Chair of the Young Bar’s New Year message

In a critical year for the Young Bar, Michael Polak, the Chair of the Young Barristers’ Committee, sets out his key pledges for 2022.

Pupillage opportunities increase as the Gateway closes

The Bar Council is pleased to report that, based on initial evidence from the Pupillage Gateway, the pandemic gap in pupillage numbers is closing. The Gateway closed on 9 February 2022 and, for the first time since its launch in 2013, the number of AETOs using the system to facilitate their recruitment processes exceeded 100.

Improving inclusion and diversity at the Bar has been a long-standing strategy of the Bar Council. Transparent, inclusive, and progressive application processes are key to attracting those from diverse backgrounds to the profession. The Pupillage Gateway facilitates this transparency, and it is encouraging to see the number of AETOs using the system increase by over 20% (to 122).

This year, the Bar Council has processed 20,688 applications from 2,797 candidates through the Pupillage Gateway. Between 25 November 2021 and 9 February 2022, we advertised 499 pupillages across 202 AETOs (compared to 404 across 176 in 2021), 309 of which were from Gateway sets. These initial figures suggest that this year’s cohort of applicants has improved chances of securing pupillage, and we will be publishing a full report this summer.

Wellbeing at the Bar - support available 24/7

Are you feeling stressed or overwhelmed? The pressures of life at the Bar can be challenging no matter whether you are a barrister, clerk or practice manager. If you are looking for support, there is an Assistance Programme that can provide confidential help. The support is available to all self-employed barristers with a practising certificate as well as members of the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks (IBC) and the Legal Practice Managers’ Association (LPMA). Kindly funded by the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund (BMIF), the service is available 24/7 and provides free counselling calls and sessions.

Bar Placement Week 2022

The Bar Council is looking for chambers willing to host students in Bar Placement Week. The shadowing scheme will run from Monday, 4 July - Thursday, 7 July, with advocacy training on Friday, 8 July. If your chambers is able to host two or more students, please contact . 

Please include the following information:

• How many students you would like to host;
• Your primary area of practice for the students;
• Whether you require students to be aged over 18, and
• If you are based in more than one location, where you would like to offer placements.

The Bar Placement Scheme, organised by the Bar Council, is now in its 14th year. It allows students from widening-participation backgrounds to experience life at the Bar by shadowing barristers.

New online demographics data dashboard for the Bar

The Bar Council is pleased to announce the launch of a new interactive tool which gives a breakdown of the Bar by gender, ethnicity, practice area, location and more.

The demographics dashboard, available on the Bar Council website, uses information collected from all practising barristers in England and Wales.

I Am The Future Of The Bar

Aspiring barristers share their stories and career aims in a new series unveiled this week by the Bar Council and Bridging The Bar.

‘I Am The Future Of The Bar’, the latest spin-off from the ‘I Am The Bar’ campaign, highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in the profession.

Access to Justice grants

The Access to Justice Foundation has launched its Spring Grants Round to support the provision of local and regional pro bono throughout the UK. Grants are likely to be awarded within the range of £15,000-£30,000. To be eligible to apply, your organisation must be a registered charity and provide local and/or regional pro bono services.

The deadline for applications is 17:00 on Monday 7 March 2022.

Support pro bono, support Advocate

“I donate to Advocate because it helps barristers provide vital pro bono services to people otherwise unable to enforce their rights,” says Mark Fenhalls QC, Chair of the Bar Council

Please support access to justice through Advocate, the Bar’s pro bono charity. The last page of the practising certificate renewal form contains the important opportunity to donate to Advocate. Donations provide a lifeline for many vulnerable applicants who desperately need help and cannot access legal services.

Judicial independence – parliamentary consultation

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Democracy and the Constitution is conducting an inquiry into judicial independence. The consultation states: "We believe that all citizens are entitled to a say in constitutional issues, and we welcome all contributions."

The deadline for responses is 16:00 on 3 March 2022.

Guest Blog: World Book Day

Ahead of this year’s World Book Day on Thursday 3 March, Barnaby Jameson QC talks about his debut novel Codename: Madeleine and how it is sometimes hard to keep fact and fiction apart.

New data shows 1 in 3 barristers have low overall wellbeing

In her latest blog, Rebecca Dix, Chair of the Wellbeing at the Bar Working Group, highlights the new data available showing the mental health of the Bar is low on the happiness thermometer, but the good news is that 2 in 3 barristers get support from their colleagues and workplace.

Inns of Court Alliance for Women Event: Foundations for a Fairer Future

9 March, Middle Temple Hall and online

International Rule of Law Lecture 2022

9 March, online

Social Mobility and the Employed Bar - “The Many Roads to Pupillage”

30 March, online

Webinar in conjunction with BACFI

District Judge (Magistrates' Court)

Bar Council vacancy - Legal Services Committee

Deadline: 4pm on 1 March 2022

Bar Council vacancy - Elected employed Junior over 7 years in practice / QC

Deadline: 4 pm on 3 March 2022

Bar Council vacancy - Education and Training Committee

Deadline: 4 pm on 11 March 2022

Government Legal Department- Bar Council Representatives to assist in the Attorney General's London Panel Selection Boards (three positions)

Deadline: 4 pm on 14 March 2022