Press release archive
Bar Council press releases
Bar Council marks Day of the Endangered Lawyer
Today (24 January) marks the 10th Day of the Endangered Lawyer, a day to acknowledge and reflect on the significant risk lawyers across the world face in upholding the rule of law.
Guest blog: Lawyers in danger
Patrick Duffy, barrister and member of the Bar Council's International Committee, blogs ahead of the Day of the Endangered Lawyer (Friday 24 January) on why the dangers lawyers face in Pakistan and elsewhere across the world has consequences for the rule of law.
Bar Council Legal Reporting Awards Winners 2019
The winners of the 2019 Bar Council Legal Reporting Awards are BBC journalist Clive Coleman and the i paper’s Rob Hastings.
Bar Council responds to televised court plans
Reality TV-style broadcasting of criminals being sentenced comes with risks that need to be guarded against, warns the Bar Council today as the Government looks to make the justice system more open with plans to film Crown Court sentencing.
Bar Council responds to new QC appointments
114 new Queen’s Counsel appointed in the 2019 competition.
The Young Barristers’ Committee vision for 2020
The Young Barristers’ Committee vision for 2020
Justice Week 2020 is coming soon
Justice Week 2020 runs from 24-28 February 2020 and will see the Bar Council, Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) and the Law Society team up to promote the importance of the rule of law to young people.
BAR COUNCIL LEGAL REPORTING AWARDS 2019
CALLING ALL JOURNALISTS - The Bar Council's 28th Legal Reporting Awards competition is now open.
Bar Council 2020 Elections: Results announced
The results of the Bar Council 2020 elections have been announced.
Queen's Speech 2019: Bar Council reaction
Chair of the Bar Richard Atkins QC reacts to the 2019 Queen's Speech.
MyBar maintenance
MyBar is undergoing temporary maintenance work
International growth at the Bar
Barristers' income from international work
Bar Council: Justice and the rule of law at risk
The Bar Council's Party Conference briefing sends a clear message to party policy-makers
Bar Council election candidates announced
2020 Bar Council election
Bar Council reaction to NAO report on court reform progress
Richard Atkins QC, Chair of the Bar, responds to National Audit Office report on HM Courts and Tribunal Service’s (HMCTS) courts modernisation programme
Bar Council comments on independence of the judiciary
The Bar Council expects the Government to uphold the rule of law in this country.
Bar Council comments on independence of the judiciary
The Bar Council expects the Government to uphold the rule of law in this country.
Bar Council ushers in new era of public affairs
The Bar Council has appointed Piran Dhillon-Starkings as Advisor to the Chair of the Bar, following Mark Hatcher’s decision to leave the Bar Council to devote more time to his role as Reader of the Temple.
Bar Council launches anti-harassment and bullying online tool
The Bar Council, which represents all barristers in England and Wales, is launching an anti-bullying and harassment online tool that will be available for barristers this autumn.
Bar Council reaction to Spending Review - tackling crime
Additional funding for criminal justice system in the Spending Review, but is it enough?
Notice of elections 2020
Elections for the 2020 Bar Council of England and Wales
Bar Council comment on courts sitting empty
Responding to reports on Twitter that Crown Courts across England & Wales were sitting empty on Monday, the Bar Council, which represents all barristers in England and Wales, has issued a statement.
2019 Annual General Meeting
Notice of the 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Bar of England & Wales
Bar Council warning over latest criminal justice figures
Chair of the Bar's reaction to the latest criminal justice statistics
Bar Council reaction £85m CPS boost
Treasury to give Crown Prosecution Service £85 million over two years
Elections to go digital this year
Barristers to ditch paper ballots for Bar Council vote
Have your say: CPS fees reference groups
As work progresses on the review of Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) fees, it is important that all members of the criminal Bar who undertake prosecution work are given the opportunity to engage and contribute to this work. To enable this, a number of reference groups will be established that will meet to discuss the key outputs of the review and gain feedback.
Bar Council: More can be done to improve diversity in the judiciary
Bar Council responds to Judicial Diversity Statistics 2019
125 years of the Bar Council: Lady Justice Hallett's speech
The Bar Council's work over the last 125 years
Double celebration for City of London Corporation and Bar Council as milestones are reached
City of London Corporation and Bar Council celebrate 100 years of women in law and 125 years of the Bar Council
Legal profession launches Women in Law Pledge
On Thursday 20 June 2019, the Law Society of England and Wales, the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) will join together to launch a Women in Law Pledge at the Law Society's international symposium on gender equality.
Hong Kong extradition laws update: Bar Council reaction
Bar Council comments on the decision of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong to suspend the process of amending the extradition laws of the Special Administrative Region.
Bar Council and YBC joint statement CBA ballot
CBA ballots on action over prosecution and defence fees
Comment on IBA report on harassment and bullying
The Bar Council comments on the International Bar Association's report that a third of women in the legal profession have been sexually harassed.
BSB recruitment timetable and written pupillage agreements consultation
The Bar Council welcomes the BSB’s consultation on the recruitment timetable and written pupillage agreements.
Lawyers unite for #LegalPride 2019
The legal professions of England and Wales - solicitors, barristers and Chartered Legal Executives are joining together to mark Pride events in Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Cardiff and London.
New support for barristers seeking judicial careers
Bar Council backs new judicial diversity move
Bar Council responds to Criminal Bar Association survey on CPS fees
Survey shows 95 per cent of criminal barristers would walk out or refuse to take cases over low pay
Barristers seek action from President Erdogan on Turkey's Day of the Lawyer
The Bar Council of England and Wales and the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) have sent a letter to President Erdogan of Turkey urging immediate action by Turkish authorities to protect lawyers and safeguard the rule of law in Turkey.
Joint notice from HMCTS on removal of court bundles
The Bar Council has met with HMCTS to clarify the correct position on which court bundles barristers and solicitors are required under data protection laws to remove from court, following some confusion about notices posted in courts which did not distinguish between papers belonging to representatives and those served on the court. HMCTS has now issued a joint notice confirming that only those bundles belonging to barristers and solicitors should be removed by them.
King Edward VI Handsworth School takes national mock trial prize
The coveted Bar Mock Trials National Champions title has gone to King Edward VI Handsworth School after its team won the Bar Council backed contest which sees non-fee paying schools compete against each other in mock court trials.
Bar Council responds to Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) pay increase
CPS lawyers are to receive a pay increase
Authorisation to Practise is now open
Subscribe to the Bar Representation Fee and renew your practising certificate
Bar Council response to HMCTS Court Reform Programme timetable extension
The Bar Council has responded to the announcement that HM Courts & Tribunals Service is extending its reform programme, pushing the finish date to 2023, a year later than previously planned.
Support for women across the Bar
The Bar Council responds to Lord Pannick QC's suggestion in The Times (21 February 2019) for the Bar Council to set up a mentoring panel of senior women barristers, highlighting support already in place.
Tackling judicial bullying: Advice for the Bar
Bar leaders produce guide for barristers on how to deal with judicial bullying
The Bar Council in the press: January-February 2019
The Bar Council in the news - a round-up of the Bar Council in the press
Barristers' flagship social mobility scheme heads North again
This week, the Bar Council holds its fifth annual Bar Placement Week (North) in Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester.
Pupillage Gateway deadline extended
Gateway to stay open for applications until 11am on Monday 11 February
LASPO Review: Bar Council reaction
Disappointment at LASPO Review
Bar Council speaks up on conviction of Chinese lawyer
The Bar Council of England and Wales expresses grave concerns about the recent conviction of Chinese human rights lawyer, Wang Quanzhang.
MOJ IT systems failures - Chair updates profession
Ministry of Justice IT systems failure. This is the message sent to the profession on Wednesday 23 January 2019 from Richard Atkins QC.
Day of the Endangered Lawyer 2019
This year, Day of the Endangered Lawyer draws attention to the situation in Turkey. The Bar Council has repeatedly raised concerns around the ongoing and large-scale prosecution of judges, lawyers, journalists and human rights defenders in Turkey.
Ministry of Justice IT systems failings
The Bar Council has contacted the Ministry of Justice and HMCTS for an update on the IT problems which are reportedly causing major disruption to their systems.
PHONE SCAM ALERT: Warning to barristers
Fake HMRC calls
Bar Council opens up membership to chambers
New annual chambers membership launched
Brexit Paper 28: Who will hold the Government to account on environment post-Brexit?
EU institutions currently have the power to fine the UK millions of euros if it fails to address breaches of EU set pollution limits, but who will police the Government on environmental standards when we leave the EU?
Disclosure, litigants in person and a 1964 miscarriage of justice
Bar Council Legal Reporting Awards: Winners announced
Post-vote analysis: What next for Brexit?
Chair of the Bar Council’s Brexit Working Group, Hugh Mercer QC, explains the options for the UK following Parliament’s rejection of the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal.
Bitesize Brexit: 'Deadlock or Breakthrough?' mini-series
The Bar Council has published a three-part Youtube mini-series featuring barrister and Brexit Working Group member Anneli Howard of Monckton Chambers.
Chair of the Bar, Richard Atkins QC, has congratulated the 108 new Queen's Counsel
Trends in diversity are encouraging
New head of the barristers’ profession takes office
Richard Atkins QC becomes Chair of the Bar for 2019.
New video series exposes real-life impact of legal aid cuts
The Bar Council and openDemocracy, the independent media platform, have joined forces to publish a series of videos and articles documenting the real-life effects of legal aid cuts.
Six days left to respond to our budget consultation
General Council of the Bar's PCF/budget consultation
Bar is helping to fuel UK economy and has 'Global Britain' in its sights
The value and volume of the Bar’s international work continue to show year on year growth, according to figures released today.
What to do in a 'no-deal' Brexit - Guidance to the profession
The representative body for barristers in England and Wales has issued guidance on what its members should do to prepare for a no-deal Brexit.
Judges of the people: #IAmtheBar social mobility spin-off initiative launched
#IAmtheBench highlights social mobility in the judiciary
Bar Council reaction to Lord Chancellor's AGFS announcement
Chair of the Bar, Andrew Walker QC, responds to news of more funding for Advocates' Graduated Fee Scheme
The Bar Council presents: The Different Faces of the Bar
For anyone interested in a legal career, wherever you come from
The Bar Council and Family Law Bar Association respond to the Government's and HMCTS' decision on piloting Flexible Operating Hours
Criminal courts excluded from pilot
Barristers step in over death threats to Asia Bibi's lawyer
In response to reports that Asia Bibi’s lawyer, Saif Ul Malook, has received death threats and been granted temporary asylum in the Netherlands, legal leaders in England and Wales have made statements.
Bar Council responds to Attorney General's disclosure review
Andrew Walker QC, Chair of the Bar, has responded to the publication of the Attorney General’s Review of the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Disclosure in the Criminal Justice System.
Bar Council signs new deal to ramp up wellbeing support for barristers
A new partnership has today been announced between the Bar Council and Health Assured to offer a new Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to the entire self-employed Bar, generously funded by the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund (BMIF). This marks a significant increase in assistance available to members of the Bar as part of the Wellbeing at the Bar programme.
Chair of the Bar makes statement on reports of discrimination against barrister
The Chair of the Bar has sent a strong message to solicitors about the need to challenge clients who discriminate against barristers because of their gender, race or any other protected characteristic.
Email scam alert
Scam warning for barristers and chambers
New research questions link between austerity and legal aid cuts
New research commissioned by the Bar Council reveals the full scale of a decade of dis-investment in justice and argues that decisions to make wholesale budget cuts cannot be blamed on austerity measures alone.
Autumn Budget response: Ministry of Justice the pauper of Whitehall
Chancellor of the Exchequer invited to see the effect of lack of investment in the justice system
"Justice as important as education and health" say public
Justice is as important to most people as health and education, according to far-reaching research into public attitudes to the justice system in England and Wales, but only 20% think there is sufficient funding in place for those who need legal advice.
Bar Council: LASPO has failed
Legislation passed five years ago has failed to meet its aims and has created an unfair and inefficient justice system, says the Bar Council as new research shows the true impact of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPO).
Notice of two Bar Council vacancies
To all practising employed Juniors or QCs over 7 years in practice
#IamtheBar campaign confirmed for Bar Council Pupillage Fair 2018
Students get in free
Iran urged to take rule of law opportunity
Iranian lawyers at risk
80 international legal leaders arrive in London ahead of Brexit
Opening of the Legal Year
Bar Council election candidates announced
2019 Bar Council election
Bar Council at the Party Conferences
Fair Play: The public demand for a better system of justice
Bar Council opens Legal Reporting Award entries
£1000 prize for top legal journalism
Refugee Tales
28 Tales for 28 Days. Refugee Tales will release each day, for 28 days, stories of those who have experienced detention.
Notice of elections 2019
Elections for the 2019 Bar Council of England and Wales
2018 Annual General Meeting
Notice of the 2018 AGM of the Bar of England & Wales
Bar Council develops digital ID card to help fast-track barristers into court
Bar Council pioneers new electronic ID scheme
10 of the things the Bar Council did in July 2018
What is it the Bar Council does? Here's a glimpse of some of the things the Bar Council did in July 2018.
Bar Council response to Justice Select Committee report on Criminal Legal Aid
The Bar Council has responded to the House of Commons Justice Select Committee’s report on the current state of criminal legal aid in England and Wales.
Justice Week to put rule of law and justice at centre of public debate
The legal profession is gearing up for the first ever Justice Week, a new initiative to put justice and the rule of law at the centre stage of public and political debate.
Disclosure failings - Government must admit funding link
The Bar Council has responded to the Justice Select Committee’s report, published following its inquiry into disclosure of evidence in criminal cases.
HMCTS not focused on fairness in on-line court reforms
Andrew Walker QC, Chair of the Bar said: “Today’s report from the Public Accounts Committee endorses many of the concerns raised by the Bar Council about the HMCTS programme of modernisation and reform, and underlines their importance.
Bar Council launches LASPO: 5 years on survey
Survey findings to support Bar Council submission to the Government's post-implementation review of LASPO
Brexit: Civil Justice treaty needed to protect UK interests
Following the Government's Brexit White Paper, the Bar Council has published the text of a draft agreement that would ensure that court judgments made in the UK and EU can still be enforced across international borders after exit day.