The Association was incorporated by the Barbados Bar Association Act of 1940. This Act stipulates the rules for the election of a Council which currently consists of 17 members, 5 of whom sit as the Executive. Currently, the Association comprises of approximately 1000 members.

The Association was established for the following purposes:

• To support and protect the character, status and interest of the Legal Profession
• generally and particularly attorneys-at-law practicing in Barbados;
• To promote honorable practice, and settle disputed points in practice;
• To maintain the honour and independence of the Bar and the defence of the Bar in
• relation to the judiciary and the executive;
• To improve the administration of justice and procedure and trial by jury;
• To establish and maintain a system of prompt and efficient legal advice and legal aid
• for those persons in need thereof;
• To promote and support law reform, law revision and law reporting;
• To settle questions of professional conduct, discipline and etiquette;
• To consider all questions affecting the interests of the profession and to initiate and
• watch over, and, where necessary, to petition the Parliament of Barbados or promote
• deputations in relation to general measures affecting the profession, and to procure
• changes of law or practice, and the promotion of improvements in the principles and
• administration of the law;
• To further good relations and understanding between the Bar and the public;
• To further good relations between the Bar and lawyers of other countries;
• To protect the public right of access to the courts and of representation by attorneys-at-
• law before the courts and tribunals;
• To sponsor such provident schemes as may be created for the benefit of its members
• and their defendants;
• To encourage the study of law and for that purpose the donation on such terms and
• conditions as may be prescribed by regulations, of scholarships, prizes or other
• rewards or distinctions;
• To promote information on legal subjects by lectures, discussions, books,
• correspondence with public bodies and individuals, or otherwise;
• To establish group insurance schemes for professional purposes.