The Bar Council

Integrity. Excellence. Justice.

About us

Spotlight on

World Bar Conference

Advocacy, past, present and future - constant values for a modern Bar
29 June - 1 July 2012
London
- Conferences, training and other events
- Introduction to Member Services
Public Access

Members of the public, professionals and companies may instruct a barrister directly which can prove to be more cost effective than using a solicitor. We also train barristers on how to accept Public Access work.
- Public Access
- Member Services training courses
Unlocking Disputes

London is the venue of choice for unlocking disputes. It provides a major concentration of specialist expertise from lawyers, arbitrators, experts and other support services, all with international links.
Pro bono work in the community

Many barristers represent society's most vulnerable pro bono (for no charge) enabling the disadvantaged access to justice even if they are unable to pay or receive Legal Aid.
The Bar Council actively supports the Bar Pro Bono Unit and the Free Representation Unit.
Authorisation to Practice

The Bar Council and Bar Standards Board are adopting a more structured approach to barristers' registration, known as 'Authorisation to Practice'. As part of this process, the Barrister Connect website is now live.
- Authorisation to Practice

News and updates

Twitter

5 March

(6 minutes ago)

Good to see that L Pannick's amendment on access to justice (Clause 1 of #LASPO) was passed - Bar Council has been pursuing this since day 1

@thebarcouncil

News

2 March

(3 days ago)

Access Denied: Bar Council Welcomes LASPO Concessions as Report Calls for Further Reform

As Peers prepare for the start of the Report Stage of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill next Monday, the Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has welcomed the limited concessions announced today, whilst calling on the Government to take heed of the overwhelming evidence and weight of opinion against many of its reforms.

Latest guidance

2 March

(3 days ago)

Public Access Guidance

View all news View all updates

Events

World Bar Conference 2012

29 June - 1 July, 09:00 - 18:00

Inner Temple and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer London, UK

View all events

Member benefits

The Bar Council provides a range of services to members of the Bar including over 500* exclusive Benefits and Services available to those who pay the Members' Services Fee (MSF).

Current campaigns

Member Services Xexec benefits portal

Conferences, training and other events

Training courses for barristers

Bar Standards Board

The General Council of the Bar is the Approved Regulator of the Bar of England and Wales. It discharges its regulatory functions through the independent Bar Standards Board.