Barbara Mills, KC (King's Counsel), a barrister originally from Ghana, is set to make history as the first black Vice Chair of the General Council of the Bar Council in the UK, which has a rich 129-year-old legacy, according to an announcement by the Bar Council.
Ms Mills will assume her new position on January 1, 2024, and will also become the first specialist family practitioner in 35 years to hold this role.
She was called to the Bar by Inner Temple in 1990 and attained the prestigious title of Queen's (now King's) Counsel in 2020.
In addition to her legal practice, Ms Mills is an arbitrator and a mediator, a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, and co-editor of the International Family Law Journal. Her expertise lies in handling challenging and intricate cases involving children, often with an international dimension.
During her membership in Circle Square, a community that celebrates individuals who have accomplished remarkable achievements, Ms Mills previously shared her journey from Ghana to the UK.
She spoke about the influence of her early years in Ghana, where a strong sense of family and belonging was instilled in her.
The move to England was prompted by the aftermath of a coup, which compelled her mother to seek a place of safety for her children.
Arriving in England, Ms Mills and her family felt both welcomed and like guests, embarking on a new life with only their essential belongings.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Ms Mills described her mother as an incredibly strong and courageous figure, driven by the necessity of raising her children alone in a foreign land.
Education held great importance in her mother's eyes, and she ensured that her children had access to the best educational opportunities, including assistance through private schools.
Ms Mills expressed her lifelong aspiration to become a barrister, a dream she pursued with determination and perseverance.
Currently serving as the joint head of chambers at 4PB, one of the prominent family law sets in England and Wales, Ms Mills holds the position of Deputy High Court Judge and has been a Recorder on the South Eastern Circuit for over a decade.
