Press release archive
Bar Council press releases
Guest blog: HMCTS sets out new measures in court and tribunals
Paul Harris, Operations Director at HMCTS blogs on the latest developments on court capacity and safety that the Bar needs to know about
Bar Council responds to announcement on courts and Temporary Operating Arrangements
Chair of the Bar, Derek Sweeting QC, calls for long-term investment and highlights the impact of a longer court day.
Bar Council responds to new BSB report on retention at the Bar
Chair of the Bar comments on new findings around female and ethnic minority barristers.
Bar Council responds to introduction of Judicial Review and Courts Bill
The Chair of the Bar says governments and public bodies must be effectively held to account by the public via the courts.
Bar Council: More to be done on judicial diversity
The Bar Council responds to new statistics on diversity in the judiciary
Cyber attack warning for chambers
The Bar Council is ramping up efforts to help barristers guard against the surge in cyber attacks
Court Covid restrictions: Update from Chair of the Bar and Circuit Leaders
Important update from Bar leaders on how courts will operate safely from 19 July
Guest blog: Attorney General on the Bar’s role in tackling contempt of court on social media
Attorney General Michael Ellis QC MP writes exclusively for BarTalk on his recent #ThinkBeforeYouPost social media campaign and how barristers can play a key role in public legal education around contempt of court.
Bar Council warns of "persistent pandemic gap" in pupillages
Bar Council responds to BSB statistical report on BPTC student
Guest blog: “No hesitation” in returning to the virtual Pupillage Fair
Lena Amartey, employment practitioner at 9 St John Street Chambers, Manchester explains why she had no hesitation in signing up to participate again in the Bar Council’s Pupillage Fair 2021
Winner of the Bar Placement Scheme Blog Competition 2021: Digital Courtroom by Kinjell Singh
Read Kinjell Singh's winning blog entry about their experience of the Bar Placement Scheme
Bar Placement Scheme Blog Competition 2021 – Highly Commended: A Virtual Journey into 5 Essex Court by Shreya Tanna
Read Shreya Tanna's highly commended blog entry about their virtual placement at 5 Essex Court
Bar Placement Scheme Blog Competition 2021 – Highly Commended: At the Bar by Umar Majeed
Find out more about Umar Majeed's experience on the Bar Placement Scheme
Bar Placement Scheme Blog Competition 2021 – Highly Commended: Exploring Chancery by Imaan Kamran Malik
Explore the world of commercial chancery law in Imaan Kamran Malik's account of the Bar Placement Scheme
Guest blog: Working together to improve diversity, inclusion and progression for those who prosecute for the CPS
Rebecca Lawrence, CEO of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), writes for Bar Talk about working with the Bar on two pivotal developments which will drive progress for diversity and inclusion in the criminal justice system
Blog: Getting paid - top tips on civil (non-family) legal aid billing
The Bar Council’s Adrian Vincent, Head of Policy: Legal Practice and Remuneration, pulls together the highlights from the recent Bar Council Civil (non-family) Legal Aid Billing seminar on how civil practitioners can make sure they get paid for their work.
Guest blog: Pin your support to stand against bullying and harassment
Barrister Lydia Pemberton of 3PB explains how barristers can join together to tackle bullying and harassment with a simple, single gesture.
Guest blog: New ways of working can reduce the Bar’s environmental footprint
The re-evaluation of the way that we work both from home and in chambers can very easily include some simple steps to reduce our environmental footprint, writes Zoe Saunders, barrister at St John’s Chambers
Guest blog: Tackling the ‘wall of silence’ - how can chambers spot signs of domestic abuse?
Shahid Shoeb, Director of Legal Service for the Domestic Abuse Alliance blogs about the role of chambers in tackling domestic abuse, and the tools and guidance that are available to support staff, clerks and members of chambers.
New figures show court backlog going the wrong way, says Bar Council
Bar Council responds to latest statistics which show criminal court backlog is increasing
Bar Council says the Bar must have confidence in sanctions against sexual harassment
Bar Council urges BTAS to look again at some of its proposals for dealing with sexual harassment at the Bar
Bar Council warns of risks with moving to smaller juries
Bar Council says long-term investment, not reduced jury sizes is what the criminal justice system requires
Bar Council and Commonwealth Lawyers Association joint statement on China sanctions
The CLA and the Bar Council jointly call upon the Government of the People’s Republic of China to review and withdraw the sanctions imposed on legal practitioners.
Blog: Hybrid working - where do we go from here?
With many chambers now looking at making both home and office working a feature of chambers life, Carolyn Entwistle, the Bar Council’s Director of Services and Tom Pennington-Hare, Legal Director, Fox Williams LLP, look at some of practicalities they face in implementing a hybrid way of working
Blog: A glimpse behind the scenes at the Bar Council
The inner workings of the Bar Council, including its relationship with the regulator, the Bar Standards Board, is revealed by Natalie Zara, Head of Governance at the Bar Council
Guest blog: Greater representation is needed of those with visible and non-visible disabilities at the Bar
Barrister Christina Warner of Goldsmith Chambers writes about her experience with Stargardts Disease and how the Bar can better support those with disabilities.
Bar Council responds to the Government's Rape Review
The investigation and prosecution of allegations of rape has been crying out for reform, says Bar Council Chair Derek Sweeting QC.
Blog: Getting paid - top tips on family legal aid billing
Shiva Ancliffe QC of Coram Chambers and the Bar Council’s Remuneration Committee summarises the top tips from the recent Bar Council Family Legal Aid Billing seminar
Bar Council: “Racism should not be tolerated at the Bar"
Chair of the Bar warns that offensive comments can harm the Bar's reputation
Blog: Getting paid - top tips on criminal legal aid billing
The Bar Council’s Adrian Vincent, Head of Policy: Legal Practice and Remuneration pulls together the top tips from the recent Bar Council Criminal Legal Aid Billing seminar on how criminal practitioners can make sure they get paid for their work.
Blog: The good, the bad and the ugly – the ups and downs of social media
Ahead of chairing the Bar Council’s first Navigating Social Media for the Bar webinar next week (27 May), Shiryn Sayani, the Bar Council's Communications Manager (Policy and Campaigns) looks at how the past year has made social media even more important for barristers and chambers to get to grips with.
Blog: Which “pent up” practice areas can expect the dam to burst?
Predictive reporting from the latest quarterly LexisNexis GLP Index shows which practice areas at the Bar are likely to see demand increase, but also where the future looks less promising. The Bar Council’s Carolyn Entwistle and George Philpott, take a closer look at the data
Bar Council responds to Queen's Speech
Barristers say plans to 'restore balance of power' are lacking evidence.
Guest blog: A day in the life of a barrister during the month of Ramadan
An anonymous barrister from Red Lion Chambers guest blogs for BarTalk on a day in the life of a barrister during the month of Ramadan, and some of the unique experiences barristers face during the festival
Four Bars statement on the administration of justice post-pandemic
The Bars of the UK and Ireland issue a joint statement on remote vs. in-person delivery of justice post-pandemic.
Bar Council backs Charter for Black Talent
Initiative aims to increase the number of talented Black professionals in senior positions in the financial and professional services sectors in the UK
Bar Council responds to new sexual misconduct sanctions plans for barristers
Bar Council urges the Bar to respond to BTAS consultation on sanctions guidance
Bar Council comments on Domestic Abuse Bill receiving Royal Assent
The Bar Council calls it 'disappointing' that the Government has ignored our call to make non means tested legal aid available in all domestic abuse cases.
Statement of the Four Bars on PRC Government sanctions against barristers
The four professional bodies of barristers and advocates of the United Kingdom and Ireland are united in their condemnation of the sanctions announced by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) government against barrister members of the legal profession and their “immediate families”.
Guest blog: Leading the Bar towards carbon neutral
Great ideas can come out of informal meetings, even when they are online. Here is an idea which will help speed the Bar towards carbon neutral.
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