In today's The Times and The Sunday Times Chair of the Bar Sam Townend KC sets out a plan for fixing the criminal justice system, ahead of the Spending Review: ⚖️ match funding for more pupillages ⚖️ changes to the workload on barristers ⚖️ increases in legal aid fees & a commitment to future

Prevention is better than a cure. More than £11bn in savings could be made by the Treasury over the next decade if the government were to invest in legal aid, according to a report on the value of free legal advice. Read more about the findings of ours and the

We will be responding in detail to the Bar Standards Board consultation on equality rules. Commenting on the launch, our Chair Sam Townend KC said: "Providing an effective regulatory framework on EDI is essential, and any regulations must be evidence-based & provide clarity to

Public funding for justice is down by 22.4% in real per person terms since 2009/10, according to our new analysis of spending under the last government. Chair Sam Townend KC said: "When justice is short changed, every citizen seeking to vindicate their rights is short changed."

Bar leaders from The Bar Council in latest attack on justice austerity. thetimes.com/uk/law/article…

The Times reports that Crown Court sitting days are being capped at 105,000. Chair of the Bar Sam Townend KC says: "The short notice implementation of cuts in sitting days is causing real concern in courts up and down the country..." Read our statement: barcouncil.org.uk/resource/cutti…

Want insights on how to safeguard the rule of law worldwide? Want to know more about the evolving complexities in international criminal law? Then join us on Tuesday 26 November for an inspirational lecture by Her Excellency Dr Fatou Bensouda. Book now: barcouncil.org.uk/training-event…

Looking forward to attending the launch of our new report tomorrow & hearing the impressive panel discuss how our CPS members can be supported to increase prosecutions for Rape & Serious Sexual Offences. Book your place -tickettailor.com/events/inflect…

"Justice should be seen and treated as a vital public service and one where the government can spend to save," writes our Chair Sam Townend KC. 📰 In this month's Counsel Magazine column, Sam discusses how we will be pressing for investment in justice at party conferences, the

Talk to Spot is our online reporting tool to support anyone working at/around the Bar to confidentially & anonymously raise concerns abt inappropriate and abusive behaviours. You can also access support to make formal reports to chambers/BSB/police: barcouncil.org.uk/support-for-ba…

🌱Our Bar Sustainability Network, made up of chambers staff reps and barristers, is meeting today to explore carbon measurement and how to set targets. Follow along for insights from the workshops on moving from measurements to targets, emissions and offsetting, and creating

🎉Our Young Barristers' Committee (YBC) is this year celebrating 70 years of representing and supporting the Young Bar. Follow the link below to hear from past and present Chairs about what the YBC has achieved over the past seven decades and what the future holds...

The Prime Minister’s commitment to 'swift justice' and the missions on public safety & economic growth can only be realised if it commits more resources to the justice system - read the Bar Council's submission to the Spending Review: barcouncil.org.uk/resource/swift…

Responding to a report that crown court sitting days were to be capped this year …the chair of the Bar Council, Sam Townend KC, said last week: “The short-notice implementation of cuts in sitting days is causing real concern in courts up and down the country and will impact on