NEWS and analysis

King’s speech sparks Bar Council fury over jury trial reform plans
The Bar Council has issued a strong warning over proposed justice reforms outlined following the King’s Speech

Supreme Court to hear barrister’s landmark claim against Stonewall and chambers
Supreme Court has agreed to hear a high-profile appeal brought by barrister Allison Bailey against Stonewall

Top chambers launch £30,000 Bar scholarships to tackle Black underrepresentation
11KBW and 39 Essex Chambers have joined forces to expand a scholarship programme designed to address

Barrister wins anonymity order as High Court scrutinises assault allegations
The High Court has granted anonymity to a barrister facing allegations of sexual assault and harassment

Senior KC faces unprecedented contempt case over jury speech at protest...
Rajiv Menon, a senior barrister at Garden Court Chambers and former head of chambers, is facing contempt

Bar Standards Board appoints two new independent reviewers
BSB has appointed Helena Suffield-Thompson and Suzi Denton as new Independent Reviewers

Criminal Bar fury as £34m legal aid pledge remains undelivered after...
The Bar Council and the Criminal Bar Association have urged the government to deliver a promised

BSB launches expert reference group on RASSO case standards
BSB has established a cross-sector expert reference group to advise on strengthening standards for barristers

BSB appoints Blake Morgan LLP for enforcement investigations
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has appointed Blake Morgan LLP to support its regulatory

BSB launches second consultation to overhaul barristers’ enforcement system
Bar Standards Board (BSB) has launched a second consultation on reforms to its enforcement process

Bar Council defends legal claim over 10,000 Black Interns programme
The Bar Council of England and Wales has confirmed it is defending a legal claim brought under the Equality Act

Kent Crown Court backlog doubles as delays stretch beyond two years
Open cases at Kent’s Crown Courts have more than doubled over the past decade, according to new

Claire Davies KC elected Vice Chair of Bar Council for 2027
Claire Davies KC, a senior criminal barrister and the current Leader of the South Eastern Circuit, has been elected

Bar Council urges MPs to revive specialist rape court proposal in...
The Bar Council has criticised the government after proposals to introduce specialist rape courts were rejected during committee