Press release archive
Bar Council press releases
Guest blog: New court hijab goes beyond professional attire for Muslim women at the Bar
Barrister Maryam Mir of Doughty Street Chambers guest blogs for BarTalk on how her reacquaintance with a university friend and founder of Ivy & Normanton, Karlia Lykourgou, led to the creation of the new court hijab
Guest blog: Stammering and the criminal justice system
Esther Pritchard, a University of Sheffield law graduate and person who stammers, and her past speech and language therapist (SLT), Jennifer Short, explore the issues that people who stammer can encounter within in the criminal justice system, and what can be done to overcome obstacles
‘Census' for barristers due to launch to help shape profession's priorities
Barristers in England and Wales will be invited to play their part in shaping the way their representative body, the Bar Council, supports the profession’s needs by completing a survey about their working lives
Bar Council says new Lords report shows "neglected and diminished" justice system
The Bar Council responds to new report on Covid-19 and the courts
Bar Council response to sanctions by Chinese government
Chair of the Bar Derek Sweeting QC comments on news of sanctions .
Bar Council steps in over inconsistent harassment sanctions regime
The Bar Council writes to BSB and BTAS over ongoing issues with investigations and sanctions in harassment cases
Guest blog: “Forget the guilt and take action” - becoming an anti-racist advocate for the Bar
Barrister Professor Leslie Thomas QC says the profession as a whole has to ask meaningful questions about racism and what it means to lead an anti-racist life
Bar Council responds to PAC report on impact of Covid-19 on courts
The Bar Council calls for weaknesses across the whole justice system to be addressed.
Bar Council: Judicial review is a "national asset" for British citizens
Bar Council responds to Ministry of Justice plans to reform judicial review
New survey shows effect of pandemic on pupils
The pupil survey offers insights into the sustainability of the profession, as well as the quality of the training and supervision being experienced.
International Women's Day Q&A: Carin Hunt
We asked five women at the Bar from a range of backgrounds and seniority to share their thoughts on IWD - including their professional achievements, advice and the biggest change they want to see at the Bar.
International Women's Day Q&A: Susanna McGibbon
We asked five women at the Bar from a range of backgrounds and seniority to share their thoughts on IWD - including their professional achievements, advice and the biggest change they want to see at the Bar.
International Women's Day Q&A: Kate Bex QC
We asked five women at the Bar from a range of backgrounds and seniority to share their thoughts on IWD - including their professional achievements, advice and the biggest change they want to see at the Bar.
Guest blog: ‘This is not about us’ - complacency about the Bar’s gender pay gap
Allison Clare QC of Red Lion Chambers writes that although the optics look much improved on gender pay parity at the Bar, the data tells a less positive story. Writing for the Bar Council on International Women's Day, Allison provides some top tips on cutting the gap
International Women's Day Q&A: Teniola Onabanjo
We asked five women at the Bar from a range of backgrounds and seniority to share their thoughts on IWD - including their professional achievements, advice and the biggest change they want to see at the Bar.
International Women's Day Q&A: Adeola Fadipe
We asked five women at the Bar from a range of backgrounds and seniority to share their thoughts on IWD - including their professional achievements, advice and the biggest change they want to see at the Bar.
Justice Week blog: Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, Solicitor General
Writing exclusively for the Bar Council for Justice Week 2021, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, Solicitor General says the criminal justice system reacted admirably to the pandemic, but further challenges lie ahead
Guest blog: How to get the best from a remote mediation
Most cases suitable for mediation can be mediated remotely if done correctly. Antony Sendall of Littleton Chambers, and Jonathan Lux of Lux Mediation provide tips to help you and your clients to get the most from remote mediation
Bar Council: Roll-out of rapid testing in courts needed "sooner rather than later"
In response to HMCTS' announcement that a second rapid testing pilot is to start at Southwark Crown Court, the Chair of the Bar Council questioned why more pilots are necessary to "verify a scheme that is clearly sorely needed".
Guest blog: Pupillage in a pandemic
Helena Spector, barrister at Red Lion Chambers, guest blogs on her journey to tenancy in a pandemic
Guest blog: Thousands of pounds in potential funding for justice going unclaimed
Efforts are being made, with the help of the Solicitor General, to increase the use of pro bono costs orders at a time when those seeking access to justice need it more than ever, writes Greg Hodder, Head of Development at the Access to Justice Foundation
Guest blog: An advocate is never too experienced to work on their technique
A new podcast series, The Advocacy Podcast, has been launched for advocates of all levels of experience to hone key skills. It’s founder and host, Bibi Badejo, a barrister at 4 Brick Court, writes that the podcast also reassures aspiring barristers and junior members of the Bar that advocates are not born; they develop with graft and guidance
Change on diversity cannot come soon enough, says Bar Council
Responding to the BSB’s Diversity at the Bar report, Chair of the Bar Council Derek Sweeting QC stressed that "greater strides" were needed
Rapid testing "essential" to court safety, says Chair of the Bar
Responding to HMCTS' announcement of a rapid testing pilot, Derek Sweeting QC said that it was crucial to increase confidence among court users.
Guest blog: Charting a non-traditional route to the Bar
From raising funds for 9/11 victims in New York, to commuting at 4am from London to Nottingham to attend lectures, Victoria Alicea, a UK and US national currently undertaking a tax pupillage, writes about her journey to the Bar
New survey from Bar Council finds barristers at “breaking point”
Findings show some signs of recovery in workload, but highlight the extreme financial and psychological hardship still facing many barristers.
Bar Council: Closing courts should be a last resort
Chair of the Bar says government can and must do all it can to allow the work of the courts to continue
Running on Empty: New report finds serious problems with legal help for the public
A newly published report “Running on Empty” from the Bar Council reveals the severity of problems in the civil legal aid system.
Guest blog: New Access Award ‘taster’ initiative aims to improve Bar diversity
All too often we hear that people see the Bar as a closed shop, says Amy Smith, a barrister at 9 St John Street, but “diversity at the bar really does matter,” she says in her guest blog for BarTalk, which is why the new 9SJS Access Award initiative aims to give those thinking about a career at the Bar a deep insight into what life can be like as a barrister and play its part in improving diversity in the profession
Levelling the playing field in fraud – Amanda Pinto QC, Chair of the Bar
Although there are greater numbers of women getting fraud work at the junior end, we are a long way from parity, writes Chair of the Bar, Amanda Pinto QC
Guest blog: Why we cannot take our human rights for granted
Stephen Cragg QC, barrister and Vice-Chair of the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, guest blogs for BarTalk on International Human Rights Day (10 December) on why protecting human rights and role of human rights defenders is as important as ever today
Guest blog: The Lord Chancellor on investing in justice
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Rt Hon Robert Buckland MP, guest blogs on the coronavirus pandemic and how this shaped his priorities for the recent 2020 Spending Review
Guest blog: 2020 – a view from a junior barrister
Barrister Tim Kiely, who manages a general criminal practice at Red Lion Chambers, looks back on 2020 - “not a year that some of us expected to survive” – giving a perspective from the junior end of the Bar
Interview: Philip Dykes SC, Chair of the Council of the Hong Kong Bar Association
Mina Heung of Whitestone Chambers and member of the Bar Council’s International Committee, recently interviewed the Chair of the Council of the Hong Kong Bar Association, Philip Dykes SC, for his views on the key regulations in place in Hong Kong to assist with preventing the spread of Covid-19
Guest blog: Law Reform Essay Competition 2020 winner
Oliver Brewis, winner of the 2020 Law Reform Essay Competition, guest blogs for the Bar Council on his winning essay.
Guest blog: Top tips on accessibility during the pupillage application process
Isabel Baylis gives tips for how chambers and other organisations can ensure applicants with disabilities aren't blocked off from showing their potential in recruitment processes.
Q&A: How the pandemic has made law tech a priority
Global legal tech company, ABC Legal Services’ Sascha Mehlhase, Radley Angelo and Brandon Fuller discuss how the pandemic has rapidly pushed forward technological advances that were not a priority for the legal sector in the past. They look at what it means for access to justice and practitioners
Leading the charge: The international view – Bar and Young Bar Conference
Chair of the International Committee of the Bar Council, Steven Thompson QC, chaired a panel discussion entitled “Leading the Charge” at last week’s Annual Bar and Young Bar Conference, featuring speakers with huge experience in crime, commercial, chancery and family in the international sphere who set out their visions for the future
Guest blog: Sean Wilson, Chair of the Government Legal Department’s Race Network
Sean Wilson, senior lawyer at the Government Legal Department and Chair of its Race Network writes about his journey to the Bar and overcoming feelings of being an outsider
Guest blog: Chambers must play their part in law-dominated Social Mobility Employer Index
Sarah Atkinson, CEO of the Social Mobility Foundation, guest blogs for BarTalk on socioeconomic diversity in the legal profession, singling out the only chambers that ranked in the 2020 Social Mobility Index and giving three reasons why more chambers must join them in participating in the Index next year.
Guest blog: Why the CPS is working with the Bar to make the justice system a more inclusive space
Rebecca Lawrence, CEO of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), writes for Bar Talk about the work the CPS is doing to improve diversity and proportionality on the CPS external advocate panel
Guest blog: Why the Pupillage Gateway is an essential tool for improving divsersity
Laurie-Anne Power of 25 Bedford Row and the Bar Council’s Race Working Group looks at the equality and diversity benefits of using the Bar Council’s Pupillage Gateway, and its role in promoting an accessible and inclusive profession.
Guest blog: Only 2% of UK courts are accessible for the disabled
New research has found that most UK courts are not accessible for the disabled. However, a new, digital tool could help disabled court users overcome some of the hurdles they face in accessing justice, says Greenlight’s Hasna Haidar
Guest blog: Lessons learned from implementing a successful diversity initiative
Adeola Fadipe, pupil barrister at Outer Temple Chambers, writes about things she learnt when setting up her own diversity initiative, BME Legal, which can help chambers to recruit and retain diverse talent
Black History Month spotlight: Diversity on the Midland Circuit
Karen Kabweru-Namulemu, Midland Circuit rep on the Bar Council’s Race Working Group, writes about local initiatives to improve racial diversity and access to the Bar in the Midlands.
Guest blog: Safe Spaces – raising concerns about safety at the Bar
Sophie Garner, barrister and mediator at St Philips Chambers, writes about how the Bar Council is using Talk to Spot to paint a picture of how barristers are being put at risk in court, and how you can help real action to be taken.
Guest blog: “We want to make sure women have a reason to remain at the Bar”
With the arrival of the newly-formed Themis: The Intersectional Women Barristers' Alliance, its three co-founders, Margherita Cornaglia, Ailsa McKeon and Luna Spada, guest blog for BarTalk on why intersectionality is so important in pushing for equal opportunities, equal access to the Bar and equal progression within the profession
Guest blog: The expected benefits of the new Sentencing Code
Dominic Lewis and Alexandra Robson, of the Bar Council’s Law Reform Committee, look at the benefits expected of the new Sentencing Code, which began as a vast area of work for the Law Commission, and is now awaiting Royal Assent.
Who will be crowned the next Legal Reporting Award winner?
Bar Council opens entries for the revamped Legal Reporting Awards
Bar Council calls for commitment to zero tolerance on discrimination
New race-focused guidance launched in Black History Month
Government paying junior barristers less than national minimum wage
Bar Council provides blueprint for justice system in Spending Review paper
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.