It is unfortunate that the Government did not appoint any representative from the Bar Council to the newly constituted Judicial Appointments Commission (‘JAC’). The Bar has a legitimate interest to be involved in the appointment and promotion of judges. It is part of the wider duty of the Bar (a) to uphold the cause of justice without regard to its own interests or that of its members, uninfluenced by fear or favour; and (b) to protect and assist the public in all matters touching ancillary or incidental to the law (s 42(1)(a), (g), Legal Profession Act 1976).