Voting is now open for Bar Council elections.

The deadline for voting is 10am on Friday 16 October.

See the full list of candidates and their statements ➡️ https://bit.ly/4ecRw4r

Leaders of the legal profession from around the world have gathered in London today for the Opening of the Legal Year.

The event comes at a time of growing concern over attacks on judicial independence and increasing threats and harassment.

Read our joint press release ➡️ https://bit.ly/4z8o9IL

The Attorney General closes the #AGM and thanks everyone for attending. Including one member David Taylor of @stjohnsbuildings.bsky.social who attended on his birthday. Happy Birthday DT!
Thank you to everyone for following along.

The final report at our #AGM is our Chief Executive Jim Morris. He encourages members to take a look at our annual report which sets out the breadth of our work. JM thanks our volunteer barristers as "the lifeblood of the Bar Council".
www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/bar...

Dame Maria explains that a focus for her first months as Commissioner for Conduct has been making sure the guidance and information is in place to help people know how to report inappropriate behaviours. She has agreed protocols with the BSB and judiciary to make reporting clearer. #AGM

The AG introduces Dame Maria Miller - our first Commissioner for Conduct - to deliver her report to the #AGM. She says we have a responsibility to ensure the best legal system in the world has the highest professional standards.

The Treasurer highlights that the allocation of the practising certificate fee between the Bar Council and BSB has moved over years and is now at 76% to BSB (from 72% in 2023/24). She welcomed the Director General comments at the earlier mtg that they are focusing on budget as a priority #AGM

Lucinda Orr delivers the Treasurer's report to the #AGM and thanks the finance team. Highlights: additional income & savings - inc from AETOs and increases in attendance at Bar Council training; additional costs inc dilapidations provision & increase in projects not accounted for as cap ex.

The AG thanks KBKC for her report. She has been struck by the scale of the work the Bar Council has undertaken. The work on social mobility has really struck a chord - ensuring legal professions are open to people from all backgrounds. #AGM

The Chair runs through some other priorities: increasing min age of criminal responsibility; implementation of match-funded pupillages; social mobility & promoting our Speak for Success school resources; improving disability access to courts; climate change & the law; closing earnings gaps #AGM

KBKC also flags the importance of investing in our justice system as a shop window for our international work, inc through the English Law Promotion Panel, stressing the need for investment in legal aid and the wider justice system. #AGM

Chair of the Bar @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social delivers her report to the #AGM echoing the importance of the relationship between the Bar and law officers. KBKC recognises the AG's commitment to tackling violence against women and girls.

Attorney General @elliereeves.bsky.social KC MP welcomes members to our #AGM. She says "The close relationship between law officers and the Bar is incredibly important." And recognises the shared commitment for upholding the rule of law & public confidence in our justice system.

That's a wrap for the #BarCouncil meeting and we're heading into our annual general meeting which will be chaired by the Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC MP... We'll continue our updates on this thread shortly

Sally Burnell, Bar Council Director of Communications, updated #BarCouncil on the brand refresh project which is due to roll out later this month. The project aims to bridge the Bar Council's history with the modern Bar. Watch this space...

Lucinda Orr delivers the Treasurer's report to #BarCouncil. M'ment accounts dashboard is all on green. The forecast at June for our end year surplus is £395k. However, we need to wait for Q2/Q3 for a more accurate forecast position. LO notes BSB has made a remarkable improvement in its budgeting

Next at #BarCouncil, our Chief Exec Jim Morris thanks everyone for their support in his first 6m in post. Priorities are: leadership dev; IT and tech support across Bar Council & BSB; refreshing our strategy; internal governance and processes; and relationships between Bar Council and BSB.

Q from @faiselsadiq.bsky.social about the understanding of @barstandardsboard.bsky.social lay board members of how the barrister profession is structured. PG says current BSB board aim is to regulate less, better #BarCouncil

In response to Q from Western Circuit Leader Sarah Jones KC abt BSB monitoring of training on circuit, PG says they're aware it's an area they need to look at closely. Reg requirements are possibly going further than they need to. #BarCouncil

Phil Golding tells #BarCouncil he and the Chair Prof Chris Bones are also focused on relationships and greater collaboration, whilst maintaining independence as a regulator.