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.

Responsibilities

• Lead the maintenance of a suite of online ethics guidance documents together with the Ethics Committee.
• Contribute to Ethics Committee meetings and become involved in other aspects of its work, such as producing consultation responses and organising ethics webinars.
• Answer telephone and written ethical and professional practice enquiries from barristers with reference to the Bar Standards Board Handbook.
• Assist with the training and mentoring of new ethics advisers.
• Represent the Bar’s interests on AML and sanctions, being the executive to the barrister led Anti Money‑Laundering and Sanctions Working Groups.
• Liaise with key stakeholders such as the Bar Standards Board and other UK Bar Associations.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified (or equivalent level of experience) with experience of policy issues within a similar organisation, including drafting policies and dealing with consultation responses.
• Experience in the field of professional regulation, some committee management experience and some knowledge of the legal sector.
• Highly organised, flexible and proactive with demonstrable experience of mastering complex information and communicating it clearly in a variety of contexts.
• Minimum of two days per week in the office; located in High Holborn, London.
• Desirable to have a law degree and experience of service delivery in a membership organisation.
• Knowledge of the Barristers’ profession, the BSB Handbook, the regulation of legal services and the money laundering and sanctions regulations would be an advantage.
• Experience giving support on a telephone line.

Benefits

• 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