Bar Representation Committee

The Bar Representation Committee (BRC) plays a prominent representative role within the Inn. The Committee exists to provide representation on behalf of those who have been called by the Inn who have not been elected Benchers, also known as members of Hall. The Committee currently (as of January 2023) has 25 members, reflective of the Inn’s diverse membership.

Members of the Committee sit on most of the Inn’s Bench Committees and play an active role in the governance of the Inn; having an input into Inn’s responses to Bar Council proposals and a say in strategic issues such as the management of the Inn’s property, finances and investment, as well as education, admissions, and scholarships.

The Committee meets six times a year to discuss issues which have arisen and to represent the views of members of Hall on matters which affect them at the Inn.

There are currently three Sub-Committees of the Bar Representation Committee:

Laura Gould - Chair

Self-employed barrister, practising in employment, commercial and sports law from Kings Chambers in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham.

Meet the Committee members

Elections

The BRC Election happens every year. All members of Hall, who have opted into email correspondence from the Inn, are eligible to nominate themselves, and vote for candidates.

In the past, we have received disturbing reports that at least one of the candidates for election was subject to intimidation by a group of members in an attempt to get that individual to withdraw their candidacy in favour of another person in the same category. The Inn takes very seriously any behaviour that it is intended or likely to block participation in our elections or that goes beyond normal campaigning and attempts to improperly influence the outcome of elections. As a result, the Committee have adopted rules for future BRC elections, for both candidates standing and voters.

We invite all members to have the courage to report to the Inn any concerns about the conduct of candidates, their supporters or other members at [email protected] in order that such ignominious conduct can be stopped and prevented in future. All reports will be examined, in confidence as far as possible and appropriate, and if determined to be well-founded may result in a number of measures, including but not limited to: exclusion from involvement in the Inn’s functions and activities and/or the Inn reporting the matter to the Bar Standards Board and other relevant regulatory authorities.

Individuals who feel that they have been subject to harassment or inappropriate conduct in connection with the activities of the Inn (or witnesses to the harassment of others) should also refer to the Inns of Court Anti-Harassment Policy. You can find further information on the Diversity and Inclusion webpage.

Congratulations to 2023’s successful candidates.

Representation on Bench Committees and other groups

At least one representative from the Bar Representation Committee (BRC) sits on each of the Inn’s Bench Committees. This ensures that issues that affect bar members are being raised.

You can view and download the Chair’s Report on 2022 activities from this page.

Committee or Organisation	BRC member(s)
Advisory (Benchers)	Zoë Barton KC Philip Bennetts KC Chris Loweth Timothy Lyons KC
Bar wine	to be filled by Chair on ad hoc basis
Chapel	Georgina Blower Maxwell Myers James Manning Emma Southern
Chattels	Rafey Altaf James Manning
Estates	Zoë Barton KC Edmund Burge KC
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion	Chris Loweth
Finance & General Purposes	Zoë Barton KC Dilpreet Dhanoa
Gardens	James Manning Rifat Rahman
Hospitality, Events and Dining	Tariq Mahmood George Payne Emma Southern
Investment	Dilpreet Dhanoa Timothy Lyons KC
Library	Imogen Sadler Tariq Mahmood James Manning
Planning and Development Group	Chair
Post-Call Education	Ben Hamer Alice Hawker Nadeem Holland
Pre-Call Education	Mohammad Pansota George Payne Amar Saeed Sheikh
Regulatory Panel	Timothy Lyons KC
Scholarships	Philip Bennetts KC Maxwell Myers Ayan Mustafa Memon
Staff	Ben Hamer Laureen Husain
Bar Council	TBC
Social Mobility Sub-Committee	Chairs: Chris Loweth Members: Brynmor Adams His Honour Judge Afzal CBE Honor Brocklebank-Fowler Edmund Burge KC Rabby Fozlay Nadeem Holland Elizabeth Isaacs KC Tariq Mahmood Susanna McGibbon Rifat Rahman
Social and Wellbeing Group (SWG)	Chairs: Laureen Husain & Linda Turnbull Members: Ben Hamer Nadeem Holland Emma Southern Julie Whitby The Venerable Sheila Watson
Junior Members Committee (JMC)	Chairs: Ben Hamer & Hazel Jackson Members: Leo Graves Craig Fahey Adam Kayani Maxwell Myers Rifat Rahman Imogen Sadler Olivia Waddell

Want to get involved?

An Annual General Meeting (AGM) of all members of Hall usually takes place in mid-November. In addition, members of Hall are very welcome to attend* the open section of an ordinary Committee meeting to observe. Meetings are usually organised hybrid, both at the Inn and via Zoom. Alternatively, we are happy to provide copies of minutes of meetings on request. You can request a copy by emailing [email protected]

* ‘To attend’ means to observe, e.g. there is no right to participate and you may be asked to leave at any time. Prior booking is essential, so please reserve your place by emailing the BRC Secretary via [email protected]

Meeting Dates

Meetings normally start at 5:30 pm. They usually take place in the Ashworth Centre and via Zoom.

2024

Monday 22 January
Tuesday 19 March
Wednesday 15 May
Wednesday 17 July
Monday 14 October
Wednesday 13 November
Tuesday 10 December

Committee Rules

The rules of Lincoln’s Inn Bar Representation Committee (BRC) can be found here. We have also adopted rules for BRC elections, for both candidates standing and voters. The election rules can be found here.