Bar Council elections

Alistair MacDonald QC, a criminal practitioner and co-Head of Chambers at New Park Chambers in Leeds, has been named the vice chair-elect of the Bar Council, following a contested election. He will take up the post on 1 January 2014. Commercial practitioner Nicholas Lavender QC, of Serle Court Chambers, will be the new chairman. He acts in commercial disputes, particularly in banking cases, and is a recorder, a bencher of the Inner Temple and an advocacy trainer. Stephen Collier, group chief executive of General Healthcare Group, will continue as treasurer.