Governing Bodies

The Bar Council

As an elected body of practising barristers, the Bar Council is responsible for the overall governance, regulation and representation of the profession.

The Bar Council supervises the adherence of members of the Bar to the Code of Conduct and refers concerns in that regard to the Professional Conduct Committee. In addition the Bar Council also has responsibility for implementing, in accordance with the Legal Complaints and Regulation Act (NI) 2016, procedures for the resolution of complaints relating to professional services provided by members of the Bar.

The powers and functions of the Bar Council are defined in the Constitution and Bye-laws of the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland. Please contact the Bar Council Office via bco@barofni.org or 02890 562349 if you would like more information on the Constitution of the Bar Council.

The Executive Council of the Inn of Court

The Executive Council has specific responsibilities relating to the education and training of barristers who have been called to the Bar of Northern Ireland. It also has the power to appoint Disciplinary Committees to consider cases relating to a barrister’s professional conduct.

The powers and functions of the Executive Council are defined in the Constitution and Bye-laws of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland.

The Benchers of the Inn of Court

In order to become a barrister in Northern Ireland one must first be admitted to the Inn of Court. The Benchers of the Inn of Court comprise senior members of the Bar and the judiciary including the Lady Chief Justice.

Their responsibilities include:

• Determining the qualifications and training required by those seeking to be admitted as student members of the Inn.
• Receiving, considering and deciding upon applications from those seeking to be admitted as student members of the Inn.
• Receiving, considering and deciding upon applications from those seeking to be called to the Bar of Northern Ireland.
• Inviting the Lady Chief Justice to call to the Bar of Northern Ireland those whose Memorials to be called have been approved by the Bar Council and accepted by the Benchers.
• Appointing a “Disciplinary Appeal Committee” to hear an appeal from a decision of a Disciplinary Committee.
• Establishing and maintaining the Bar Complaints Committee to hear complaints made in relation to the provision of professional services by barristers in accordance with the Legal Complaints and Regulation Act (NI) 2016.
• Disbarring or suspending a barrister from practice for a period in accordance with the recommendation of a Disciplinary Committee or a Disciplinary Appeal Committee.
• Expelling or suspend a student of the Inn

The powers and functions of the Benchers are defined in the Constitution and Bye-laws of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland. You can contact the Bar Council Office for more information on the Constitution and Bye-laws of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland.