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Barristers will find out in November if they can become managers or shareholders of Legal Disciplinary Practices (“LDPs”).
By then, the Bar Standards Board (“BSB”) will have analysed further research it commissioned into the regulatory implications of the new structures, which are being introduced under the Legal Services Act 2007.
It will decide whether barristers can be managers of LDPs, and what restrictions should apply; whether barristers can be shareholders; whether barristers can be both managers of LDPs and independent practitioners; whether barrister-only partnerships will be allowed; and whether barristers can practise through barrister-only companies and LLPs.
The BSB will then consult further on whether it should become a regulator of the new business structures, looking at the cost implications and the likely take-up by barristers. A Legal Services Board (“LSB”) spokesperson said: “We don’t comment on hypothetical questions, but nobody should be in any doubt about our commitment to the statutory objective of encouraging competition, which also bites on the Bar Council. “Removing anti-competitive restrictions, which fetter the creativity of barristers and chambers seems to us central in achieving that.”
It will decide whether barristers can be managers of LDPs, and what restrictions should apply; whether barristers can be shareholders; whether barristers can be both managers of LDPs and independent practitioners; whether barrister-only partnerships will be allowed; and whether barristers can practise through barrister-only companies and LLPs.
The BSB will then consult further on whether it should become a regulator of the new business structures, looking at the cost implications and the likely take-up by barristers. A Legal Services Board (“LSB”) spokesperson said: “We don’t comment on hypothetical questions, but nobody should be in any doubt about our commitment to the statutory objective of encouraging competition, which also bites on the Bar Council. “Removing anti-competitive restrictions, which fetter the creativity of barristers and chambers seems to us central in achieving that.”
Barristers will find out in November if they can become managers or shareholders of Legal Disciplinary Practices (“LDPs”).
By then, the Bar Standards Board (“BSB”) will have analysed further research it commissioned into the regulatory implications of the new structures, which are being introduced under the Legal Services Act 2007.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group
Modernising communication and collaboration at a leading Chancery set. A Zexi case study
How to build profile without compromising professional duties. By Naumaan Farooq, Co-Founder of Inked PR
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the role of cut-off levels, and the wider range of factors that must be considered when interpreting results for family court proceedings
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
A decade of reviews and research has disrupted accepted thinking in the search for causality. Suicides following abuse have overtaken domestic homicides. Is the law keeping up? Professor Susan Edwards KC (Hon) examines recent cases and the obstacles to successful prosecution
The case against judge-only justice – and why efficiency is not enough. By Professor Leslie Thomas KC
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Lauren Fullerton examines the how, what and why of setting up a second chambers base
