News and press releases

22 March 2016 - The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) and The Bar Council of England and Wales are extremely concerned to hear reports of raids on the houses of nine lawyers in Istanbul in the early hours of 16 March 2016.

18 March 2016 - The Bar Council has warned that the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget announcement that the Insurance Premium Tax will go up yet again is another barrier for hardworking individuals and families seeking justice.

15 March 2016 - Members of Parliament will today have the opportunity to debate the Investigatory Powers Bill in the House for the first time. The Bar Council explains where the Bill has gone wrong and looks forward to working with members on all sides of the House at committee stage to put in place proper protections for the right of citizens to consult with their lawyer in confidence.

15 March 2016 - The Bar Council of England and Wales will sponsor the category for Legal Aid Barrister at the 14th Legal Aid Practitioners Group Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) awards.

10 March 2016 - Despite recently announced changes to the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT), which include raising the pass mark, the Bar Council believes the test is still inadequate as a mechanism to filter applicants who have no prospect of obtaining pupillage or practising as a barrister. Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, Chairman of the Bar, said: “Over 1,500 students enrol on the BPTC each year, which costs between £12,000 and £19,000 in tuition fees alone, but there are only around 400 pupillages available.

10 March 2016 - Plans to create ‘lawyerless’ courts will not improve access to justice, the Bar Council has warned in response to plans for civil claims of up to £25,000 to go through an online court. Lord Justice Briggs’s proposals would mark a “fundamental” shift in our judicial processes, according to the Bar Council, but the professional body claims that failures in our justice system and court structures are in fact down to lack of investment and resources.

7 March 2016 - The Bar Council has stepped up its efforts to tackle any residual sexual harassment in the profession, now with a guide to help chambers.

3 March 2016 - Every year, throughout February and March, Bar Council members have to take part in the Authorisation to Practice process, which involves renewing your practising certificate, updating your professional information and paying your Practising Certificate Fee (PCF) and Bar Representation Fee.