The Bar Council
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Representing and supporting the 18,000 practising barristers in England and Wales. www.barcouncil.org.uk
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Join Barbara Mills KC on Thursday 13 November to hear about the progress made on one of her key priorities this year, wellbeing.

Barbara will update you on the progress made to date on wellbeing and her vision for the next steps.

Book your place: www.barcouncil.org.uk/.../sustaini....
thebarcouncil.bsky.social
"I am delighted to be hosting an event in London to put further focus on this important topic.

"I will be sharing the latest Barristers' Working Lives wellbeing data, giving updates on our reflective practice pilots and we also have a practical advice session from leading experts."

bit.ly/48uwtZi
The Chair’s annual event: advancing wellbeing at the Bar
Hosted by Barbara Mills KC, Chair of the Bar of England and Wales, join us for an evening focusing on wellbeing at the Bar.
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Nearly 60% of respondents reported poor mental wellbeing in the latest Life in the Law report by LawCare.

Chair Barbara Mills KC told The Global Legal Post that the data from the report shows how important it is improve the culture and embed proactive wellbeing practices across the sector.
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We're one month away from our Handling client complaints seminar.

Find out more about responding to subject access requests, how to avoid and manage complaints, and hear from our expert panel from the Legal Ombudsman and chambers.

Book your place: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...
thebarcouncil.bsky.social
Bibi Badejo's work transforms talented advocates worldwide, empowering them to excel.

A recognised expert in trial advocacy, Bibi founded The Advocacy Coach to help lawyers sharpen their courtroom skills through coaching, workshops, and courses.

Find out more⤵️
https://bit.ly/4olb5dG
Image for Black History Month 2025: Standing firm in power and pride, featuring Bibi Badejo. In the background are the red, yellow, and green ribbons of Black History Month. In the bottom righthand corner is the Bar Council's logo. 
The white text on the black background reads: "Bibi Badejo is a recognised expert in trial advocacy and founded The Advocacy Podcast and The Advocacy Coach to help lawyers worldwide sharpen their courtroom skills. With listeners in over 150 countries and a worldwide coaching practice, Bibi’s work transforms talented advocates, empowering them to excel while raising standards across the profession."
The image includes the Black History Month ribbons and the Bar Council logo.
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If you've already secured your ticket, keep an eye on your email inbox for links to join.

You can still book for the webinars. Don't miss out: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...

We look forward to welcoming you all throughout the week. #PupillageFair2025
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📢 The Bar Council's Pupillage Fair 2025 starts today.

Our webinars will give you insight into life as a barrister in different practice areas, what funding is available to you, and how to make the most out of your applications.
thebarcouncil.bsky.social
Politically motivated attacks on the legal profession are irresponsible and dangerous. Legal organisations representing 250,000 lawyers have come together to express grave concern.
Read the statement
www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/vil...
Read the news
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Press cutting of the printed version of the story
thebarcouncil.bsky.social
Children law barrister James Cleary volunteered to become a wellbeing officer on the Midland Circuit after he saw the consequences of the job pressures on colleagues.

Read his blog about a recent men's wellbeing Circuit event ➡️ https://bit.ly/46VB5GN
thebarcouncil.bsky.social
This week members of the Bar of England and Wales met with the Supreme Court Bar Association in New Delhi. On Saturday we organised a family law symposium with leading family law practitioners from both jurisdictions. www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/bar...
The Chair of the Bar Barbara Mills KC and members of the Bar Council of England and Wales met with the Supreme Court Bar Association in New Delhi. This is a photograph of the panel speakers at our family law symposium in New Delhi. From left to right are Umar Farooqui, Salman Khurshid, Barbara Mills KC and Baljinder Bath.
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Join our Life at the Bar webinar series, as part of our Pupillage Fair, starting Monday from 4.30pm.

We have a few tickets left, book now: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-events/conferences-and-seminars/pupillage-fair/pupillage-fair-2025-your-guide-to-the-event/life-at-the-bar-webinars.html
thebarcouncil.bsky.social
Join Barbara Mills KC on Thursday 13 November to hear about the progress made on one of her key priorities this year, wellbeing.

Barbara will update you on the progress made to date on wellbeing and her vision for the next steps.

Book your place: www.barcouncil.org.uk/.../sustaini....
thebarcouncil.bsky.social
Today we celebrate Mass Ndow-Njie, who has worked tirelessly to reshape the future of our profession.

He founded Bridging the Bar, a leading force in opening doors for aspiring barristers from under-represented communities.

Find out more about Bridging the Bar⤵️
https://bridgingthebar.org/
Image for Black History Month 2025: Standing firm in power and pride. On a black background is intertwined red, green, and black ribbons of Black History Month. The image features Mass Ndow-Njie's headshot. The Bar Council logo is in the bottom righthand corner. 
On a black background is white text which reads: "Determined to make the Bar a place of belonging, Mass Ndow-Njie founded Bridging the Bar. Now in its 5th year, the initiative has become a leading force in opening doors for aspiring barristers from under-represented communities. Mass also broke new ground as the first pupil barrister recognised as ‘Barrister of the Week’ by a leading legal publication. Tireless in his commitment to fairness and access, he is reshaping the future of the profession with courage and generosity."
In the top righthand corner are the intertwined red, green, and black ribbons of Black History Month. The Bar Council logo is in the bottom righthand corner.
thebarcouncil.bsky.social
We want to help chambers increase accessibility and be more inclusive, particularly for mobility impaired people. We'll share ways to improve accessibility, tools to help with your plans & share findings from our research on accessibility in chambers.
Book now: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...
thebarcouncil.bsky.social
Entries to our Law reform essay competition close in two weeks. Don't miss your chance to win £4,000.

Submit your essay making the case to reform English, Welsh or European law by 23 October.

Find out more and enter: lnkd.in/eyd3Arg8
thebarcouncil.bsky.social
Today's Court of Appeal judgment in XGY v Chief Constable of Sussex Police & CPS restates the principle of core immunity for advocates. We intervened in the case and welcome the ruling.

Read our full statement: www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/bar...
Photograph of the outside of the Royal Courts of Justice in London - a large grey stone building in the Victorian Gothic Revival style. In white text on a pink banner across the bottom of the image are the words: "Court of Appeal ruling on advocate immunity welcome". The Bar Council logo is in the top right of the image. White text on a pink background reads: "In our intervention we sought to protect the core principle of immunity from liability for advocates and argued that those who participate in court proceedings should be able to speak freely, without fear of being sued. Barbara Mills KC, Chair of the Bar Council." There are large white quote marks above and below the text.
thebarcouncil.bsky.social
Build your understanding of cyber security with our on-demand course.

This course helps you:
Understand the impact of cyber crime
Be able to spot the types of cyber attacks
Defend against cyber attacks
Know how to respond to a cyber incident

Book the course: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...
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Change starts now.

In a new article for New Law Journal, Chair Barbara Mills KC discusses Baroness Harriet Harman KC's independent review into bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar and what's next.

Read more⤵️
https://www.newlawjournal.co.uk/content/change-starts-now
The New Law Journal article called 'Change starts now' is shown on a tablet screen. The adjacent text includes a quote from the article which reads: "This is an issue that I am personally very committed to as a practitioner, as a joint head of chambers and now as Chair of the Bar. Everyone deserves a safe working environment, for everyone to feel part of the Bar and to belong. This is a once in a generation opportunity for the Bar to change its culture — and for all of us that change starts now.”. The logo of The Bar Council is displayed in the top left corner.
thebarcouncil.bsky.social
Dr. Francine Ryan, Director of The Open University’s Open Justice Centre predicts the legal profession will be transformed due to generative AI, but with the right approach and training she says it represents an opportunity.

Read her blog ➡️ https://bit.ly/4h3RFYf

@openuniversity.bsky.social
thebarcouncil.bsky.social
Can you spare a few hours next Saturday to support the next generation of barristers?

Join our Pupillage Fair in London on Saturday 18 October from 10am and offer your advice on aspiring barristers' CV and applications.

Find out more and sign up to volunteer: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...
thebarcouncil.bsky.social
Today we're celebrating a beacon of inspiration Dame Linda Dobbs DBE. She was the first Black person appointed as a High Court Judge in the UK, an achievement which marked a turning point in the judiciary.

Watch her First 100 Years interview to hear about her life & career https://lnkd.in/dtQfdjPA
Image for Black History Month 2025: Standing firm in power and pride. On a black background is intertwined red, green, and black ribbons of Black History Month. Before it is Dame Linda Dobbs DBE's headshot - her name is in text underneath. In the bottom righthand corner is the Bar Council logo. Black background with white text. The red, green and yellow ribbons of Black History Month are in the top right corner. Text reads: 'Dame Linda Dobbs was the first Black person appointed as a High Court Judge in the UK. She served on the Queen’s Bench Division from 2004 to 2013. Her achievement marked a turning point in the judiciary and remains a beacon of inspiration. Beyond the Bench, she has trained judges and lawyers across world, particularly in Africa and the Caribbean. She has devoted herself to mentoring and creating opportunities, ensuring that others can follow the path she helped to carve. Black History Month 2025: Standing firm in power and pride.' The Bar Council logo is in the bottom right corner.
thebarcouncil.bsky.social
The President of the American Bar Association (ABA), Michelle Behnke, has been interviewed by The Guardian. She was in London this week for the opening of the legal year and to take part in a discussion with Bar and Law Society leaders on the safety and protection of lawyers.
https://bit.ly/4nCqTsy
Trump's crackdown on lawyers shows ‘no place is immune', says US bar chief
Michelle Behnke says lawyers from around the world have given support as ABA challenges ‘policy of intimidation'
www.theguardian.com
thebarcouncil.bsky.social
There'll also be a practical, interactive workshop led by experts, who'll dive into proven techniques and strategies designed to help you:

✅ Build lasting resilience
✅ Reclaim your work-life balance
✅ Embed habits that support long-term wellbeing

Book now: www.barcouncil.org.uk/training-eve...