Bar Council

The Bar Council is the professional body for barristers in England and Wales and provides representation and services for the Bar, and Guidance on issues of professional practice. Regulatory issues relating to the Bar are now dealt with by The Bar Standards Board.

Founded in 1894 to represent the interests of barristers, its role is to promote and improve the services and functions of the Bar, and to represent the interests of the Bar on all matters relating to the profession, whether trade union, disciplinary, public interest or in any way affecting the administration of justice. The Bar Council states that its principal objectives are:

• to represent the Bar as a modern and forward looking profession which seeks to maintain and improve the quality and standard of service to all clients;
• to maintain and enhance professional standards;
• to maintain effective complaints and disciplinary procedures;
• to develop an effective, fair and affordable system for recruiting, and of regulating entry to the profession;
• to regulate education and training for the profession;
• to combat discrimination and disadvantage at the Bar;
• to develop and promote the work of the Bar;
• to conduct research and promote the Bar?s views on matters affecting the administration of justice, including substantive law reform;
• to provide services for members of the Bar, eg Fees Collection, publications, conferences, guidance on practice management and development; and
• to promote the Bar?s interests with Government, the EC, the Law Society, International Bars and other organisations with common interests