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Barbara Mills KC elected as Bar Council Vice Chair for 2024
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 We are delighted to announce that Barbara Mills KC has been elected as the Vice Chair of the Bar Council for 2024. Barbara is the first specialist family practitioner in 35 years to take up the role and the first Black person and first person of colour to assume the office. Barbara is currently the joint head of chambers at 4PB, sits as a Deputy High Court Judge and has been a Recorder on the South Eastern Circuit for over ten years.
Upon her election, Barbara said: “When Baroness Hallett became the first woman to chair the Bar Council in 1998, I was inspired and uplifted, but it seemed like a hopeless dream for me. So, I am deeply honoured and humbled to have been elected as the next Vice Chair.”
Barbara will be working alongside Sam Townend KC, who was elected unopposed as Chair of the Bar for 2024, and Lorinda Long, who was re-elected as Treasurer.
Read our press release
Read Barbara’s interview with the Guardian about Race at the Bar
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Why 'lawyers as gatekeepers' is a dangerous mantra
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In this blog, Chair of the Bar Nick Vineall KC explores the ideas emerging from the International Bar Association (IBA) on the concept of “lawyers as gatekeepers” and joins the European Bars in opposing the direction of travel. Nick offers four reasons why the IBA should rethink its entire gatekeeper project: the terminology itself; the range of work done by the Bar; the difficulty in creating guidance that can cover so many different countries with different regulatory regimes; and – critically – that requiring lawyers to consider “the public interest” is problematic when it is unclear who decides what is in the public interest.
Read Nick’s blog
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Swearing in of Alex Chalk KC MP
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The Bar Council’s Vice Chair Sam Townend KC delivered a speech on behalf of the Bar at the swearing in of Alex Chalk KC MP as the new Lord Chancellor. He said:
“The Lord Chancellor is the chief custodian of our system of law and justice... Given the significant backlogs in an underfunded justice system, an overstretched publicly funded Bar, and the creaking and, in parts, decrepit, Court estate, it is hard to think of a more difficult time to take office as Lord Chancellor. The dedication, vigour and energy that you, my Lord Chancellor, have displayed in your career to date is sorely needed in your new role.”
Read Sam’s speech
Read Alex Chalk KC MP’s speech
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Slow steps of progress on widening access to legal aid
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Last week the Government published its response to the legal aid means test review, following a consultation in 2022. We have welcomed the expansion of legal aid eligibility but remain concerned at the slow pace of change in the face of high inflation, meaning many people are still unable to access justice.
The Bar Council is calling on the Government to implement future increases in line with inflation and we are asking the Ministry of Justice to look again at the issue of the ‘innocence tax’ as the measures announced will miss out those who pay privately for their defence.
Read our statement
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Four Bars restate commitment to cab rank rule
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Following a recent meeting of the Four Bars in Dublin and in advance of the forthcoming Four Jurisdictions Conference in Belfast in June, the leadership of the Four Bars issued a joint statement on the cab rank rule.
The independent referral bars of England and Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland collectively re-affirm our commitment to the cab rank rule. It:
- Promotes access to justice
- Recognises that it is for judges and juries to decide and to judge, and that passing judgment is not the role of advocates
- Imposes an obligation on the independent referral bar to accept work even from those with whom we profoundly disagree, and of whom we profoundly disapprove
- Means that our role and duty as advocates is, and is only, to advise, and then to represent, always subject to our duties to the court.
Read and share the joint statement
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Justice Week 2023 runs from 19 to 23 June. It is a collaboration between the Bar Council, the Law Society and CILEX to improve access to justice for the public by building public support and understanding for the rule of law and justice; increasing public understanding of the role of Government in the justice system; and identifying and securing support for actions that could improve justice.
It's an opportunity to engage the public in justice issues through events, open days, visits, and the media. The Bar Council will be hosting and sharing a series of guest blogs on different access to justice issues.
This year we also want to hear what justice means to you. Please share your photos and ideas using the hashtag #JusticeWeek2023
Read more about Justice Week
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Cyber risk management: 6 reasons why your chambers needs independent assurance
Cyber breaches are not acts of God. They are preventable, provided you have taken the right steps to protect your practice from attack. The central theme of this article is that the only way to prove to yourself and your senior leadership team that you have put the right defences in place, is to obtain independent assurance.
Read the full article on independent assurance.
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 FreeBar resources
June is Pride Month and a good time to find out more about FreeBar - a network of LGBT+ people and allies who work at and with the Bar. They are working towards a Bar that is an inclusive and supportive place to be, by connecting people and sharing best practice. FreeBar has developed a top tips guide of best practice in supporting, including and, attracting LGBT+ staff and members. You may want to consider implementing some of the suggestions to create a more inclusive work environment.
Find out more about FreeBar and the resources on offer
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The Bar Council’s Ethical Enquiries Service
The Bar Council provides a confidential Ethical Enquiries Service to assist barristers (and, where appropriate, their clerks and other staff connected with barristers' professional practices) to identify, interpret and comply with their professional obligations under the BSB Handbook. Where possible, the Bar Council encourages members of the Bar to talk ethical issues through with peers and senior practitioners before using the service, and this service does not give legal advice. The service includes a working hours weekday phone line, email support and an Ethics and Practice Hub, an online library of ethics documentation for barristers.
Find out more information
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The Bar Council’s Talk to Spot
Talk to Spot is the Bar Council’s confidential, anonymous online reporting tool for barristers to flag examples of inappropriate behaviour at work including discrimination, bullying or harassment. Spot can be used if something happens to you or if you witness an incident.
Find out more information
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Common Platform help and support
HMCTS has launched a new helpdesk phone number to contact if you are having problems signing into Common Platform, or if you experience technical issues.
The new phone number for the helpdesk is 020 3989 6060
You can also email:
If you need help accessing case details, you can call 0330 808 4407 or email the service centre:
Read the HMCTS list of participating criminal courts go live dates
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Recorder Application Seminar
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary event
Thursday 8 June
17:00 – 18:00
Online
An online seminar will take place on Thursday 8 June from 17:00 to 18:00 for those who are interested in applying to be a fee-paid Recorder. Seven years’ legal post-qualification experience is needed to apply and previous judicial experience is not essential.
Find out more information
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The Employed Bar Garden Party
BACFI, Middle Temple and Bar Council event
Tuesday 13 June
18:00 - 20:30
In person, Middle Temple
Members and students from all four Inns of Court, guests and non-members from the legal profession are all welcome to attend the Employed Bar Garden Party this month.
Find out more information
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Bar Sustainability Summit
Bar Council conference
Friday 16 June
9:45 - 14:15
In person, London
The Bar Sustainability Summit is fast approaching but there is still time to book your place. This free half-day summit will support chambers, and other Bar-based organisations, in developing and implementing effective carbon reduction programmes. Booking is open to Bar Sustainability Network members.
Book your place
Join the Bar Sustainability Network
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Social Mobility Summit
Bar Council conference
Friday 14 July
9:30 - 14.00
In person, London
On Friday 14 July, the Bar Council will be hosting a practical half-day summit that will support chambers, and other Bar-based organisations, to deliver effective interventions on social mobility.
Book your place
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Tackling harassment, bullying and inappropriate behaviours
Bar Council training
Wednesday 5 July
17:00 - 19:00
Online
This training session is designed to raise awareness of harassment, bullying and inappropriate behaviour through a series of practical case studies drawn from experience across the profession. It also includes a summary of legal and regulatory duties relating to sexual harassment.
Book your place
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Legal walks across the country
The Access to Justice Foundation coordinates a series of legal walks around the country every year. They are an opportunity for the legal community to come together and raise money for the local advice sector. The 2023 walks take place from May to October across England and Wales (and beyond). Take a look at the listing to find your nearest walk and if you would like to help to organise a walk then please email:
Find your local walk
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Money Laundering and Sanctions Working Group
The Bar Council is seeking new members to join the Money Laundering and Sanctions Working Group (‘MLSWG’) to assist with its work on behalf of the Bar. Expressions of interest are invited from practising barristers, particularly those working in the areas of property, planning and tax law and/or those whose work falls within the Money Laundering Regulations 2017.
Applicants should send a copy of their CV accompanied by a short written statement of no more than 200 words setting out their suitability for the role and describing their relevant skills and experience to the Bar Council’s Policy Manager, Regulatory Issues and Ethics, Caitlin Lamboo via email:
The deadline is 10:00 on Friday 30 June.
Find out more information
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