The family silk’s term in office begins with an immediate triple-entry in the history books. She is the first black woman and the first person of colour to hold the role, as well as leading the first all-female officer team of Vice-Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC and Treasurer Lucinda Orr.
‘This is the first time in the Bar Council's 131-year history that all three of its office holders are women,’ Mills said.
‘As for my personal priorities for the year, I wish to make progress on three broad areas. I intend to raise the profile of family law and to help the government in its mission to halve violence against women and girls.
‘Secondly, to pass on the benefits of respecting our wellbeing enough to make it a skill and a core part of effective practice management as a barrister. Finally, I want to ensure we make further strides in our pursuit of equality, diversity and inclusion.’
Mills (pictured) was called to the Bar by Inner Temple in 1990 and took silk in 2020, specialising in complex child cases. She is an international family mediator and arbitrator, and has trained arbitrators across multiple jurisdictions. She serves as a Deputy High Court Judge and has been a Recorder on the South Eastern Circuit for more than a decade.
Charles Hale KC, joint head of 4PB, said: ‘Barbara will bring her unique qualities to the role of chair; a relentless work ethic combined with real empathy, steel and an innate understanding of acting in the public interest.
‘Barbara is the first specialist family practitioner in 35 years (since Sir Robert Johnson), to hold the post of Chair. I am excited for what her term will bring.’
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