Policy Analyst: Regulatory Affairs and Ethics

The Bar Council is the voice of the barrister profession in England and Wales. We lead, represent and support the Bar in the public interest, championing the rule of law and access to justice. Our nearly 18,000 members – self-employed and employed barristers – make up a united Bar that aims to be strong, inclusive, independent and influential.

The Bar Council is the governing body and the Approved Regulator for the Bar of England and Wales. It discharges its regulatory functions through the independent Bar Standards Board.

Regulatory affairs and ethics is a wide-ranging area of policy that also encompasses Anti Money Laundering (AML) and sanctions. The role sits within the policy team and involves working closely with barrister committee members and other legal sector organisations.

Ethics support is one of the most valued services delivered by the Bar Council to the Bar. You will lead the maintenance of a suite of online ethics guidance documents together with the Ethics Committee. You’ll be expected to contribute to Ethics Committee meetings and become involved in other aspects of its work, for example, producing consultation responses and organising ethics webinars. As an advisor you will answer telephone and written ethical and professional practice enquiries from barristers with reference to the Bar Standards Board Handbook. With time, you will be expected to assist with the training and mentoring of new ethics advisers.

You’ll be responsible for representing the Bar’s interests on (AML) and sanctions. This involves being the executive to the barrister led Anti Money-Laundering and Sanctions Working Groups and liaising with key stakeholders such as the Bar Standards Board and other UK Bar Associations.

There will also be opportunity for involvement in other regulatory work such as responding to regulatory consultations and developing evidence led policy. Regulation is a fast paced and exciting policy area that regularly throws up challenging issues that require research and collaboration with other teams and Bar leaders.

You should be degree qualified (or equivalent level of experience) and have experience of policy issues within a similar organisation, including drafting policies and dealing with consultation responses. You should also have experience in the field of professional regulation, some committee management experience and some knowledge of the legal sector. You must be highly organised, flexible and proactive with demonstrable experience of being able to master complex information and communicate it clearly in a variety of contexts. This role requires a minimum of two days per week in the office; located in High Holborn, London.

It is desirable for you to have a law degree and experience of service delivery in a membership organisation. Similarly, knowledge of any (or all) of the following would be an advantage: the Barristers’ profession, the BSB Handbook, the regulation of legal services and the money laundering and sanctions regulations and experience giving support on a telephone line.

In return the Bar Council offers excellent terms and conditions of employment, including:

• Up to 27 days annual leave
• Up to 12% employer’s pension contribution
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Life cover, and more

The Bar Council is Disability Confident. Candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for this role will be guaranteed an interview under this scheme.

Closing Date: Friday 3 July, 2026

Proposed Interview Date: Week Commencing 13 July, 2026

The independent, practicing Bar of England and Wales is more than 16,500 strong and plays a crucial role in upholding the principles of government accountability under law and vindication of legal rights through the courts.

A strong and independent Bar exists to serve the public. As specialists, independent advocates, barristers enable people to uphold their legal rights, often acting on behalf of the most vulnerable members of society.

The Bar makes a vital contribution to the efficient and effective operation of criminal and civil courts. It provides a pool of talent, from increasingly diverse backgrounds, from which a significant proportion of the judiciary is drawn, and on whose independence the rule of law and our democratic way of life depends.

Telephone: 020 7611 4699

Email: HRCentralMailbox@BarCouncil.org.uk