pieces
Bar Council's latest research shows beliefs that people are now unable to properly access justice
Bar Council response to latest crime figures on charging rates
The Bar Council has responded to the latest police recorded crime and outcomes data, calling figures "appalling".
Guest blog: Susan Acland-Hood, CEO, HMCTS - Uniting to tackle coronavirus in our courts and tribunals
Susan Acland-Hood, Chief Executive, HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), guest blogs for BarTalk on how HMCTS is in constant dialogue with the Bar and others to make sure the courts and tribunals keep running despite the Covid-19 crisis.
Bar Council response to CPS decision to prioritise serious cases
Amanda Pinto QC, Chair of the Bar responds to the CPS announcement that prosecutors are to prioritise serious cases to manage the impact of coronavirus
Bar Council reaction to the Justice Committee evidence session being held in private
The Bar Council has issued a statement in response to the Justice Select Committee evidence session with the Lord Chancellor on the impact of Covid-19 on the justice system being held online and in private.
Young Bar blog: Supporting the Young Bar during COVID-19 Part 2
Read the latest update from Katherine Duncan & Joanne Kane, Chair and Vice-Chair of the Young Barristers’ Committee (YBC) on their progress to ensure the safety of young barristers and pupils during the times of COVID-19
Bar Council urges Government to act over the Bar's Covid-19 financial fears
New survey findings reveal main concerns of the profession
Bar Council: Chancellor's financial package must match up
Ahead of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s expected support package for the self-employed, the Bar Council has urged the self-employed who work to keep the justice system running are factored into his plans.
Young Bar blog: Supporting the Young Bar during COVID-19
Katherine Duncan & Joanne Kane, Chair and Vice-Chair of the Young Barristers’ Committee (YBC) share how they work to ensure the safety of young barristers and pupils during the times of COVID-19
Update from the Chair of the Bar: Attending court following the Prime Minister's latest announcement
Updated guidance on attending hearings
Updated guidance to the Bar from the Bar Council in the wake of new measures announced by the Prime Minister to limit the impact of Covid-19
Self-employed barristers and chambers eligible for coronavirus measures to support businesses
Bar Council secures confirmation of VAT deferred payments and Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme eligibility for the Bar
Chair of the Bar's Update: Further detail on 'key workers' during Covid-19
Chair of the Bar, Amanda Pinto QC's message on the most up to date guidance from the Government on 'key worker' status in the justice system
Bar Council: Barristers are key workers
In response to the government's announcement of the criteria of a 'key worker', the Bar Council has issued a statement.
Guest blog: Susan Acland-Hood, CEO, HM Courts & Tribunals Service - Unprecedented times
Susan Acland-Hood, CEO, HM Courts & Tribunals Service, blogs exclusively for BarTalk on the latest developments in the courts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic
Bar Council calls on Ministry of Justice to urgently halt jury trials
The Bar Council has issued a statement in response to the Ministry of Justice's decision to keep the courts in England and Wales operating normally.
Young Bar blog: Pupillage Interview Advice - the Best Things in Life are Free
Aspiring barristers shouldn't have to pay for help when preparing for pupillage interviews, says the Bar Council's Young Barristers' Committee
Bar Council reaction to "fragmented" justice Budget from Chancellor
Budget 2020: Bar Council reaction
Resolution on the Rule of Law
The Bar Council has joined hands with 46 legal organisations in support of the Protection of the Rule of Law in Europe, as well as the independence of the judiciary in Poland.
Five things we did in February 2020
See a snapshot of the Bar Council's work in our feature "Five things the Bar Council did” and read the top five picks from February
Learning to Mediate: A View from the Bar Council
The Bar Council’s Head of Services, Carolyn Entwistle, and Policy Analyst, Stuart McMillan, recently attended The Society of Mediators’ Foundation Mediation course to better understand the place of mediation in today’s legal market.
Budget 2020: Bar Council budget submission to HM Treasury
Ahead of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget on March 11 2020, the Bar Council has submitted its 10 asks to HM Treasury to create a more sustainable justice system
Guest blog: Social mobility – does Oxbridge matter?
Stuart Jessop, barrister at 6 Pump Court blogs on whether his polytechnic background was a benefit or a barrier to gaining pupillage and whether the Bar needs to look more closely on whether it recruits on potential or on other factors such as age, race, gender, what school or university you went to
Young Bar blog: Elevating publicly available legal resources: The Legal Design Sprint
Joanne Kane, Vice Chair of the Bar Council's Young Barristers' Committee (YBC) looks in more detail at 'legal design sprints'
Regulating legal services: justice, not simplicity is the goal
The Bar Council’s Melanie Mylvaganam, Policy Manager: Regulatory Affairs, Law Reform and Ethics and Eleanore Hughes, Policy Analyst: Regulatory Affairs, Law Reform and Ethics, give an overview of the issues discussed at a recent forum.
Guest blog: Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP - Legal education can empower young people
Teaching young people about the law will create a more empowered generation