The Young Barristers' Committee (YBC) is one of the main representative Committees of The General Council of the Bar. It exists to champion the interests of barristers in the early years of practice — those under seven years' Call — across both employed and self-employed practice.

Led by a Chair and Vice-Chair, the Committee comprises elected members of the Bar Council as well as co-opted barristers who ensure representation from a broad range of practice areas, circuits, and specialist Bar associations.

Representation & Role

The YBC gives a voice to pupils and junior practitioners at the national level. Its work includes:

• Advising The Bar Council on issues affecting the Young Bar, from pupillage reform to regulatory change.
• Engaging with Circuit and Specialist Bar Associations to reflect regional and practice-area concerns.
• Producing practical guidance — most notably the Young Bar Toolkit — written by YBC members with input from solicitors, pupil supervisors, clerks, and Bar Council staff.
• Promoting wellbeing, fair treatment, and sustainable working practices across the profession.

The Young Bar Hub serves as a central resource for barristers navigating the early years of practice, offering practical guidance on the professional, financial, and regulatory challenges that arise during this formative period. Whether you are a pupil just beginning your journey or a junior barrister building your practice, the materials here are designed to support you across both employed and self-employed settings. From managing your finances and understanding tax obligations to maintaining wellbeing and balancing professional relationships, the toolkit draws on the collective experience of practitioners who have walked the same path. It is a space shaped by the profession, for the profession, rooted in the realities of life at the Bar.

Leadership

The Committee is led by a Chair and Vice-Chair, elected from among its members. All members are barristers under seven years' Call, bringing direct, current experience of the challenges facing the Young Bar. Co-opted members broaden the Committee's reach into under-represented practice areas and circuits.

Key Resources