Displaying 20400 results
Regulations E251-E253 - Delegation
rE251 The powers and functions conferred by these Regulations on a Directions Judge may be exercised by any other Judge or King's Counsel nominated by the President , including the Judge or King’s Counsel designated in the Convening Order as Chair of the Disciplinary Tribunal appointed to hear and determine the charge or charges against the respondent , if the Directions Judge is unable to act due to absence, or for any other reason. rE252 Any duty or function or step which, under these regulations, is to be discharged or carried out by the President may, if they are unable to act due to absence or to any other reason, be discharged or carried out by the Registrar of BTAS, ...
Guidance to Rules C65.7-C68
gC95 It is in the public interest that the Bar Standards Board , as an Approved Regulator , is made aware of, and is able to investigate, potential instances of serious misconduct. The purpose of Rules rC65.7 to rC69, therefore, is to assist the Bar Standards Board in undertaking this regulatory function. gC96 Serious misconduct includes, without being limited to: .1 dishonesty (CD3); .2 assault or harassment (CD3 and/or CD5 and/or CD8); It may also include serious instances of bullying (persistent, unwanted behaviour from a person or group that is either intimidating, malicious or insulting, or an abuse or misuse of power that undermines, humiliates, or causes physical or emotional harm to someone.) .3 seeking to gain access without consent ...
Regulations E139-E150 - The Disciplinary Tribunal - Composition of Disciplinary Tribunals
rE139 A Disciplinary Tribunal must consist of either three persons or five persons. rE140 A five-person panel must include the following persons nominated by the President : .1 as Chair, a Judge; and .2 two lay members ; and .3 two practising barristers of not less than seven years’ standing. rE141 A three-person panel shall include the following persons nominated by the President : .1 as Chair, a King’s Counsel or a Judge; and .2 one lay member ; and .3 one practising barrister of not less than seven years’ standing . rE142 With the exception of judicial Chairs, the persons nominated by the President to sit on a Disciplinary Tribunal must be selected from the pool appointed by the Tribunal ...
A1. The Bar Standards Board
I1 The Bar Standards Board is a specialist regulator focussing primarily on the regulation of advocacy, litigation and legal advisory services. These legal services have a close relationship to access to justice and the rule of law. Our society is based on a rule of law. Everyone needs to be able to seek expert advice on their legal rights and obligations and to have access to skilled representation in the event of a dispute or litigation. Our system of justice depends on those who provide such services acting fearlessly, independently and competently, so as to further their clients’ best interests, subject always to their duty to the Court. I2 The regulatory objectives of the Bar Standards Board derive from the ...
Code Guidance
From this page, you can download Code Guidance to assist you in complying with your obligations under the BSB Handbook. This includes Code Guidance on the Public Access Rules and Transparency Rules. Please note that the guidance on this webpage is current as per the date published on each document. We occasionally make changes to the webpage itself, which is reflected by the date in the bottom right of the webpage.
The BSB Handbook
The BSB Handbook contains the rules about how barristers must behave and work. It also contains the Code of Conduct for barristers.
BSB Handbook and Code Guidance
Access the BSB Handbook including the Code of Conduct for barristers, and read our Code Guidance.
Working with others
Learn more about how we work with our key stakeholders.
Waivers and exemptions form rules
On this page, you can find links to application forms and guidelines on waivers and exemptions from rules in the BSB Handbook, including those related to CPD, Public and Licensed Access, conducting litigation and the Qualified Person requirement.
Part 3 - B2. Provision of reserved legal activities and of legal services
rS16 You may only carry on reserved legal activities or supply other legal services in the following capacities: .1 as a self-employed barrister , subject to the limitations imposed by Section 3.B3; .2 as a BSB entity subject to the limitations imposed by Section 3.B4; .3 as a manager of a BSB entity or as an employed barrister (BSB entity) , subject to the limitations imposed by Section 3.B5; .4 as a manager of an authorised (non-BSB) body or as an employed barrister (authorised non-BSB body), subject to the limitations imposed by Section 3.B6; .5 as an employed barrister (non authorised body) , subject to the limitations imposed by Section 3.B7; or .6 as a registered European lawyer in any ...
Regulation E129 - Extent of powers to order directions
rE129 The Directions Judge or the Chair of the Disciplinary Tribunal designated in the Convening Order (or failing the Directions Judge or the Chair of the Disciplinary Tribunal , any other Judge nominated by the President ) may, at any stage, make such directions for the management of the case or the hearing as they consider will expedite the just and efficient conduct of the case.
Guidance to Rule C64
gC92 Your obligations under Rule rC64 include, for example, responding promptly to any request from the Bar Standards Board for comments or information relating to any matter whether or not the matter relates to you, or to another BSB regulated person or unregistered barrister . gC92A A notice under rC64.4 refers to a notice under any part of the Legal Services Act 2007, or the Legal Services Act 2007 (General Council of the Bar) (Modification of Functions) Order 2018. gC93 Removed from 15 June 2026.
Rule C65 - Duty to report certain matters to the Bar Standards Board
rC65 You must report promptly to the Bar Standards Board if: .1 you are charged with an indictable offence; in the jurisdiction of England and Wales or with a criminal offence of comparable seriousness in any other jurisdiction; .2 subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (as amended) you are convicted of, or accept a caution, for any criminal offence , in any jurisdiction, other than a minor criminal offence ; .3 you (or an entity of which you are a manager ) to your knowledge are the subject of any disciplinary or other regulatory or enforcement action by another Approved Regulator or other regulator, including being the subject of disciplinary proceedings; .4 you are a manager of a ...
Regulations E203-E219 - The sanction
rE203 If the Disciplinary Tribunal finds any of the charges or applications proved against a respondent , it may hear evidence of any previous: .1 finding of professional misconduct by a Disciplinary Tribunal or under the determination by consent procedure ; or .2 disqualification order; or .3 finding of a breach of proper professional standards by the Bar Standards Board or any other regulator .4 adverse finding on a charge consisting of a legal aid complaint; made in respect of the respondent , or, where the proved charge(s) concerns a BSB entity , in respect of that body or any person employed in the BSB entity directly implicated by the charges rE204 After hearing any representations by or on behalf of the respondent(s) , ...
Part 5 - A5. Appeals
rE54 An applicable person has a right to appeal from a decision to impose an administrative sanction . That appeal is to an appeal panel nominated by the President in the same composition as a three-person panel constituted under rE141 of the Disciplinary Tribunal Regulations . rE55 An appeal, if made, shall be made by the applicable person sending to the Commissioner, within 28 days of the imposition of the administrative sanction , a notice identifying the decision appealed against, the decision the applicable person contends for, the grounds of such appeal and a statement whether the applicable person requires their appeal to be disposed of at an oral hearing. If the applicable person does not expressly request an oral ...
C. Commencement and Transitional Provisions
rI12 This version (5.0) of the Handbook came into force on 15 June 2026 and replaced version 4.9 of the Handbook (which came into effect from 5 May 2026). rI13 Subject to rI14 below, in respect of anything done or omitted to be done or otherwise arising before 6 January 2014: .1 Parts 2 and 3 of this Handbook shall not apply; .2 the edition of the Code of Conduct or relevant Annexe in force at the relevant time shall apply; and .3 any reference to Part 2, Part 3 or Part 5 of this Handbook shall include reference to the corresponding Part of the edition of the Code of Conduct or relevant Annexe which was in force at the ...
Rules C99-C109 - Complaints rules
Complaints handling procedures rC99A .1 You must have a first-tier complaints handling procedure which: .a enables clients to make a complaint free of charge; .b is prominent and accessible; .c sets out the steps that will be taken in resolving a complaint ; .d explains how a complaint will be handled; .e provides information on the possible outcomes of a complaint ; .f is effectively communicated to each client in a format or formats reasonably tailored for the client’s circumstances, having due regard to their information needs; and .g makes provision for a client to be able to make a complaint in a way that is reasonable and accessible to the client . .2 You must ensure your first-tier complaints ...
Rules C8-C9 - Honesty, integrity and independence
rC8 You must not do anything which could reasonably be seen by the public to undermine your honesty, integrity (CD3) or independence (CD4). rC9 Your duty to act with honesty and with integrity under CD3 includes the following requirements: .1 you must not knowingly or recklessly mislead or attempt to mislead anyone; .2 you must not draft any statement of case, witness statement, affidavit or other document containing: .a any statement of fact or contention which is not supported by your client or by your instructions ; .b any contention which you do not consider to be properly arguable; .c any allegation of fraud, unless you have clear instructions to allege fraud and you have reasonably credible material which establishes ...
