Pupils positive about pupillage with incidents of bullying and harassment falling but disabled and second six pupils more negative, survey finds

The Bar Council’s annual pupil survey found 83% had an overall positive pupillage experience while more than half (56%) described it as ‘very positive’.

Pupil survey report 2026

This report is generated from our annual survey of pupils.

Beat the drum for English law – legal, government and business leaders agree

In this blog Natalie Darby, Head of Policy: International at the Bar Council, explains the importance of coming together to promote English law.

Bar Council pledges to defend international rule of law

The Bar Council supports the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) statement on the protection of international law and justice.

Barristers urge government to deliver specialist courts for sexual and domestic abuse cases, instead of restricting jury trials

The Bar Council, together with the Criminal Bar Association, is calling on the government to open specialist courts which would retain a jury but focus on sexual offences and domestic abuse cases, prioritising vulnerable victims/complainants.

Government’s proposal puts magistrates' courts at ‘high risk’ Bar Council warns as backlog reaches record high

New Ministry of Justice figures show that the magistrates' court backlog has now reached a record high of 379,437 cases. Meanwhile the government propose to move more serious cases out of the Crown Court and into the magistrates' court.

CourtWatch report is "timely intervention" says Bar Chair

The CourtWatch London project report shows why pushing to remove rights to elect to the Crown Court and moving many more cases to the magistrates’ court is flawed.

How does the Bar Representation Fee support the young Bar?

Among the payments for insurance, accountants, practising certificates, train fares and much-needed coffees with friends, the BRF can fall way down our list of priorities. However, in my view, the BRF is a small donation that allows the Bar Council to do important work for the benefit of the whole profession.