Bar Council names Claire Davies KC as next vice chair

A criminal silk has been elected as the next vice chair of the bar. Claire Davies KC, called in 1999, will join an all-woman leadership team in 2027. 

Davies, a member of Farringdon Chambers, in London, practises in serious and complex criminal law, specialising in allegations of homicide, organised crime, fraud and sexual offences. A Crown court recorder (part-time judge) since 2016, Davies took silk in 2022.

The Bar Council said Davies had a ‘particular interest in equality, diversity and inclusion’ and has been ‘heavily involved’ in the bar’s justice needs juries campaign where she has given oral evidence to the Public Bill Committee for the Courts and Tribunals Bill.

Davies said: ‘It is a critical time for the publicly funded bar and, now more than ever, the whole bar must remain united in influencing the decisions that shape our future to continue our international reputation.

‘I am committed to continuing the vital work already being undertaken to oppose the curtailment of jury trials. We must ensure we have a justice system representative of the society it serves and one which increases access to justice for all. I welcome the planned initiatives to improve efficiency within our criminal justice system. By embracing the increased use of technology to modernise the way we work we can deliver better outcomes for justice while improving practitioner wellbeing.’

Her priorities, she said, would include ‘retention of practitioners, encouragement of the talent already at the bar and recruitment into our profession’.

Davies will join the Bar Council from 1 January 2027 alongside current vice chair Heidi Stonecliffe KC, who succeeds Kirsty Brimelow KC as chair.