The Bar Standards Board today welcomed the publication by the Bar Tribunals & Adjudication Service (BTAS) of a first consultation document proposing revisions to parts of the Sanctions Guidance which is used by Disciplinary Tribunals in deciding what sanctions to impose in cases of proven professional misconduct. The consultation document has been prepared by a Working Group made up of representatives of BTAS, lay and barrister members of the BTAS Disciplinary Tribunal panel and the BSB.
Welcoming the consultation document, Mark Neale, Director General of the BSB, said “I very much hope that all those with an interest in the sanctions which barristers face for professional misconduct will take part in this consultation. I am of course aware that there has been recent criticism of the sanctions imposed in cases of sexual misconduct but this review also covers a wider range of professional misconduct. It includes proposals to increase the indicative sanctions for some types of misconduct, including misconduct of a sexual nature. It is very important that the final Guidance commands the support of both the public and the profession.”
An update on the above consultation process was published by BTAS on 13 July 2021 on its website.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
About the BTAS Sanctions Review
BTAS is responsible for the appointment, operation, and decisions (including sentencing) of disciplinary tribunal panels under a Services Agreement between the BSB and the Council of the Inns of Court. The BSB is responsible for bringing charges of professional misconduct against barristers, which BTAS tribunals then adjudicate. The sanctions imposed are a matter for the tribunal having regard to BTAS Sanctions Guidance which is drawn up in collaboration between BTAS and the BSB.
Details of the Review can be found on the BTAS website.
About the Bar Standards Board
Our mission is to regulate barristers and specialised legal services businesses in England and Wales in the public interest. For more information about what we do visit: http://bit.ly/1gwui8t
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