NEWS and analysis

Bar standards board unveils four key appointments to oversight board
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has announced the appointment of four new Board members, including

Youth justice system must prioritise rehabilitation over criminalisation
The Bar Council has backed the Government’s new Youth Justice White Paper while calling for

Bar Standards Board unveils AI guidance following legal tech warnings
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has issued new guidance aimed at helping barristers safely and responsibly use

Bar Council backs barrister after Court of Appeal contempt ruling
Bar Council said Menon had won an appeal on an “important point of lack of jurisdiction”

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