The Executive Council (through its Education Committee) is responsible for considering Memorials submitted by applicants for admission as students of the Inn and by Bar students of the Inn for admission to the degree of Barrister-at-Law and making recommendations to the Benchers.
The final decisions on these Memorials are taken by the Benchers. The Benchers also have the exclusive power of expelling or suspending a Bar student and of disbarring a barrister or suspending a barrister from practice.
Role of the Executive Council of the Inn
The Executive Council is also involved with the education; setting of fees for students; calling counsel to the Bar although call to the Bar is performed by the Lord Chief Justice on the invitation of the Benchers; administration of the Bar Library (to which all practising members of the Bar belong); and liaising with corresponding bodies in other countries.
Members of the Executive Council
The following are members of the Executive Council:-
- The Lord Chief Justice and the Attorney-General ex officio.
- 2 Judges nominated from time to time by the Supreme Court Judges from among their number.
- 2 County Court Judges, who are barrister members of the Inn nominated from time to time by the County Court Judges who are barrister members of the Inn, from among their number.
- The Chairman, who shall be a practising barrister of at least ten years' standing and shall be elected by the practising barristers in accordance with such bye-laws as may be made from time to time for that purpose by the Executive Council. The Chairman shall be elected for two years. He/she may not be immediately re-elected but, subject thereto, may be elected for one further term.
- The Vice-Chairman who, shall be a practising barrister of at least ten years' standing and shall be elected by the practising barristers in accordance with such bye-laws as may be made from time to time for that purpose by the Executive Council. The Vice-Chairman shall be elected for two years. He/she may not be immediately re-elected but, subject thereto, may be elected for one further term.
- 9 other members of the Bar (of whom 3 shall be members of the Inner Bar and 6 shall be members of the Outer Bar and of these 6 one shall be of not more than three years' standing) or persons registered under Article 3 of the Lawyers' Establishment Directive elected by the practising barristers or persons registered under Article 3 of the Lawyers' Establishment Directive from among their number who shall, subject to and in accordance with such bye-laws as may from time to time be made for that purpose by the Executive Council, hold office for 2 years.
- The Bursar, who shall be a practising barrister elected by members of The Executive Council at its first meeting in a year. He/she shall be elected for a term of two years and shall be eligible for re-election. He/she shall become a member of the Executive Council on election under this Regulation for such period as he/she holds office as Bursar.
Powers of the Executive Council of the Inn
The Executive Council has the following powers on behalf of the Inn:-
- To consider and lay down general policy with regard to all matters affecting the profession (other than matters within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Bar Council) either of its own motion or on reference from any of its Standing Committees.
- To raise funds for its general purposes or any of them by way of subscriptions from current and former holders of judicial office and from practising and non-practising barristers and students, or otherwise.
- To determine qualifications for admission to the profession and in accordance with those qualifications to approve the memorials of persons seeking admission as students or barrister members of the Inn for presentation to the Benchers.
- To elect Bar Benchers.
- To review all matters referred to the Executive Council by way of its Standing Committees, the Benchers or the Bar Council.
- To refer back for further consideration any matter referred to the Executive Council by any of its Standing Committees, the Benchers or the Bar Council.
- To receive reports from time to time from any of its Standing Committees with regard to executive action taken in implementation of general policy.
- To refer any matter for consideration or action to any of its Committees, the Benchers or the Bar Council or its Committees.
- To elect the members of the Standing Committees (save for ex officio or nominated members).
- To appoint a Disciplinary Committee.
The Executive Council has the following Standing Committees:-
- The Finance Committee
- The Library Committee
- The Education Committee