The Bar Council

"If the government replaces proposals for judge-only trials with trials by a judge plus two magistrates we are out of the frying pan and into the fire." Chair @Kirsty_Brimelow KC's letter to the Times today sets out why we are completely opposed to any restriction on jury trials. Read on (subscription required)⤵️ #JusticeNeedsJuries

@AllanCompton7 Up in Newcastle, leader of the North Eastern Circuit Caroline Goodwin KC and barrister Lorraine Mustard welcomed MPs Liz Twist and Catherine McKinnell. Inefficiencies caused by prisoner delays, the forensic science service and lack of court staff were among the topics discussed.

@AllanCompton7 We are collecting examples of these delays to illustrate the impact on the trial process. Please fill out the form for each experience 👇 barcouncil.org.uk/media-campaign…

Today we are hosting MPs in courts across England and Wales to hear about the issues affecting the criminal justice system as part of our #JusticeNeedsJuries campaign. First stop Merthyr Tydfil👇

Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare MP Gerald Jones met with barrister Alex Greenwood (Apex chambers) and other barristers at Merthyr Crown and magistrates’ courts. Discussions centred around how limiting jury trials will do nothing to bring down the backlog. Several made the point that if the backlog is the supposed justification for the change, it has even less of a standing in Wales as the backlog is far lower than in areas in England. They also discussed how access to justice has been reduced for some communities in Wales as at least 27 courts have closed since 2010. Thanks to Gerald Jones MP for his time and to the barristers at court for sharing their views.

We’ve invited MPs to these courts tomorrow to come and hear from you about the issues affecting the court, and the wider criminal justice system, as well as what's working well. If you're in court tomorrow, please share your views with them. #JusticeNeedsJuries

Today the government has published a Youth Justice White Paper, which proposes a range of measures to stop young people falling into crime. We've welcomed this proactive approach to the treatment of children in the criminal justice system, but funding must be sufficient and must not lag behind. Bar Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC has called for a shift from criminalisation to rehabilitation. Read more in the Law Gazette ➡️ bit.ly/4uVV8hl

⚖️On a Crown court visit, rebel MP Charlotte Nichols and bar chair Kirsty Brimelow heard about what’s really ailing criminal justice.  It’s not jury trials. Monidipa Fouzder reports: lawgazette.co.uk/news-focus/in-…

Good to speak to @lawsocgazette on why the government should not go ahead with reducing juries. I stressed: ‘You need to deal with what’s happening now. How do you do that? Open up the courts – the government has done that. Put money into the system – the government pledged a £34m increase in legal aid on 3 December 2025. They have not done it yet; there has been no consultation. That would address the workforce issue. Listings – you can learn from the courts having to get on with it themselves. It could be blitz courts or particular specialist courts.’ She points to Preston, Nottingham and Teesside, where delays have reduced. ‘Take these models and roll them out nationally.’

Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC spoke to Joshua Rozenberg on the Lawyer Writes podcast this week about what's next for the Courts and Tribunals Bill. Report stage is the next stage, when the bill - which includes the proposal to limit jury trials - will have a thorough debate. As Kirsty explained, this is an important stage as even though the government has a majority, there are a number of rebel MPs who are against reducing jury trials. We will continue to put forward our evidence based arguments on behalf of the profession that we know will go to the heart of the problem and reduce the inefficiencies in the courts. Listen now (subscription required)⤵️ bit.ly/4vboSaf #JusticeNeedsJuries

This week our Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC and MP Charlotte Nichols went to Snaresbrook Crown Court to talk to barristers and discuss the issues affecting the criminal justice system. One thing is for sure, it's not jury trials. They asked barristers to put their hand up if they supported the government's proposal to limit jury trials. None did. Monidipa Fouzder from Law Gazette spoke to the pair about the visit ➡️ edition.pagesuite.com/html5/reader/p… #JusticeNeedsJuries

We're calling on the UK Government to ratify the Council of Europe’s Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer on the anniversary of its launch. The UK was one of 17 countries that signed the convention last year and 29 states have now endorsed the instrument. Chair of the Bar Kirsty Brimelow KC said: "The safety of lawyers is essential to the rule of law and a functioning liberal democracy. The UK was an early signatory of the Luxembourg Treaty, but its commitment to the protection of lawyers will be measured at the point of ratification. "I urge the UK to lead the way in ratification and so show concrete support for European colleagues who work in jurisdictions where they face risk and danger." ➡️ bit.ly/435L7SI

In response to today's King's speech, Chair of the Bar Council Kirsty Brimelow KC has emphasised our opposition to restricting jury trials, called for more investment for the justice system and welcomed plans to reset UK-EU relations. In our immediate reaction, Kirsty has highlighted the Courts and Tribunals Bill, Immigration and Asylum Bill, and the European Partnership Bill ➡️ bit.ly/4wp4mUG

Bar Council Chair statement on contempt of court case Barrister Rajiv Menon KC has won an appeal on an important point of lack of jurisdiction. In a ruling on Tuesday, the Court of Appeal stopped Mr Menon's forthcoming case, saying there was no jurisdiction for the High Court to hear the case. But the senior judges left the option for the challenge to be resumed under correct procedural powers. Chair of the Bar Kirsty Brimelow KC said: “I have followed with concern this exceptional attempt to refer Rajiv Menon KC for contempt of court. A barrister has a duty to represent their clients fearlessly and judge-instigated contempt proceedings risk a chilling effect on the profession. The Court of Appeal judgment is welcomed, and it is hoped that this now is an end of this troubling episode."

Last week our Chair @Kirsty_Brimelow had a very constructive meeting with Sir Mark Rowley, @metpoliceuk Commissioner, covering violence against women & girls (including abuse through harmful practices), rape and serious sexual offence (RASSO) cases, delays pre-court and AI.

@Kirsty_Brimelow thetimes.com/comment/letter…

"If the government replaces proposals for judge-only trials with trials by a judge plus two magistrates we are out of the frying pan and into the fire." Chair @Kirsty_Brimelow KC's letter to the Times today sets out why we are completely opposed to any restriction on jury trials. Read on (subscription required)⤵️ #JusticeNeedsJuries

The Times reports today: "Adding to the pressure on ministers is a call today from the Bar Council... for the government to cough up a promised increase in criminal legal aid fees that was made five months ago." Chair of the Bar Council @Kirsty_Brimelow KC said: "If the government doesn’t invest in the lawyers who defend and prosecute cases we will see them leaving the criminal Bar again, which will lead to more delays in the system.” Kirsty has written to the government to ask for the promised £34m to be invested in criminal legal aid as soon as possible to address the government's concern over the shortage of prosecutors and defence barristers. Read more in The Times (£): thetimes.com/uk/law/article… #JusticeNeedsJuries

There is no evidence that limiting the right to a jury trial will bring down the Crown Court backlog. In fact, new data has shown that tried and tested, targeted initiatives are working to bring down the backlog already. Removing the cap on the number of days that judges can sit, for example, has "significantly" reduced the backlog in areas in England and Wales. The government should focus on what will work rather than waste time and resource on an unnecessary change to jury trials. Read more in the Times (subscription required)⤵️ bit.ly/3R7nW7N #JusticeNeedsJuries