NEWS and analysis

Bar Council Confirms 10,000 Black Interns Programme Will Proceed

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
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Kent Crown Court Backlog Doubles Amid Delays

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
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Claire Davies KC Named Vice Chair of Bar Council for 2027

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
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Government Rejects Specialist Rape Court Proposal in Bill Debate

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
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BSB Advances Horizon Scandal Investigations Into Barristers

BSB confirms ongoing misconduct investigations linked to Horizon scandal

The Bar Standards Board has confirmed that it is progressing multiple investigations linked to
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42BR Expands as 34 Barristers Join from 4 Brick Court

42BR Barristers expands family law team with 4 Brick Court transfer

42BR Barristers has confirmed that practitioners from4 Brick Court will join its family law group in summer
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BSB Appoints Jacqui Adams as New IDB Vice-Chair

BSB report shows rising diversity but continued gaps in senior representation

The Bar Standards Board has published its latest Annual Diversity at the Bar report, highlighting
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Bar Council Says AI Use in Law Covered by Existing Standards

Bar Council backs AI use but warns witness statements must stay...

The Bar Council has stated that existing professional standards are sufficient to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in legal
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Harrow Crown Court Reopens as Barristers Urge Focus on Backlogs

Harrow Crown Court reopens amid clash over jury trial reforms

Barristers have welcomed the reopening of Harrow Crown Court, describing it as a practical step
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Founder of Starmer’s chambers warns on jury trial reforms

Founder of Starmer’s chambers calls jury-trial curbs ‘worse than the disease’

The founder of Doughty Street Chambers, where Keir Starmer previously practised as a barrister
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Kirsty Brimelow KC outlines her 2026 priorities: jury trials, legal aid, and children’s justice

Juries, legal aid, and children’s justice at Forefront for new Bar...

Kirsty Brimelow KC sets her priorities for 2026, focusing on protecting jury trials, securing legal aid
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Bar Standards Board Seeks New Board Members Amid Legal Reform

Bar Standards Board seeks new members amid crucial Reform Programme

Board members will play a vital role in shaping the future of the legal profession as it faces rapid changes
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Magistrates’ Court Backlog Hits Record as Bar Council Warns of Risks

Magistrates’ courts ‘high risk’ as backlog soars to record 379,437 cases

The bar council has warned that government proposals to shift more cases into magistrates’ courts
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Barrister Jonathan Lee Black-Branch Disbarred Over Misconduct Findings

UK barrister disbarred after tribunal finds serious misconduct linked to Canada

An independent disciplinary tribunal has ordered the disbarment of barrister Jonathan Lee Black-Branch
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