The Bar Council

The New Law Journal article called 'Change starts now' is shown on a tablet screen. The adjacent text includes a quote from the article which reads: "This is an issue that I am personally very committed to as a practitioner, as a joint head of chambers and now as Chair of the Bar. Everyone deserves a safe working environment, for everyone to feel part of the Bar and to belong. This is a once in a generation opportunity for the Bar to change its culture — and for all of us that change starts now.”. The logo of The Bar Council is displayed in the top left corner.

Change starts now.

In a new article for New Law Journal, Chair Barbara Mills KC discusses Baroness Harriet Harman KC's independent review into bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar and what's next.

Read more⤵️
https://www.newlawjournal.co.uk/content/change-starts-now

Dr. Francine Ryan, Director of The Open University’s Open Justice Centre predicts the legal profession will be transformed due to generative AI, but with the right approach and training she says it represents an opportunity.

Read her blog ➡️ https://bit.ly/4h3RFYf

@openuniversity.bsky.social

Can you spare a few hours next Saturday to support the next generation of barristers?

Join our Pupillage Fair in London on Saturday 18 October from 10am and offer your advice on aspiring barristers' CV and applications.

Find out more and sign up to volunteer: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...

Image for Black History Month 2025: Standing firm in power and pride. On a black background is intertwined red, green, and black ribbons of Black History Month. Before it is Dame Linda Dobbs DBE's headshot - her name is in text underneath. In the bottom righthand corner is the Bar Council logo.

Black background with white text. The red, green and yellow ribbons of Black History Month are in the top right corner. Text reads: 'Dame Linda Dobbs was the first Black person appointed as a High Court Judge in the UK. She served on the Queen’s Bench Division from 2004 to 2013. Her achievement marked a turning point in the judiciary and remains a beacon of inspiration. Beyond the Bench, she has trained judges and lawyers across world, particularly in Africa and the Caribbean. She has devoted herself to mentoring and creating opportunities, ensuring that others can follow the path she helped to carve. Black History Month 2025: Standing firm in power and pride.' The Bar Council logo is in the bottom right corner.

Today we're celebrating a beacon of inspiration Dame Linda Dobbs DBE. She was the first Black person appointed as a High Court Judge in the UK, an achievement which marked a turning point in the judiciary.

Watch her First 100 Years interview to hear about her life & career https://lnkd.in/dtQfdjPA

From Data to Climate Action: Mastering Your Carbon Footprint📅 Date: Thursday 9th October, 2025⏱️ Time: 12pm📍 Location: OnlineA chambers’ sustainability journey begins with its… | ... From Data to Climate Action: Mastering Your Carbon Footprint📅 Date: Thursday 9th October, 2025⏱️ Time: 12pm📍 Location: OnlineA chambers’ sustainability journey begins with its car...

Our Sustainability Network is hosting a webinar to help chambers find out more about their carbon footprint.

Join 'From Data to Climate Action: Mastering Your Carbon Footprint' on Thursday 9 October at 12pm.

Find out more and register below ⬇️

Trump's crackdown on lawyers shows ‘no place is immune', says US bar chief Michelle Behnke says lawyers from around the world have given support as ABA challenges ‘policy of intimidation'

The President of the American Bar Association (ABA), Michelle Behnke, has been interviewed by The Guardian. She was in London this week for the opening of the legal year and to take part in a discussion with Bar and Law Society leaders on the safety and protection of lawyers.
https://bit.ly/4nCqTsy

There'll also be a practical, interactive workshop led by experts, who'll dive into proven techniques and strategies designed to help you:

✅ Build lasting resilience
✅ Reclaim your work-life balance
✅ Embed habits that support long-term wellbeing

Book now: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...

Join us on Thursday 13 November for an energising evening hosted by Barbara Mills KC, dedicated to her personal priority: championing wellbeing across the profession.

She’ll kick things off with a reflection on the progress made so far and her vision of a more sustainable future at the Bar.

A black background with the red, green and yellow ribbons of Black History Month. White text across the top reads 'Black History Month 2025: Standing firm in power and pride'. In the middle is a head and shoulders profile photograph of Courtenay Griffiths KC - his name is in white text underneath the photo. The Bar Council logo is in the bottom right corner.

Black background with white text. The red, green and yellow ribbons of Black History Month are in the top right corner. Text reads: 'Courtenay Griffiths KC. A giant of the criminal Bar. Respected and revered all over the world for his brilliance in high profile cases. Courtenay Griffiths KC was dedicated to using his voice to advocate for the integrity of the justice system he served. He opened doors for aspiring barristers and colleagues. Tireless, generous and inspiring, he showed what it means to use power with purpose. Black History Month 2025: Standing firm in power and pride.' The Bar Council logo is in the bottom right corner.

For this year's Black History Month we're celebrating leading Black figures at the Bar under the theme ‘standing firm in power and pride’. Of course we have to start with the extraordinary Courtenay Griffiths KC who we sadly lost this year. A true giant. www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/sta...

We welcome an increase to Crown Court sitting days but more sitting days and long-term investment are needed to have 'significant impact' on the criminal court backlog.

Read our full statement ➡️ https://bit.ly/430WtaX

Help support the next generation of barristers by joining our CV and application clinic at this year’s Pupillage fair.

The event will take place near Liverpool Street, London, on Saturday 18 October from 10am to 3pm.

Sign up to volunteer: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...

Photo of Richard Atkinson, the President of the Law Society of England and Wales.

Richard Atkinson, President of the Law Society of England and Wales, closes our event today by highlighting our common purpose to promote access to justice and the rule of law. "International collaboration is essential … we all have a responsibility to act" when lawyers are threatened.

Photo of the meeting room and international guests at the Bar leaders' discussion today in London.

Chair of the Bar Barbara Mills KC opens the discussion for Bar associations and Law Society leaders to share their experiences, ideas and strategies.

Photo of the panel with the Law Association for Asia and the Pacific President Shyam Divan speaking to our event

The Law Association for Asia and the Pacific President Shyam Divan offered a "caution against complacency" to Bar and Law Society leaders today as he highlighted many examples of the attacks, intimidation and violence directed at lawyers in different countries.

Photo of the Law Society of Zimbabwe President Lison Ncube

The Law Society of Zimbabwe President Lison Ncube said threats to lawyers include arbitrary arrest, physical assaults & detention. The Law Society has been accused of being toxic & disloyal, but they continue to take a robust & proactive approach in challenging threats & supporting the profession.

The American Bar Association President Michelle A. Behnke speaking about the threats to lawyers

The American Bar Association President Michelle A. Behnke said the ABA has responded to threats by continuing to advocate & speak out on the rule of law, for an independent judiciary & independent legal profession. Adding: "Lawyers are not their clients or their client's clauses."

Picture of the panel speakers with Istanbul Bar Association President Professor Dr Ibrahim Kaboğlu speaking on screen.

Our first speaker today is the Istanbul Bar Association President Professor Dr Ibrahim Kaboğlu. In Türkiye, Bar associations are independent and the freedom of lawyers is essential. Dr Kaboğlu described the unprecedented attacks and pressures on lawyers and the Istanbul Bar Association.

Council of Europe treaty to protect lawyers As threats and attacks against lawyers continue to rise, a new international treaty offers a much-needed safeguard. Sarah Kavanagh reports on the landmark convention defending the independence of lawy...

At our #OLY discussion today, Chair of the Bar Barbara Mills KC said the new safety convention for lawyers has the potential for an "immense positive impact".
www.counselmagazine.co.uk/articles/cou...

Our first official event for the opening of the legal year has now started, Chair of the Bar Barbara Mills KC welcomed our international guests and panel speakers from America, Istanbul, Zimbabwe, Asian and the Pacific. The theme of our discussion this afternoon is the safety of lawyers.

Lawyers’ organisations from around the world are coming together in London today to discuss threats facing the legal profession. Read on: www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/nationa...

Due to high demand, this year's in person event is now sold out. But, you can still join us to have your questions answered, with our Life at the Bar webinar series, taking place from Monday 13 to Thursday 16 October.

Book your free ticket: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...

Great to be at party conference #2 - this time it’s Labour in Liverpool with Law Soc and @soclablaw.bsky.social. Our chair Barbara Mills KC is talking about the importance of considering family courts in tackling violence against women and girls

If you're a young barrister, make sure you're subscribed to our quarterly newsletter. It's full of news, updates, resources and support to help the young Bar.

Our next edition is out Tuesday. Subscribe today: www.barcouncil.org.uk/media-campai...

Promotional image featuring a laptop screen displaying a video for a legal aid billing seminar offered by The Bar Council. The screen also contains text "recordings available now"

This month, we hosted three of our popular legal aid billing seminars:
- Criminal legal aid
- Civil (family) legal aid
- Civil (non-family) legal aid

In case you missed them, or want to watch it back, all three recordings are available to watch on our website: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...

‘Maggots raining down’: survey lays bare dire state of courts in England and Wales | The Bar Council of England and Wales Commenting on the news today, the Chair of the Bar Barbara Mills KC said: "The Law Society's new report brings into sharp focus the dire and urgent need for additional funding and investment for our c...

Chair of the Bar Barbara Mills KC said: "The Law Society's new report brings into sharp focus the dire and urgent need for additional funding and investment for our court infrastructure. The Government should not allow our criminal and family courts to continue to deteriorate any further."

Event promotional graphic for "Making the Most of your Pupillage Gateway Application" hosted by The Bar Council. Features icons related to law, such as scales of justice, books, and laptops. Scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM, online.

Are you applying for pupillage? Do you need help navigating the application process? Join us in December to have your questions answered.

We aim to equip you with the tools to make the most of your application and maximise your chances of success.

Book now: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...

Promotional poster for a law reform essay competition organised by the Bar Council, featuring illustrations of legal symbols like scales of justice, laptops, and books. Includes the competition deadline date: Thursday 23 October.

If you have an interest in law reform, submit an essay making the case to reform English, Welsh or European law for your chance to win £4,000.

Our competition closes on Thursday 23 October.

Our website has all the competition rules and eligibility criteria: www.barcouncil.org.uk/becoming-a-b...

We're working with the 10,000 Black Interns Foundation, chambers and organisations, across England and Wales to provide 6 weeks of internship placements at the Bar for aspiring Black barristers.

Find out about the programme and how to apply via our website ➡️ https://bit.ly/46lEHS7

Tomorrow, we're launching this year's 10KBI scheme.

Find out more about the scheme from pupil barrister Corey Boothe, who took part in in 2021.

Read his blog ➡️ https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/from-internship-to-pupillage-my-journey-through-the-10kbi-scheme.html

At 16, Aimee Stokes dreamt of being a forensic pathologist but she soon realised she was better suited to advocacy rather than anatomy.

Read Aimee's blog for her journey to becoming a barrister and the advice has for students ➡️ https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/officially-a-barrister.html