Standards and Guidance

The Bar Standards Board through its Standards Committee is responsible for maintaining the Code of Conduct of the Bar of England and Wales, which provides the rules which all barristers must obey.

The general purpose of the Code is to provide the requirements to practise as a barrister and the rules and standards of professional conduct. The Bar Standards Board also issues guidance on the rules governing qualification and practice and conduct by barristers. Guidance usually relates to the application of particular provisions of the Code.

The Standards Committee is also responsible for other matters relating to professional standards, including the changing shape of the provision of legal services as a result of the Legal Services Act 2007, the review of the Code of Conduct and the operation of the Public Access Rules.

  Code of Conduct

  Equality and Diversity Code

  Bar Standards Board guidance

  Information about the Legal Services Act 2007

  Recent Code changes and guidance arising from the Legal Services Act 2007

  Information about Public Access

  Information about the review of the Code of Conduct

  Information about the work of the Standards Committee

  Bar Council guidance