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The government has announced plans to repeal the presumption of parental involvement from the Children Act 1989 because of the evidence that has challenged the assumption that it’s always in the best interest of a child to have the involvement of both parents. Launching these reforms, aimed at preventing or perpetuating abuse, are welcome. However, such a measure is only effective if it is underpinned by a properly funded system that can deliver truly child-centred and survivor-focused justice.
All parties should be represented and have access to non-means- and non-merit-tested legal aid. The cuts and elimination of some areas of legal aid have had a devastating effect on all aspects of family courts.
At a Parliamentary roundtable, ‘No one left behind – domestic abuse, legal aid and equal access to justice’ with Jess Asato MP, I made the case that those who hold the purse strings must invest in the family courts if the government wants to meet its aim to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. Family courts are in a unique position to prevent future harm.
An increase in Crown Court sitting days has also been announced and will allow judges to sit for a total of 111,250 days next year. We have supported the increase but again have warned that more sitting days plus long-term investment are needed to reduce the criminal court backlog. To have an immediate and significant impact on the delays, there should be no limit to the number of days that courts can sit.
We joined forces with the Law Society of England and Wales, the Law Society of Scotland, the Faculty of Advocates, the Bar of Northern Ireland and the Law Society of Northern Ireland to highlight the climate of increasing hostility towards lawyers and judges.
We have collectively warned that political attacks on legal professionals are irresponsible and dangerous and restated the importance of the UN principle that lawyers should not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes as a result of discharging their functions.
Our launch of this year’s 10,000 Black Interns project (10KBI) at the Bar sparked a backlash on social media and prompted questions from individuals over its legality. The scheme, which has been running since 2022 at the Bar, is lawful positive action under ss 158 and 159 of the Equality Act based on evidence of underrepresentation in relation to access to the profession.
It’s one of many schemes across the Bar to provide mentoring, work experience and other support to aspiring barristers from underrepresented groups.
We’ve been heartened by the many messages of support we’ve received from barristers, chambers and Inns – all of whom are pleased to be involved with outreach programmes and recognise the importance of equality and diversity in our profession.
We’re proud of the work we do on improving equality, diversity and inclusion at the Bar and we are committed to continuing to run and promote our excellent programmes.
The theme of Black History Month was ‘standing firm in power and pride’, celebrating leading Black figures in all walks of life and our Race Panel members were asked to nominate Black barristers who have made a significant contribution in the past and those who are making an impact for the future.
The Black barristers nominated were Courtenay Griffiths KC, Anesta Weekes KC, Leonard Woodley QC, Dame Linda Dobbs DBE, Bibi Badejo, Rachel Bale, Mass Ndow-Njie, Glenn Parsons and Ife Thompson. These distinguished colleagues have created a path for others to follow and you can read more about them on the Bar Council website.
Over many years the Bar Council has worked in collaboration with leading members of the Indian Bar and last month we hosted a Family Law Symposium in New Delhi to explore contemporary cross-border issues and dispute resolution in family law.
The event was part of a delegation visit to India to take on the next steps following regulatory changes in India announced in 2023 and updated in 2025 that apply to foreign lawyers. The trip also focused on supporting India’s ambition to become a regional hub for international arbitration.
The trip was a wonderful opportunity, and we were able to strengthen the existing relationships we have in India. Stronger cooperation and ties between lawyers in our respective jurisdictions will lead to positive outcomes for all involved.
Barbara Mills KC is the 2025 Chair of the Bar. She is a specialist family practitioner at 4PB and former Co-Chair of the Bar Council’s Race Working Group.
The government has announced plans to repeal the presumption of parental involvement from the Children Act 1989 because of the evidence that has challenged the assumption that it’s always in the best interest of a child to have the involvement of both parents. Launching these reforms, aimed at preventing or perpetuating abuse, are welcome. However, such a measure is only effective if it is underpinned by a properly funded system that can deliver truly child-centred and survivor-focused justice.
All parties should be represented and have access to non-means- and non-merit-tested legal aid. The cuts and elimination of some areas of legal aid have had a devastating effect on all aspects of family courts.
At a Parliamentary roundtable, ‘No one left behind – domestic abuse, legal aid and equal access to justice’ with Jess Asato MP, I made the case that those who hold the purse strings must invest in the family courts if the government wants to meet its aim to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. Family courts are in a unique position to prevent future harm.
An increase in Crown Court sitting days has also been announced and will allow judges to sit for a total of 111,250 days next year. We have supported the increase but again have warned that more sitting days plus long-term investment are needed to reduce the criminal court backlog. To have an immediate and significant impact on the delays, there should be no limit to the number of days that courts can sit.
We joined forces with the Law Society of England and Wales, the Law Society of Scotland, the Faculty of Advocates, the Bar of Northern Ireland and the Law Society of Northern Ireland to highlight the climate of increasing hostility towards lawyers and judges.
We have collectively warned that political attacks on legal professionals are irresponsible and dangerous and restated the importance of the UN principle that lawyers should not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes as a result of discharging their functions.
Our launch of this year’s 10,000 Black Interns project (10KBI) at the Bar sparked a backlash on social media and prompted questions from individuals over its legality. The scheme, which has been running since 2022 at the Bar, is lawful positive action under ss 158 and 159 of the Equality Act based on evidence of underrepresentation in relation to access to the profession.
It’s one of many schemes across the Bar to provide mentoring, work experience and other support to aspiring barristers from underrepresented groups.
We’ve been heartened by the many messages of support we’ve received from barristers, chambers and Inns – all of whom are pleased to be involved with outreach programmes and recognise the importance of equality and diversity in our profession.
We’re proud of the work we do on improving equality, diversity and inclusion at the Bar and we are committed to continuing to run and promote our excellent programmes.
The theme of Black History Month was ‘standing firm in power and pride’, celebrating leading Black figures in all walks of life and our Race Panel members were asked to nominate Black barristers who have made a significant contribution in the past and those who are making an impact for the future.
The Black barristers nominated were Courtenay Griffiths KC, Anesta Weekes KC, Leonard Woodley QC, Dame Linda Dobbs DBE, Bibi Badejo, Rachel Bale, Mass Ndow-Njie, Glenn Parsons and Ife Thompson. These distinguished colleagues have created a path for others to follow and you can read more about them on the Bar Council website.
Over many years the Bar Council has worked in collaboration with leading members of the Indian Bar and last month we hosted a Family Law Symposium in New Delhi to explore contemporary cross-border issues and dispute resolution in family law.
The event was part of a delegation visit to India to take on the next steps following regulatory changes in India announced in 2023 and updated in 2025 that apply to foreign lawyers. The trip also focused on supporting India’s ambition to become a regional hub for international arbitration.
The trip was a wonderful opportunity, and we were able to strengthen the existing relationships we have in India. Stronger cooperation and ties between lawyers in our respective jurisdictions will lead to positive outcomes for all involved.
The Bar Council continues to call for investment for the justice system and represent the interests of our profession both at home and abroad
By Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
AlphaBiolabs has made a £500 donation to Sean’s Place, a men’s mental health charity based in Sefton, as part of its ongoing Giving Back initiative
Q&A with Tim Lynch of Jordan Lynch Private Finance
By Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Six months of court observation at the Old Bailey: APPEAL’s Dr Nisha Waller and Tehreem Sultan report their findings on prosecution practices under joint enterprise
The Amazonian artist’s first international solo exhibition is wholly relevant to current issues in social and environmental justice, says Stephen Cragg KC
Despite its prevalence, autism spectrum disorder remains poorly understood in the criminal justice system. Does Alex Henry’s joint enterprise conviction expose the need to audit prisons? asks Dr Felicity Gerry KC
Until reforms are instituted and a programme of training is introduced, expert opinion on intimate partner abuse remains vital to realigning the tilted scales of law and justice, writes Professor Susan Edwards
It’s been five years since the groundbreaking QC competition in which six Black women barristers, including the 2025 Chair of the Bar, took silk. Yet today, the number of Black KCs remains ‘critically low’. Desirée Artesi talks to Baroness Scotland KC, Allison Munroe KC and Melanie Simpson KC about the critical success factors, barriers and ideas for embedding change
