This page explains when we can review a decision, when we cannot, and how to ask.

1. When we can review a decision

We can only review a decision if one or more of these four things have happened.

  1. We got an important fact wrong. Our decision was based on something that is factually incorrect, and that fact mattered to the outcome. 
  2. We applied the law or our own rules incorrectly. We used the wrong rule, or we used the right rule in the wrong way.
  3. We did not follow the right process. Something went wrong in the way we handled your report. This is about how we reached the decision, rather than the decision itself.
  4. There is new information we did not have before. Something has come to light that was not available when we made our decision, and it might have changed the outcome.

2. When we cannot review a decision

We cannot review a decision just because you disagree with it.

This is the most common reason we turn down review requests. We know it is hard to read. But if none of the four situations above applies to your case, asking for a review will not change the outcome.

If you are unhappy with how our staff treated you, rather than with the decision itself, that is a service complaint and follows a different route. Find out more. 

3. Check before you ask

Before you ask for a review, it helps to check three things.

  • Can you point to one of the four situations mentioned in section 1?
  • Can you explain what happened in your own case, rather than making general points about the law?
  • If you are relying on new information, is it genuinely new? Something you have already sent us does not count.

If you can answer yes to the above questions, please go ahead and complete the form.

4. If you need help

You can ask a friend, relative, adviser or support organisation to help you. You can also use tools that help you write, such as speech-to-text software. What matters to us is that the form explains your situation in a way we can understand. If we have already agreed adjustments with you, we will apply them here too.

Using AI

You can use AI tools to help you write this form. Many people use them to organise their thoughts, to check spelling and grammar, or because writing is difficult for them. You will not be penalised for using them.

But please check what they produce before you send it. We receive requests that are long and confident but do not describe what actually happened in the person’s own case. Some contain rules, dates or events that are not accurate. That does not make a request stronger. It usually makes it harder for us to see why the decision was wrong, and it can slow your review down.

We are interested in what happened to you. Before you send the form, check that:

  • everything in it is accurate
  • it describes your own case, rather than making general points about the law
  • it explains which of the four reasons applies to you, and why

5. The full policy

There's no need to read the full BSB28 Policy to request a review. We've summarised everything you need on this page to guide you through the process. If you'd like to explore the full policy, simply click the button below to learn more.

Read BSB28

6. How to ask for a review

Simply complete the form below.

Put all the information you want us to consider into this one form. You do not need a lawyer to help you. If we need any supporting documents, we will let you know.

Read the instructions before completing the form. The form contains four sections, each for a different type of review. Only fill in the section that applies to you. Most people only need to complete one section. You can write up to 3,500 characters (about 550 words). The form should take about 30 minutes to complete.

Section 1: Your details

Your case reference number is at the top of the letter or email we sent to you about our decision and should look like 2026/1234 .



Why do you think the decision was wrong?

There are four boxes below. Fill in only the ones that apply to you. Most people fill in one. Leave the others blank. You will not be marked down for it.

In each box you use, tell us what happened and why it made a difference to the decision.

For example: "Your decision says my barrister was not at the hearing on 3 March. They were there. I have the court list."

For example: "Your decision looked at whether my barrister was rude to me. My complaint was that they acted for someone whose interests conflicted with mine, which is a different rule."
For example: "I sent you my evidence on 5 June, but your decision says you never received it, so it was never considered."

For example: "A witness who was not willing to speak to me before has now agreed to give a statement."

7. What happens next

We aim to email you within 5 working days to confirm that we have received and logged your form.

Your review will be carried out by a senior member of our staff who was not involved in the original decision. If your case is more complex, it may go to an Independent Reviewer, who works outside the Bar Standards Board.

Reviews are currently taking up to 12 weeks. We will not be able to give you progress updates during this time. We will contact you as soon as we have a decision, or sooner if we need to ask you something.