Categories
Legal Analysis Legal Professionals

Council of the Inns of Court (COIC)

Council of the Inns of Court

The Council of the Inns of Court (COIC), established as a charitable organization in 2014, plays a pivotal role in the legal community of the United Kingdom by overseeing professional standards and advocacy training for barristers. Based in London, COIC operates under the aegis of four historic Inns of Court—Lincoln’s Inn, Inner Temple, Middle Temple, and Gray’s Inn, each of which has its roots deeply embedded in centuries of legal tradition.

Structure and Leadership

The COIC is governed by a board comprising distinguished members from the legal field, including Anne Sharp CBE, Greg Dorey CVO, Christopher Ghika KCVO CBE, Marion Smith KC, and Brigadier Stephen Cartwright OBE. This diverse leadership reflects the Council’s commitment to a broad spectrum of legal expertise and administrative oversight. The recent appointment of Andy Russell as the new Director of COIC in August 2024 marks a new chapter in its operational direction, following the commendable tenure of his predecessor, James Wakefield.

  • The Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Green (President)
  • Janet Bignell KC, Lincoln’s Inn
  • Anne Sharp CBE, Under Treasurer of Lincoln’s Inn
  • Judge Jill Frances, Inner Temple
  • Greg Dorey CVO, Sub-Treasurer of the Inner Temple
  • Chantal-Aimee Doerries KC, Middle Temple
  • Christopher Ghika KCVO CBE, Under Treasurer of Middle Temple
  • Marion Smith KC, Gray’s Inn
  • Brigadier Stephen Cartwright OBE, Under Treasurer of Gray’s Inn
Current Board members of the Council of the Inns of Court

Operational Arms

Under the COIC’s umbrella, two significant bodies operate:

  • The Bar Tribunal and Adjudication Service (BTAS): This entity manages the disciplinary proceedings for barristers. It’s responsible for ensuring that members of the bar adhere to the highest standards of professional conduct. Recent updates to the sanctions guidelines by BTAS reflect a meticulous review of disciplinary practices, aiming for consistency and fairness in legal accountability.
  • The Inns of Court College of Advocacy (ICCA): Committed to educational excellence, ICCA provides training not just for barristers but also for future legal professionals. Its focus on advocacy skills and professional ethics positions it as a hub for legal education, with initiatives like the ICCA Bar Course, which is validated by King’s College London, underscoring its academic rigor.

Mission and Impact

COIC’s mission is rooted in promoting the rule of law through advocacy excellence. By facilitating training, setting standards, and responding to legal consultations, COIC influences the broader legal landscape beyond the immediate confines of the Inns. Its efforts ensure that advocacy remains a cornerstone of justice, with a commitment to high ethical standards.

Founded by the Inns of Court, COIC works with them in strengthening the rule of law through excellence in professional and ethical education and in maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct. In practice this means that COIC will seek to promote:

• excellence in advocacy and professional knowledge
• ethical practice and integrity
• an accessible, diverse, and inclusive profession
• a collaborative profession.

Statement of purpose – Council of the Inns of Court

Historical Context and Cultural Significance

The Inns of Court, where COIC is deeply integrated, have historical ties not only to legal education but also to cultural and theatrical activities during the English Renaissance. This rich heritage underscores the COIC’s role not just as a regulatory body but as a custodian of legal tradition and culture.

The Council of the Inns of Court, through its structured governance, educational initiatives, and disciplinary oversight, continues to be a vital institution for the legal profession in the UK. Its operations ensure that the legal practitioners are not only well-trained but also held to a standard that upholds the integrity of the law.

As the COIC moves forward under new leadership, its role in shaping the future of advocacy and legal ethics remains as crucial as ever, maintaining the delicate balance between tradition and modernity in the legal world.

Check out our articles on Barristers, Direct Access Barristers, Inns of Court, Bar Standards Board, Bar Council, Law Society, Legal Services Board, Rule of Law, Lincoln’s Inn and the highly questionable Sussex Family Justice Board.

The Ministry of Injustice is not the Ministry of Justice nor is it affiliated in any way with the justice system, legal profession, police or any other law enforcement agencies.

Latest Articles ↓

Most Popular ↓

You should always seek formal legal advice from a qualified and reputable lawyer (solicitor or barrister).

There are a number of links to Free and Paid For Legal Resources and Legal Organisations on the Free Legal Advice , Legal Aid and Pro Bono pages.

[post_title] was last updated on the 9th June 2026

By Dom Watts

Dom Watts founded the Ministry of Injustice in July 2021. Dom is an IT Professional with 30+ years experience in Tier 1 Banking, Government, Defence, Healthcare and Global Blue Chips. Dom has no legal training and is not a lawyer but has previously consulted for a Magic Circle Law Firm. You can find Dom on X or Google.

Dom Watts publishes the Ministry of Injustice as a citizen journalist. The journalism exemption is detailed in the Data protection and journalism code of practice published by the ICO and Section 124 of the Data Protection Act 2018.

Section 2 of the Defamation Act 2013 sets out the defence of truth. Section 3 of the Defamation Act 2013 sets out the defence of honest opinion. Section 4 of the Defamation Act 2013 sets out the defence of public interest. Section 8 of the Defamation Act 2013 sets out the single publication rule.

Section 4a of The Limitation Act 1980 defines the time limit for actions for defamation or malicious falsehood as one year from the date on which the cause of action accrued.

Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 gives the right to freedom of expression. "This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers."

"Free speech encompasses the right to offend, and indeed to abuse another." - Para 43 Scottow v CPS [2020] EWHC 3421 (Admin)

"Free speech is a fundamental common law right" - Para 21 R v Shayler [2002] UKHL 11 [2003] 1 AC 247 per Lord Bingham and Para 42 Phillips -v- Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs [2024] EWHC 32 (Admin)

Dom is a member of The Free Speech Union

“A key issue here is the need to distinguish between conduct which, however objectionable, does not justify invoking the criminal law and conduct which crosses the line and results in criminal liability" - Para 31 R v O’Neill [2016] EWCA Crim 92 [2016]

“Harassment is generally understood to involve improper oppressive and unreasonable conduct that is targeted at an individual and calculated to produce alarm and distress” - Para 38 R v O’Neill [2016] EWCA Crim 92 [2016]

"The behaviour said to amount to harassment must reach a level of seriousness passing beyond irritations, annoyances....The gravity of the misconduct must be of an order which would sustain criminal liability" - Paras [40-44] Hayden v Dickenson [2020] EWHC 3291 (QB)

"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything"

In 2002 Dom Watts was an unlikely consumer champion. The dad of three from Croydon took on the power and might of Kodak – and won...Dom on BBC Working Lunch

Rule of Law - Open Justice - Policing By Consent