Source: http://handbook.barstandardsboard.org.uk/handbook/part-1/
Timestamp: 2018-05-27 11:41:45
Document Index: 37392353

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 3', 'art 5', 'art 3', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'arts 2', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 3']

Part 1 - bsb
Search the handbook	Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
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Highlight type of practice
All BSB regulated persons
Unregistered Barristers authorised by other approved regulators
Self employed Barristers
Employed Barristers (BSB authorised bodies)
Employed Barristers (authorised non-BSB bodies)
BSB Regulated managers
Authorised (non-BSB) individuals
C Commencement and Transitional Provisions
Part 2 The Code of Conduct
B The Core Duties
C The Conduct Rules
D Rules applying to Specific Groups of Regulated Persons
Part 3 Scope of Practice and Authorisation Rules, Authorisation and Licensing Rules
B Scope of Practice Rules
C The Practising Certificate Rules
D The Registration of European Lawyers Rules
E Entity Application and Authorisation
F Ongoing Compliance with the Authorisation and Licensing Requirements
Part 4 Qualification Rules
B The Bar Training Rules
C The CPD Rules
Part 5 Enforcement Regulations
A The Complaints Regulations
B The Disciplinary Tribunals Regulations 2017
C The Interim Suspension and Disqualification Regulations
D The Fitness to Practise Regulations
E Interventions and Divestiture
Part 6 Definitions
The BSB Handbook has set the standards of conduct for barristers since 2014. It serves as the key regulatory tool through which we can ensure the effective administration of justice is served. Barristers are central to the justice system, and clients depend upon their independence and ability to present their case fearlessly and effectively whilst providing a high standard of service.
The Handbook is drafted to be accessible for barristers, users of barristers’ services and the general public. We hope that the Handbook allows consumers to understand what to expect from barristers as well as providing clarity about the regulatory regime with which barristers must comply.
The Handbook also ensures that clients of barristers’ services receive the same level of protection and service regardless of the vehicle through which that service is provided. We now regulate a range of entities, including some alternative business structures. The Handbook ensures the public can be confident that the same standards apply to these different business structures as well as individual barristers.
This new version of the Handbook continues the process of removing unnecessary prescription, where such restrictions are no longer in the interest of clients or the wider regulatory objectives. In particular, we have streamlined some of the requirements in relation to public and licensed access and made the relevant rules more outcomes-focused in a way which is consistent with the rest of the Handbook. This new version also includes new rules allowing us to collect information on practice area. In particular, we want to know who is undertaking youth court work and to ensure compliance with new anti-money laundering regulations. This information should also allow us to target our regulation more effectively in the future to those areas where it is most needed.
Last year, we decided not to implement the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA), but the QASA rules remain in this version of the Handbook, pending the approval of the Legal Services Board for their removal. We remain committed to ensuring that the Bar is providing the quality of service that the public expects. But we want to create a supportive regulatory framework that helps the profession to manage its own professionalism and standards while of course maintaining clear arrangements to address instances of poor practice or non-compliance.
Chair of the BSB
A1 - The Bar Standards Board
supporting the constitutional principles of the rule of law;
promoting competition in the provision of the services;
increasing public understanding of the citizen's legal rights and duties; and
promoting and maintaining adherence to the following professional principles:
that authorised persons act with independence and integrity;
that authorised persons maintain proper standards of work;
that authorised persons act in the best interests of their clients;
.d -
that authorised persons comply with their duty to the court to act with independence in the interests of justice; and
that the affairs of clients are kept confidential.
The BSB Handbook ("this Handbook" or "the Handbook") sets out the standards that the Bar Standards Board requires the persons it regulates to comply with in order for it to be able to meet its regulatory objectives .
Although the Handbook is drafted with specific reference to those regulated by the BSB and for use by them, the Handbook should also act as a useful reference tool for all consumers of legal services regulated by the Bar Standards Board . In particular, the Core Duties and the outcomes set out in Part 2 of this Handbook should give consumers a useful indication of what they should expect from the Bar Standard Board's regulatory frameworkand those subject to it.
A2 - Structure of the Handbook
Part 1 - Introduction;
Part 2 – The Code of Conduct –this part includes the ten Core Duties which underpin the Bar Standards Board's entire regulatory framework, as well as the rules which supplement those Core Duties. Compliance with both the Core Duties and the rules is mandatory. The Code of Conduct also contains details of the outcomes which compliance with the Core Duties and the rules is designed to achieve. The Bar Standards Board's approach to regulation is risk-focused and so these outcomes have been defined by considering the risks which the profession needs to manage if the regulatory objectives are to be achieved;
Part 3 – Scope of Practice and Authorisation and Licensing Rules - this part includes the requirements that must be met to become entitled to practise as a barrister or a registered European lawyer and the process that must be followed in order to obtain authorisation to practise as a BSB entity . It also provides a summary of the scope of activities that each type of BSB authorised person is permitted to undertake;
Part 4 – Qualification Rules –this part sets out the training which a person must complete, and other requirements which a person must satisfy, in order to be called to the Bar by an Inn and become qualified to practise as a barrister . It also includes details of the training requirements that BSB authorised persons are required to meet;
Part 5 – Enforcement Regulations –this part sets out the enforcement procedures that apply if the applicable persons fail to act in accordance with the requirements of this Handbook ;
Part 6 - Definitions –this part defines all the italicised terms used in this Handbook .
Core Duties - These underpin the entire regulatory framework and set the mandatory standards that all BSB regulated persons or unregistered barrister are required to meet. They also define the core elements of professional conduct. Disciplinary proceedings may be taken against a BSB regulated person or unregistered barristers if the Bar Standards Board believes there has been a breach by that person of the Core Duties set out in this Handbook and that such action would be in accordance with the Enforcement Policy.
The Outcomes - These explain the reasons for the regulatory scheme and what it is designed to achieve. They are derived from the regulatory objectives as defined in the LSA and the risks which must be managed if those objectives are to be achieved. They are not themselves mandatory rules, but they are factors which BSB regulated persons or unregistered barristers should have in mind when considering how the Core Duties, Conduct Rules or Qualification Rules (as appropriate) should be applied in particular circumstances. The Bar Standards Board will take into account whether or not an Outcome has, or might have, been adversely affected when considering how to respond to alleged breaches of the Core Duties, Conduct Rules or Qualification Rules.
The Rules – The Rules serve three purposes:
The Conduct Rules supplement the Core Duties and are mandatory. Disciplinary proceedings may be taken against a BSB regulated person or unregistered barrister if the Bar Standards Board believes there has been a breach by that person of the Conduct Rules set out as applying to them in Part 2 of this Handbook and that it would be in accordance with the Enforcement policy to take such action. However, the Conduct Rules are not intended to be exhaustive. In any situation where no specific Rule applies, reference should be made to the Core Duties. In situations where specific Rules do apply, it is still necessary to consider the Core Duties, since compliance with the Rules, alone, will not necessarily be sufficient to comply with the Core Duties;
The Rules contained within “Scope of Practice Rules” set out the requirements for authorisation and the scope of practice for different kinds of BSB authorised person and include some rules relevant to unregistered barristers. These rules are mandatory;
The rest of Part 3 and Part 4 set out the requirements which must be met by a person before they may undertake a specific role within those regulated by the Bar Standards Board. If a person fails to meet those requirements, they will not be permitted to undertake that role by the Bar Standards Board . Where requirements are continuing and a BSB regulated person or unregistered barrister fails to meet such requirements which are relevant to that BSB regulated person or unregistered barrister, the Bar Standards Board may take steps in accordance with Part 3 or Part 5 to have that BSB regulated person or unregulated barrister prevented from continuing within that role.
Guidance serves a number of purposes:
To assist in the interpretation and application of the Core Duties or Rules to which such Guidance relates.
To provide examples of the types of conduct or behaviour that the Rules are intended to encourage or which would likely indicate compliance with the relevant Rule or, conversely, which may constitute non-compliance with the Rule to which such Guidance relates.
.iii -
To explain how the Rule applies to a particular type of person or unregistered barrister and how that particular person could comply with that Rule.
To act as a signpost to other rules or to guidance on the Bar Standard's Board website or elsewhere which may be relevant when considering the scope of the Rule.
In Part 3, to give further information about the process of applying for authorisation and about how the Bar Standards Board intends to exercise its discretionary powers in relation to the authorisation of entities.
The Guidance set out in this Handbook is not the only guidance which is relevant to BSB regulated persons and unregistered barristers. In addition to the Guidance, the Bar Standards Board has published and will publish from time to time various guidance on its website which supplements this Handbook , including (but not limited to):
the Pupillage Handbook; and
The BSB’s Supporting Information on the BSB Handbook Equality Rules.
In carrying out their obligations or meeting the requirements of this Handbook, BSB regulated persons and unregistered barristers must have regard to any relevant guidance issued by the Bar Standards Board which will be taken into account by the Bar Standards Board if there is an alleged breach of or otherwise non-compliance with of the obligations imposed on a BSB regulated person or unregistered barrister under this Handbook . Failure to comply with the guidance will not of itself be proof of such breach or non-compliance but the BSB regulated person or unregistered barrister will need to be able to show how the obligation has been met notwithstanding the departure from the relevant guidance.
Regulations – Part 5 of this Handbook sets out the regulations which bind the Bar Standards Board when it considers alleged breaches of the Handbook and subsequent enforcement action. These Regulations also bind, the various Tribunals and panels referred to in that Part and all persons who are subject to the enforcement process. When considering enforcement action under Part 5, the Bar Standards Board’s response to any alleged breach of or non-compliance with the Core Duties or the Rules will be informed by the impact of the alleged breach or non-compliance on the achievement of the relevant Outcomes, as well by as its own Supervision and Enforcement Policies and any other policies published from time to time which the Bar Standards Board regards as relevant (taking into account the nature of the alleged breach or non-compliance).
A3 - Amendments to the Handbook
rI1 -
Subject to Rules I1 and I2, the Bar Standards Board may make amendments and/or additions to this Handbook by resolution and any such amendments and/or additions will take effect on such date as the Bar Standards Board appoints or, if no such date is appointed, on the date when notice of the amendment is first published on the Bar Standard Board's website following approval under Schedule 4 of the Legal Services Act 2007.
rI2 -
The Bar Standards Board has no power without the unanimous consent of the Inns to amend or waive Rule Q4.1 or this Rule so as to permit a person who has not been called to the Bar by an Inn to practise as a barrister.
rI3 -
Removed from 1 November 2017
rI4 -
A4 - Waivers
rI5 -
the duty imposed on a BSB regulated person or unregistered barrister to comply with the provisions of this Handbook ; or
any other requirement of this Handbook ,
in such circumstances and to such extent as the Bar Standards Board may think fit and either conditionally or unconditionally.
rI6 -
rI7 -
all barristers, that is to say:
barristers who hold a practising certificate in accordance with Section 3.C ("practising barristers");
barristers who are undertaking either the first non-practising six months of pupillage or the second practising six months of pupillage , or a part thereof and who are registered with the Bar Standards Board as a pupil ("pupils"); and
all other barristers who do not hold a practising certificate but who have been called to the Bar by one of the Inns and have not ceased to be a member of the Bar ("unregistered barristers"),
European lawyers registered as such by the Bar Council and by an Inn in accordance with Section 3.D but only in connection with professional work undertaken by them in England and Wales ("registered European lawyers");
bodies which have been authorised or licensed by the Bar Standards Board in accordance with Section 3.E of this Handbook ("BSB entities");
individuals who are authorised to provide reserved legal activities by another Approved Regulator where such individuals are employed by a BSB authorised person (" authorised (non-BSB) individuals ");
all managers of BSB entities;
to the extent that this Handbook is expressed to apply to them in their capacity as such, owners of a BSB entity ;
solely as regards provisions in this Handbook relating to disqualification from performing a relevant activity or relevant activities and not otherwise, any non-authorised individuals who are employed by a BSB authorised person ; and
solely as regards Section 4.B of the Handbook , students and approved training organisations.
and persons within paragraphs rI7.1 to 7 (with the exception of pupils undertaking the first six months of pupillage, unregistered barristers and owners) are referred to as " BSB regulated persons " throughout this Handbook . For the purposes of Part 5 of the Handbook these persons (and those who are no longer BSB regulated persons or unregistered barristers but who were at the time when any conduct was complained of) are referred to as “applicable persons”. For the avoidance of doubt, the Handbook continues to apply to those who are subject to suspension.
rI8 -
If you are a BSB authorised individual who is employed by or a manager of an authorised (non-BSB) body and is subject to the regulatory arrangements of the Approved Regulator of that body, and the requirements of that other Approved Regulator conflict with a provision within this Handbook then the conflicting provision within this Handbook shall not apply to you. You will instead be expected to comply with the requirements of that other Approved Regulator and, if you do so, you will not be considered to be in breach of the relevant provision of this Handbook .
rI9 -
the pupil of an employed barrister (non-authorised body); or
the pupil of a manager or employee of a BSB entity ; or
the pupil of a manager or employee of an authorised (non-BSB) body ; or
spending a period of external training with a BSB entity or an authorised (non-BSB) body;
this Handbook will apply to you as though you were an employee of the barrister's employer or the body concerned.
rI10 -
If you are a registered European lawyer , then, except where otherwise provided, the provisions of this Handbook which apply to barristers shall apply to you, in connection with all professional work undertaken by you in England and Wales, as if you were a self-employed barrister or an employed barrister (non-authorised body or a manager or employee of an authorised (non BSB) body or a manager or employee of a BSB entity (as the case may be) depending on the way in which you practise.
rI11 -
C - COMMENCEMENT AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
rI12 -
This third edition of the Handbook came into force on 03 April 2017 and replaced the second edition of the Handbook (which came into effect from 30 April 2015).
rI13 -
Parts 2 and 3 of this Handbook shall not apply;
the edition of the Code of Conduct or relevant Annex in force at the relevant time shall apply; and
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 Annex which was in force at the relevant time.
rI14 -
a matter is being dealt with under The Disciplinary Tribunal Regulations 2014 as at 1 November 2017; or Annex J (The Complaints Rules 2011), Annex K (The Disciplinary Tribunals Regulations (2009) (Reissued 1 February 2012)), Annex M (Hearings before the Visitors Rules), Annex N (Interim Suspension Rules) or Annex O (Fitness to Practise Rules) as at 6 January 2014; or
anything done or omitted to be done or otherwise arising before 6 January 2014 required referral for consideration in accordance with any of the above Annexes,
then Part 5 of this Handbook shall apply to all such cases and any step taken pursuant to the Annexes then applying (if any) shall be regarded, unless otherwise decided, as having been taken pursuant to the equivalent provisions of Part 5 of this Handbook, save that no fine in excess of £15,000 may be imposed by a Disciplinary Tribunal in respect of conduct before 6 January 2014 and no financial administrative sanction in excess of £300 may be imposed by the PCC in respect of conduct before 6 January 2014.
D - INTERPRETATION
rI15 -
words and phrases in italics shall have the meaning given to them in Part 6;
any reference to the singular shall include the plural and vice versa;
any reference to another provision in this Handbook shall be a reference to that provision as amended from time to time; and
where references are made to an enactment, it is a reference to that enactment as amended, and includes a reference to that provision as extended or applied by or under any other enactment.
Part 3 SCOPE OF PRACTICE AND AUTHORISATION AND LICENSING RULES