The Bar Council
@thebarcouncil.bsky.social
Representing and supporting the 18,000 practising barristers in England and Wales.
www.barcouncil.org.uk
www.barcouncil.org.uk
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Please write to your local MP to voice your concern on the government's plan to restrict jury trials.
Our updated template letter now includes the latest data from the Institute for Government and our response to Part 2 of Sir Brian Leveson’s report.
Download the letter: https://bit.ly/4bKjRPs
Our updated template letter now includes the latest data from the Institute for Government and our response to Part 2 of Sir Brian Leveson’s report.
Download the letter: https://bit.ly/4bKjRPs
Today Chair of the Bar Council, Kirsty Brimelow KC, met with Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, David Lammy MP, and Justice Minister Sarah Sackman MP.
They discussed the justice system, criminal court reform proposals and the workforce.
@kirstybrimelow.bsky.social
They discussed the justice system, criminal court reform proposals and the workforce.
@kirstybrimelow.bsky.social
February 11, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Today Chair of the Bar Council, Kirsty Brimelow KC, met with Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, David Lammy MP, and Justice Minister Sarah Sackman MP.
They discussed the justice system, criminal court reform proposals and the workforce.
@kirstybrimelow.bsky.social
They discussed the justice system, criminal court reform proposals and the workforce.
@kirstybrimelow.bsky.social
Please write to your local MP to voice your concern on the government's plan to restrict jury trials.
Our updated template letter now includes the latest data from the Institute for Government and our response to Part 2 of Sir Brian Leveson’s report.
Download the letter: https://bit.ly/4bKjRPs
Our updated template letter now includes the latest data from the Institute for Government and our response to Part 2 of Sir Brian Leveson’s report.
Download the letter: https://bit.ly/4bKjRPs
February 9, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Please write to your local MP to voice your concern on the government's plan to restrict jury trials.
Our updated template letter now includes the latest data from the Institute for Government and our response to Part 2 of Sir Brian Leveson’s report.
Download the letter: https://bit.ly/4bKjRPs
Our updated template letter now includes the latest data from the Institute for Government and our response to Part 2 of Sir Brian Leveson’s report.
Download the letter: https://bit.ly/4bKjRPs
Talk to Spot is a secure online tool to support anyone working at and around the Bar to confidentially raise concerns about inappropriate or abusive behaviours.
Find out more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4prP7qk
Find out more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4prP7qk
February 8, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Talk to Spot is a secure online tool to support anyone working at and around the Bar to confidentially raise concerns about inappropriate or abusive behaviours.
Find out more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4prP7qk
Find out more ➡️ https://bit.ly/4prP7qk
And that's a wrap for today's #BarCouncil meeting. Thank you for following along.
February 7, 2026 at 11:56 AM
And that's a wrap for today's #BarCouncil meeting. Thank you for following along.
Under AOB, Chair @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social leads a note of thanks from #BarCouncil to Malcolm Cree CBE as this is his final Council meeting ahead of retirement in March. KBKC recognises his service to the Bar: "It's been a delight to work alongside him: wise, firm, always with a sense of humour."
February 7, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Under AOB, Chair @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social leads a note of thanks from #BarCouncil to Malcolm Cree CBE as this is his final Council meeting ahead of retirement in March. KBKC recognises his service to the Bar: "It's been a delight to work alongside him: wise, firm, always with a sense of humour."
MF highlights the cttee's focus on climate, inc guidance on solar panels and upcoming guidance on ethics. Chair KBKC @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social - attended an event highlighting risk caused by climate change and the potential role of lawyers in this area, esp in commercial #BarCouncil
February 7, 2026 at 11:53 AM
MF highlights the cttee's focus on climate, inc guidance on solar panels and upcoming guidance on ethics. Chair KBKC @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social - attended an event highlighting risk caused by climate change and the potential role of lawyers in this area, esp in commercial #BarCouncil
Our 3rd cttee report to #BarCouncil is Marina Faggionato, co-chair of Pro Bono and Social Responsibility Cttee. Reminder of the deadline for the Pro Bono Recognition List is 6 March: www.probonorecognitionlist.org.uk
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www.probonorecognitionlist.org.uk
February 7, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Our 3rd cttee report to #BarCouncil is Marina Faggionato, co-chair of Pro Bono and Social Responsibility Cttee. Reminder of the deadline for the Pro Bono Recognition List is 6 March: www.probonorecognitionlist.org.uk
Next up: Simon Regis CBE, Chair of Employed Barristers' Cttee (EBC) presents his report to #BarCouncil Working on bullying & harassment, judicial appnts opportunities, KCA working group, and creating employed Bar communities - at home and internationally.
February 7, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Next up: Simon Regis CBE, Chair of Employed Barristers' Cttee (EBC) presents his report to #BarCouncil Working on bullying & harassment, judicial appnts opportunities, KCA working group, and creating employed Bar communities - at home and internationally.
#BarCouncil notes that the contingency payments for the legally aided family/civil Bar may also impact declarations for practising certificate fees. Chair @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social says Bar Council will keep a close eye on these issues and invites people to share specific cases of concern.
February 7, 2026 at 11:46 AM
#BarCouncil notes that the contingency payments for the legally aided family/civil Bar may also impact declarations for practising certificate fees. Chair @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social says Bar Council will keep a close eye on these issues and invites people to share specific cases of concern.
Guidance from HMRC on treatment of VAT was due in January but not been published. The Justice Select Cttee has raised the issue directly with MoJ ministers. Indiv barristers may need to speak to own accountants. James Roberts KC (FLBA) notes potential impact on Bar Mutual insurance #BarCouncil
February 7, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Guidance from HMRC on treatment of VAT was due in January but not been published. The Justice Select Cttee has raised the issue directly with MoJ ministers. Indiv barristers may need to speak to own accountants. James Roberts KC (FLBA) notes potential impact on Bar Mutual insurance #BarCouncil
Samantha Hillas KC (Northern Circuit) asks about compensation from the LAA due to the impact of the cyber attack. MHKC explains that it has been raised with the LAA in general, but would welcome any concrete examples of loss that we can share with the LAA. #BarCouncil
February 7, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Samantha Hillas KC (Northern Circuit) asks about compensation from the LAA due to the impact of the cyber attack. MHKC explains that it has been raised with the LAA in general, but would welcome any concrete examples of loss that we can share with the LAA. #BarCouncil
MHKC also reports that there has been a change to standard contractual terms in relation to liability - more information will be shared with the Bar once the BSB updates the Handbook. #BarCouncil
February 7, 2026 at 11:37 AM
MHKC also reports that there has been a change to standard contractual terms in relation to liability - more information will be shared with the Bar once the BSB updates the Handbook. #BarCouncil
On the LAA data breach - this month recoupment on contingency payments will start. Working on guidance to clerks - there's no one size fits all guidance. Barristers can contact LAA with concerns around hardship. Still waiting for HMRC guidance on VAT in relation to the payments. #BarCouncil
February 7, 2026 at 11:35 AM
On the LAA data breach - this month recoupment on contingency payments will start. Working on guidance to clerks - there's no one size fits all guidance. Barristers can contact LAA with concerns around hardship. Still waiting for HMRC guidance on VAT in relation to the payments. #BarCouncil
RemCom also working on family legal aid with @familylawbar.flba.co.uk - a mtg with MoJ took place in Nov. FLBA has written to judges about fees issues. In December #BarCouncil & FLBA published a powerful report on family legal aid: www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/man...
Many would leave family legal aid ‘in a heartbeat’ – new Bar Council report
Researchers spoke to 100 family barristers and found that many want to leave publicly funded family work as fees are worth about half their 1996 value.
www.barcouncil.org.uk
February 7, 2026 at 11:33 AM
RemCom also working on family legal aid with @familylawbar.flba.co.uk - a mtg with MoJ took place in Nov. FLBA has written to judges about fees issues. In December #BarCouncil & FLBA published a powerful report on family legal aid: www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/man...
Next up: reports from Remuneration Cttee, Employed Barristers' Cttee & Pro Bono and Social Resp Cttee. First up Mike Horne KC updates from RemCom on criminal legal aid - working with MoJ on the 'up to £34m' funding allocation. Cont to work on prosecution fees. #BarCouncil
February 7, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Next up: reports from Remuneration Cttee, Employed Barristers' Cttee & Pro Bono and Social Resp Cttee. First up Mike Horne KC updates from RemCom on criminal legal aid - working with MoJ on the 'up to £34m' funding allocation. Cont to work on prosecution fees. #BarCouncil
Huge thanks to @cassiarowland.bsky.social from #BarCouncil members for such an authoritative exploration of the data & research. Chair @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social says we share the same aims as govt in bringing down the backlog but the answers are investment & efficiencies, not reducing juries
February 7, 2026 at 11:28 AM
Huge thanks to @cassiarowland.bsky.social from #BarCouncil members for such an authoritative exploration of the data & research. Chair @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social says we share the same aims as govt in bringing down the backlog but the answers are investment & efficiencies, not reducing juries
The IfG research shows comparisons with 2016 - Chair @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social asks about the adjustment for complexity. @cassiarowland.bsky.social explains that digital evidence does make a difference in terms of time for case prep but not court time (aside from tech issues) #BarCouncil
February 7, 2026 at 11:23 AM
The IfG research shows comparisons with 2016 - Chair @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social asks about the adjustment for complexity. @cassiarowland.bsky.social explains that digital evidence does make a difference in terms of time for case prep but not court time (aside from tech issues) #BarCouncil
#BarCouncil member Andrew Brooke asks about drivers of productivity gap. @cassiarowland.bsky.social highlights the increase in proportion of trials rescheduled on the day - causes inc unavailability of legal reps, evidence not ready, over-listing. This graph shows the impact of over-listing.
February 7, 2026 at 11:19 AM
#BarCouncil member Andrew Brooke asks about drivers of productivity gap. @cassiarowland.bsky.social highlights the increase in proportion of trials rescheduled on the day - causes inc unavailability of legal reps, evidence not ready, over-listing. This graph shows the impact of over-listing.
On costs, CR @cassiarowland.bsky.social says we need to think about retention and recruitment into the criminal legal workforce as there are long-term cost implications if you don't do that #BarCouncil
February 7, 2026 at 11:14 AM
On costs, CR @cassiarowland.bsky.social says we need to think about retention and recruitment into the criminal legal workforce as there are long-term cost implications if you don't do that #BarCouncil
Andrew Thomas KC @thecriminalbar.bsky.social thanks @cassiarowland.bsky.social for the impact her research has had on the public debate around jury proposals. He asks if costs are a motivation and notes in Leveson's 2nd report cost per disposal is a metric the govt is interested in. #BarCouncil
February 7, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Andrew Thomas KC @thecriminalbar.bsky.social thanks @cassiarowland.bsky.social for the impact her research has had on the public debate around jury proposals. He asks if costs are a motivation and notes in Leveson's 2nd report cost per disposal is a metric the govt is interested in. #BarCouncil
CR @cassiarowland.bsky.social also explains that although demand in the Crown Court has gone up it is not at a record high. #BarCouncil
February 7, 2026 at 11:08 AM
CR @cassiarowland.bsky.social also explains that although demand in the Crown Court has gone up it is not at a record high. #BarCouncil
The @instituteforgovernment.org.uk finds a large 'productivity gap' has opened up in the Crown Courts. CR @cassiarowland.bsky.social highlights risks of govt proposals - slow to deliver, may distract from efforts to improve efficiency & potential to move the problem elsewhere #BarCouncil
February 7, 2026 at 11:02 AM
The @instituteforgovernment.org.uk finds a large 'productivity gap' has opened up in the Crown Courts. CR @cassiarowland.bsky.social highlights risks of govt proposals - slow to deliver, may distract from efforts to improve efficiency & potential to move the problem elsewhere #BarCouncil
CR @cassiarowland.bsky.social explains that in total the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk estimates that the govt's reforms will save 10-15,000 sitting days. Judge-only trials accounting for 2-2,500 of those - 1.5-2.5% of time. Even on an optimistic scenario, reforms only save up to 10%. #BarCouncil
February 7, 2026 at 10:56 AM
CR @cassiarowland.bsky.social explains that in total the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk estimates that the govt's reforms will save 10-15,000 sitting days. Judge-only trials accounting for 2-2,500 of those - 1.5-2.5% of time. Even on an optimistic scenario, reforms only save up to 10%. #BarCouncil
CR @cassiarowland.bsky.social explains that most Crown Court demand is out of scope for the govt's proposals on reducing jury trials. She explains that a lot of court time is spent on other types of cases. #BarCouncil
February 7, 2026 at 10:52 AM
CR @cassiarowland.bsky.social explains that most Crown Court demand is out of scope for the govt's proposals on reducing jury trials. She explains that a lot of court time is spent on other types of cases. #BarCouncil
The @instituteforgovernment.org.uk research took govt's proposals to reduce jury trials/move cases out of the Crown Court from mags' courts then looked at the likely impact IF the govt's estimates are right. Couldn't factor in changes to defendant behaviour or guilty plea cases #BarCouncil
February 7, 2026 at 10:48 AM
The @instituteforgovernment.org.uk research took govt's proposals to reduce jury trials/move cases out of the Crown Court from mags' courts then looked at the likely impact IF the govt's estimates are right. Couldn't factor in changes to defendant behaviour or guilty plea cases #BarCouncil