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Who we are and what we do 

We are the Bar Standards Board, we are also known as the BSB.  

We are responsible for regulating barristers, meaning that we set the standards of behaviour expected from barristers, and can take action where we need to if those standards aren’t being met. 

Once they have been called to the bar all barristers have to follow the BSB Handbook. This is the case regardless of where they work or the area of law that they specialise in. 

How we regulate

The Code of Conduct in the BSB Handbook sets down how barristers are expected to behave towards you. 

If you are the client of a solicitor and they have appointed a barrister to work on your case, the barrister still has to behave in the right way towards you. 

All self-employed barristers must have professional indemnity insurance. 

What you can expect us to do

As the regulator of barristers and entities in England and Wales. We work in the public interest, overseeing barristers and their work. This means we:

  • work to make sure barristers follow our rules and meet our high standards.
  • protect people when they use a barrister.
  • work to make barristers' services accessible and affordable.

You can

We will be open and accountable about

  • what we can do for you.
  • what you can expect from us.
  • how we come to the disciplinary and policy decisions we make.
  • what to do if you are not happy with any element of how we have dealt with you or any decision we have made.