Historic Liberalisation of Permitted Practice at the Bar

The Bar Council has reported that significant changes to the code of conduct have been made by the Legal Services Board.

In particular there has been a significant extension to the public access scheme to widen the work permitted to include family, criminal and immigration work.  Barristers are now also permitted to engage in correspondence.

Other changes to the code mean that barristers are now able to:

• Become managers of Legal Disciplinary Practices (LDPs)
• Work in partnerships
• Work in both a self-employed capacity and employed capacity at the same time (although not in the same case)
• Hold shares in LDPs 
• Share premises and office facilities with others
• Investigate and collect evidence and witness statements
• Attend police stations
• Conduct correspondence

06.04.2010