THE BAR COUNCIL

Representation

The Bar Council comprises ex officio members, those who are directly elected and representatives of the Circuits, the Inns and specialist Bar Associations – about 110 in total.

The Leader of the Circuit is an ex officio member. The Circuit has two representatives, a Silk and junior, currently Mark Wall QC of Citadel Chambers, Birmingham and Richard Atkins, of St Philip’s, Birmingham. Tim Newman of 5 Fountain Court is an elected member.

The Bar Council meets eight times a year, mostly on Saturday mornings. Reports are presented, issues of importance are debated and votes are taken. Any subscriber is entitled to attend.

Much of the detailed work is done through the 21 committees of the Bar Council. Tim Newman and Richard Atkins are members of the Remuneration Committee. Many who are not Bar Council members volunteer their services to these committees and there are always opportunities for those who would like to make a contribution to the valuable work which is carried out.

It is essential that those representing the Circuit should be fully informed of issues of concern or interest to practitioners. Contact by e-mail is always welcome.

The Crown Prosecution Service

The Crown Prosecution Service has been, and will remain, a vital source of work for the self-employed Bar.

The CPS/Bar Liaison Group meets in January and July each year, chaired by the Director Public Prosecutions and attended by the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Bar, together with Gareth Evans QC and all other Circuit Leaders. Greg Dickinson QC also attends. This is a valuable forum in which to raise matters of importance and principle. 

CPS Higher Courts Advocates

The rapid expansion in the deployment of CPS Higher Courts Advocates is a matter of pressing concern to many. Gareth Evans QC and Greg Dickinson QC, with representatives of the other Circuits, are engaged in regular meetings with the CPS in an effort to ensure that the CPS quickly develops a consistent and coherent approach and that work continues to flow to the self-employed Bar at all levels.