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The Professional Conduct Department works under the authority of the Professional Conduct Commitee (formerly the Complaints Committee). We investigate complaints and, where appropriate, assist the Committee in taking action against barristers who have breached the Code of Conduct.
The staff in the Professional Conduct Department have extensive experience in dealing with complaints and professional discipline, having collectively clocked up between them over 100 years experience in these fields. The department includes a number of lawyers, as well as staff who have worked in Ombudsman's services and in similar departments within other professional regulators.
Our main aims are to:
• act in the public interest • protect the public and other consumers of legal services • maintain the high standards of the Bar • promote confidence in the complaints and disciplinary process, and • make sure that complaints about conduct are dealt with fairly, consistently and with reasonable speed.
Our objectives are to:
• Deal with complaints made against barristers promptly, thoroughly and fairly; • Ensure appropriate disciplinary action is taken against barristers who breach the Code of Conduct; and • Be open, fair, transparent and accessible.
Head of Professional Conduct
Sara Down
Assessment Team
We are responsible for the initial assessment of all complaints, regardless of whether they are received from an external source or raised internally by the BSB. We also deal with enquiries from the public and run the telephone Information Line. Our main objective is to ensure that the initial assessment is carried out promptly to decide whether a complaint should be referred for formal investigation.
Assessment Team Manager Adrian Turner
Assessment Officers Catherine Mitchell
Natalya Browning
Professional Conduct Assistants (Assessment Team) Kami Bramley
Lyn Rogan
Investigations and Hearings Team
We are responsible for carrying out all investigations of complaints and, where there is sufficient evidence, taking complaints through to disciplinary action following a referral by the Committee or, in some cases, referral by senior staff.
Investigations and Hearings Team Manager Bhavna Patel
Casework Supervisors Robert Burn
Ambika Lall
Senior Case Officers Fredelinda Telfer
David Abrahams
Case Officers Michael Carter
Cindy Ashworth
Jonathan Smith
Gursharon Athwal
Administration Supervisor Lesley Shepherd
Professional Conduct Assistants (I&H Team) Michelle Scanlon
Kathryn Camp
Heena Pindoria
Operational Support Team
We are responsible for non-casework and department wide functions. Our responsibilities include administration of the Professional Conduct Committee, policy and project work, performance reporting, database management and website updates.
Operational Support Team Manager Dermot Morrow
Policy and Projects Officer Sian Mayhew
Reports and Data Analysis Officer Paul Martyn
Professional Conduct Assistants (Operational Support) Rehana Meghji
Hazel Walker
Aysha Jeetooa
