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14 January 2026
Issue: 8145 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Criminal , Legal aid focus , Arbitration , Equality
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Brimelow sets out Bar priorities for 2026

Bar campaigns will focus on protecting juries, legal aid and children’s rights in the year ahead with a working group already looking into the age of criminal responsibility, chair Kirsty Brimelow KC has said

Giving her inaugural address as chair at Gray’s Inn this week, Brimelow said the current age of ten years is the lowest in Europe, while many children in custody are care-experienced, and neurodiversity and learning disabilities are ‘significantly over-represented’.

Brimelow will challenge government proposals to reduce jury trials, fight for legal aid increases, promote commercial and arbitration work at home and abroad, and campaign for more data collection on cases involving abuse and murder due to witchcraft beliefs. She proposes the Sentencing Council consider including witchcraft belief as an aggravating factor when sentencing.

Another major campaign is fairer allocation of briefs among barristers by solicitors and earnings inequality at the Bar. Brimelow said: ‘Junior barristers and women often don’t bill to reflect the work that they have done, feeling pressured or lacking confidence.’

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Freeths—David Smith

Freeths—David Smith

Freeths secures major tax hire with appointment of David Smith

Ellisons—Chris Burnett

Ellisons—Chris Burnett

Patent attorney joins Ellisons to strengthen intellectual property offering

Katten Muchin Rosenman—Charlotte Hill

Katten Muchin Rosenman—Charlotte Hill

Katten strengthens financial markets and funds group in London

NEWS
The Court of Appeal's decision in Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP has lifted months of uncertainty for Chartered Legal Executives while prompting a rethink of regulation and supervision
The assisted dying debate returns to Westminster as Lauren Edwards MP reintroduces legislation that stalled in the House of Lords last session despite clearing the Commons
A little-noticed provision of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 has fundamentally expanded corporate criminal liability
Artificial intelligence is transforming legal practice, but careless reliance on it is creating growing professional risks
The law offers cohabiting couples surprisingly greater protection after one partner dies than when they separate during life
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