The Bar Council has set up a working group to review its constitution and structure in light of the separation of its representative and regulatory functions, it has emerged.

Chairman Stephen Hockman QC said the group under the leadership of the former Lord Justice of Appeal, Sir Paul Kennedy, will also consider the current review of the vocational stage of training for the bar, relations with the Crown Prosecution Service, and the council's relationship with the Council of the Inns of Court.


This review follows the Alexander Report in the 1990s, conducted by the late Lord Alexander of Weedon QC, which led to a revision of the Bar Council's shape and membership.


Bar Council vice-chairman Geoffrey Vos QC said it was following Lord Alexander's advice that the issue of structure be revisited after five years. He said the review would also examine the future look of the representative Bar Council.