NewsBites - February 2012
Barrister complaints
The BSB’s Professional Conduct Department has released its third quarter report. The report covers the period from 1 July to 30 September 2011 and reveals a continuing rise in complaints against barristers by litigants in person. The total for 2011 now stands at 55 (with the fourth quarter figures still to come). This compares with a total of 19 in 2009 and seven in 2010. The report can be found on www.barstandardsboard.org.uk.
The BSB’s Professional Conduct Department has released its third quarter report. The report covers the period from 1 July to 30 September 2011 and reveals a continuing rise in complaints against barristers by litigants in person. The total for 2011 now stands at 55 (with the fourth quarter figures still to come). This compares with a total of 19 in 2009 and seven in 2010. The report can be found on www.barstandardsboard.org.uk.
Deech Re-Appointed
Baroness Deech has been re-appointed to the role of chair of the BSB for a further three years. Sir Geoffrey Nice QC has been re-appointed vice chair for a further year. The BSB will begin recruiting a new vice chair in the summer. Baroness Deech said: “Our immediate attention will be focused on our new equality and diversity rules, which cover anti-harassment policies, maternity and paternity leave and fair allocation of work, along with the introduction of the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates, a new Code of Conduct and Entity Regulation.”
Family Funds
More than three-quarters of publicly legally aided family law clients would lose public funding under the proposed legal aid cuts, a survey by family lawyers’ association Resolution has shown. Of those who took part, 57 per cent said at least half their cases involved a parent who risked losing contact with their children. 42 per cent of respondents said appropriate legal advice meant that at least half their cases settled without going to court.
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