News and press releases

6 June 2016 - MPs debate the Investigatory Powers Bill in the Commons today, including measures to authorise the surveillance of legally privileged conversations between clients and their lawyers. Chairman of the Bar Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC said: "Amendments tabled for today's report stage of the Investigatory Powers Bill show that politicians are taking seriously the right of the client to communicate with their lawyer in private, without the threat of state surveillance.

27 May 2016 - The Bar Council has responded to today’s report from the Public Accounts Committee, on the criminal justice system.

26 May 2016 - In response to the LSB’s statement in support of paid McKenzie Friends, the Chairman of the Bar, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, explains why unregulated, unqualified and uninsured individuals should not be paid for helping litigants in person.

20 May 2016 - Email alert It has come to our attention that several members of the Bar have received emails this afternoon relating to the BRF or membership fees, purporting to be from membership@barcouncil.org.uk and signed off by Chairman of the Bar, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC. These emails are not legitimate and have NOT originated from the Bar Council. If you have received such an email please delete it and do not click on the enclosed link.

19 May 2016 - The Legal Services Board (LSB) has recommended to the Lord Chancellor that the Bar Standards Board (BSB) should be permitted to regulate Alternative Business Structures (ABSs). Director of Policy at the Bar Council Philip Robertson said:“Today’s announcement paves the way for barristers who wish to do so to practise in BSB-regulated Alternative Business Structures. Giving barristers more freedom of choice as to how they provide legal services supports innovation and widens the range of options available to the consumer.”

18 May 2016 - The Chairman of the Bar has responded to the Queen’s Speech, delivered today. Chairman of the Bar, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC said:“Today’s Queen’s Speech, delivered against the backdrop of continued economic austerity, highlighted the Government’s drive to cut public expenditure further and to reform public services. It is vital that access to justice does not become a casualty of the Government’s efforts to reduce the deficit and introduce reforms to the court service."

18 May 2016 - The Chairman of the Bar Council, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC has signalled agreement with the Bar Standards Board’s (BSB) concern for equality and diversity in the profession. As the independent regulator reported in its recently published Risk Outlook yesterday, the Bar Council also welcomed the focus on access to justice and on ensuring that consumers’ needs are properly met following the prolonged period of cuts to our system of justice.

13 May 2016 - Online wellbeing portal due to be launched this year