The Bar Council is responsible for the maintenance of the standards, honour and independence of the Bar and, through its Professional Conduct Committee, receives and investigates complaints against members of the Bar in their professional capacity.
Members of the Bar Council
The following are members of the Bar Council:-
- The Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General, the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman and the Bursar ex officio.
- 14 Other Members of the Bar or persons registered under Article 3 of the Lawyers' Establishment Directive (of whom at least 4 shall be Members of the Inner Bar and one shall be of not more than 3 years' standing) elected by the practising barristers from among their number or persons registered under Article 3 of the Lawyers' Establishment Directive. Of those elected the three members of the Inner Bar and the 6 Members of the Outer Bar (one of whom shall be of not more than 3 years standing) or persons registered under Article 3 of the Lawyers' Establishment Directive who secure the highest number of votes at the election shall become Members of the Executive Council in accordance with Regulation 5(a) (6).
- Not more than 3 other practising barristers or persons registered under Article 3 of the Lawyers' Establishment Directive co-opted by the Bar Council to ensure proper representation of all sections of the Bar. Co-opted members shall hold office until the first relevant date after an election of practising barristers to be members of the Executive Council.
Functions of the Bar Council
- To maintain the standards, honour and independence of the Bar, to promote, preserve and improve the services and functions of the Bar and to represent and act for the Bar generally as well as in its relations with others and also in all matters affecting the administration of justice.
- To survey and regulate as thought fit all matters relating to:-
- the professional etiquette of the Bar;
- the organisation and conditions of work at the Bar;
- the remuneration of the Bar;
- the relationship of the Bar with other professions and with the Law Society. - To call and have the conduct of an Annual General Meeting of the Bar immediately following the Annual General Meeting of the Inn and to convene such Extraordinary General Meeting of or to canvass the Bar or any section of the Bar as it may think fit, by ballot or otherwise.
Powers of the Bar Council
The Bar Council shall have the following powers:-
- to make its own bye-laws.
- to appoint a Professional Conduct Committee, and such other Committee as the Bar Council shall consider desirable, all of which Committees and any Sub-Committees of the Bar Council shall conform to any bye-laws which may be imposed on them by the Bar Council.
- to delegate any of its functions and powers to any such Committee and at any time to revoke such delegation.
Committees of the Bar Council
There shall be the following Committees of the Bar Council:-
- The Professional Conduct Committee
- Committees and Membership