3 October 2014
It is a year since the Bar Standards Board (BSB) introduced
changes to the
Public Access rules. This means that Public Access barristers
who have not yet undertaken the required top-up training have 12
months left to do so otherwise they must cease to conduct Public
Access work.
The new training requirements were introduced following a review
of Public Access training that concluded that a new training regime
should be established to protect the interests of consumers.
A small number of existing Public Access barristers may be
eligible for a waiver from the top-up training, but they must apply
for this. Those most likely to be eligible for a waiver will be
able to demonstrate extensive experience of undertaking Public
Access work and legal aid cases involving vulnerable clients, as
well as the associated knowledge and understanding required.
It is also a year since junior barristers of fewer than three
years' practising experience have been able to undertake Public
Access work, provided they:
- complete the new Public Access training;
- have a "Qualified Person" (a Public Access barrister who is available to provide guidance to them) for Public Access work;
- maintain a log of Public Access cases they have dealt with, including any issues or problems which have arisen;
- make this log available, on request, to the BSB for review; and
- seek feedback from their Public Access clients on the service provided.
Public Access barristers of fewer than three years practising
experience must inform the BSB of their 'qualified person' for
Public Access work. They can do this by contacting the Records
Office on 0207 242 0934.
For more information about Public Access rules, including
details of Public Access training providers, please visit: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/publicaccess
or email us at [email protected].
Training providers
are listed here.
ENDS
About the Bar Standards Board
Our mission is to regulate the Bar so as to promote high standards
of practice and safeguard clients and the public interest. For more
information about what we do visit: http://bit.ly/1gwui8t
