Read more on the BBC: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
10.03.2026 09:59
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Bar Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC said: "This letter and its more than 3,000 signatories demonstrate the unequivocal principled and practical opposition to the restriction of jury trials from not only the Bar, but the legal profession as a whole..."
Read more: bit.ly/4riRqfz
Several well-known on-screen faces have also signed the letter including 'Judge Rinder’, ‘chaser’ Shaun Wallace
and both barrister contestants from this year’s Traitors series, Harriet Tyce and Hugo Lodge.
Signatories include Bar Chair and Vice Chair, @thecriminalbar.bsky.social Chair and Vice Chair and all Circuit leaders as well as the former Director of Public Prosecutions Sir David Calvert-Smith, Fiona Rutherford of @justicehq.bsky.social, and Emma Torr @appealcharity.bsky.social
Our letter urges the government against draining valuable time and resources from our criminal justice system by attempting to force through an unpopular, untested and poorly evidenced change to our jury system.
More than 300 KCs and 22 retired judges are among the 3,236 legal professionals who have signed our letter calling on the Prime Minister to stop the government's jury trial proposal ahead of a parliamentary debate on new legislation to restrict jury trials today.🧵
Huge thanks to the Northern Circuit team for another great day rich with input from barristers on what more the Bar Council can do to support the Bar. Watch this space...
A group of 8 people in business suits standing and smiling. The room they are in has Georgian coving and dark blue painted walls with a large mirror and wooden floor boards.
In the afternoon we were warmly welcomed to 15 Winckley Square Chambers where we discussed family legal aid, support for medium-sized chambers to meet regulatory requirements, wellbeing, support for career progression and the Bar Council's new 'Speak for Success' outreach programme for schools.
A white A4 sign on a pillar. On the sign is a photograph of a woman and underneath is the text "Meet Kirsty Brimelow KC, Chair of the Bar. Drop in sessions Friday 6 March 2026."
In Preston Crown Court robing room we discussed the next steps in the Bar Council and CBA 'Justice needs juries' campaign, ongoing frustrations with late delivery of defendants, translation and interpretation services, legal aid, and technology.
A group of 10 men and women in business suits standing and smiling. Behind them is the top of a large coat of arms on the wall.
We had incredibly useful discussions with RJ HHJ Altham, DCJ HHJ Beech and DFJ HHJ Bancroft. We heard about Preston's innovative expedited trial scheme to tackle Crown Court backlogs, issues relating to judicial & lawyer safety, digitisation, and coordination to address domestic abuse.
Five women standing outside a red brick building smiling. Behind them is a black sign with white writing that reads: "Preston Combined Court Centre"
Day 2 on our excellent Northern Circuit visit - today we were in Preston, kindly hosted by Julie Taylor at 15 Winckley Square Chambers. Chair of the Bar @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social and Chair of the Young Barristers' Committee Amelia Clegg met with senior judges at Preston Combined Court.
Image of an alarm clock in the background with text stating: "Has your case been impacted by individuals in custody being delivered to court late? Report it to the Bar Council." The Bar Council logo is at the top.
Barristers repeatedly tell us that significant delays are caused by the late delivery of individuals in custody to the court room.
If you experience a delay, please tell us about it so we can demonstrate the impact to HMCTS and the Ministry of Justice: https://bit.ly/4lcqkoX
Thank you to everyone who came to meet us to talk about life working on the Northern Circuit. Next stop.... Preston.
In the afternoon we were kindly hosted by St Johns Buildings Chambers in Liverpool where we discussed AI and technology, support for pupils, career progression and support for those applying for silk, the new Bar Commissioner for Conduct, and standard contractual terms.
Kirsty also spoke with barristers and solicitor advocates in Liverpool Civil and Family Court, and met with family and civil judges in the court. Topics included legal aid, listing, technology, bullying and harassment, advocacy training, and returning to the Bar.
Fantastic first day on our visit to the Northern Circuit hosted by Circuit Leader Samantha Hillas KC and Circuit Junior Isabella Denn-White. In the morning Chair of the Bar Kirsty Brimelow KC met with HHJ Wood, Designated Civil Judge for Cheshire and Merseyside.
We have postponed our upcoming Dubai event and encourage UK lawyers in the Middle East to register with the FCDO and follow the travel advice for the country, the advice of the local authorities and from the relevant British embassy or consulate.
www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/mid...
For #IWD, Commissioner for Conduct Dame Maria Miller will be discussing ending sexism, sexual harassment and violence against women in the legal and medical professions.
The BMA's Women in Academic Medicine group webinar will spotlight the systemic issues experienced across both professions.
It's time to celebrate the incredible work of legal aid lawyers. We're proud to sponsor the Legal Aid Barrister of the Year award in the 2026 LALYs.
Get your nominations in by Tuesday 21 April ⤵️
Authorisation to practise is now open.
During this process you can subscribe to the Bar Representation Fee to support our work and gain access to money-saving benefits.
Find out more: www.barcouncil.org.uk/about/bar-re...
The Bar Council is aware that barristers are working in the UAE. The FCDO has published advice including 'register your presence abroad' and 4 Stone Buildings is coordinating requests and queries. The Bar Council offers support to barristers alongside chambers.
www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/uae...
A pink background features the logos of The Bar Council and The Criminal Bar Association. The text reads: "JUSTICE NEEDS JURIES" and "Last chance to sign our open letter to the Prime Minister."
⏰ Help us send a strong message to the government to ask them to rethink the approach to juries.
Sign your name by 9am tomorrow, Mon 2nd March ➡️ https://bit.ly/4kMn9DX
Thank you for your support.
#JusticeNeedsJuries
Meet this year's YBC Chair, employed barrister Amelia Clegg.
She has shared her three committee priorities for 2026 in the latest edition of Counsel Magazine ➡️ https://bit.ly/3OPtxOZ
Legal professionals - you still have time to sign our open letter to the Prime Minister on jury reforms. We’re planning to send the letter to the PM soon - you have until Sunday 1 March to add your signature.
Sign your name now: www.barcouncil.org.uk/media-campai...
Thank you. #JusticeNeedsJuries
We’re anticipating that draft legislation to curtail jury trials will be announced tomorrow, so we need to send a strong message to the government, asking them to rethink the approach. If you’re a legal professional, please add your signature: www.barcouncil.org.uk/media-campai...
An ornate court building with large columns and an emblem on top is shown. A Bar Council logo is at the top left. A text banner reads, "Bar Council welcomes courts sitting at maximum capacity but warns against reducing jury trials."
A quote attributed to Kirsty Brimelow KC, Chair of the Bar Council, on a pink background. The text reads: We have long called for the limit on the number of days that courts can sit to be removed and are encouraged that this is being implemented... We fully support and share the government’s aim of bringing down the 80,000 backlog in the criminal courts and tackling the chronic delays. However, we continue to oppose the government’s proposed restriction of jury trials. It will drain precious resources away from the needed reforms that can be implemented now and place additional pressure on a stretched and stressed workforce.
We're encouraged that the government has announced investment in the criminal courts that will allow courts to run at maximum capacity next year.
However we continue to oppose the government’s proposed restriction of jury trials because #JusticeNeedsJuries
Read our statement: https://bit.ly/4rB2wNT
We’re anticipating that draft legislation to curtail jury trials will be announced soon, so we need to send a strong message to the Government, asking them to rethink the approach. If you’re a legal professional, please sign our open letter to the Prime Minister www.barcouncil.org.uk/media-campai...
"We cannot have trials without judges, but we cannot have justice without juries," writes Chris Henley KC.
In this article from this month's Counsel magazine, Chris Henley KC explains why replacing trial by jury with judge-only trials risks undermining justice ⤵️
https://bit.ly/4cadp4i
The letter is supported by the Criminal Bar Association and all 6 circuit leaders.
Thank you for your support.
