Practice Toolset

The Bar’s future as a referral profession has been secured, but consider the impact if the nature of those who refer work changes, warns Stephen Mayson.  

The Bar Council was rightly proud of its response and effective lobbying as the Legal Services Bill made its passage through Parliament. As a result, the Bar seems to emerge relatively unscathed now that the Legal Services Act 2007 (LSA 2007) is with us. Indeed, the Perceptions of Barristers survey commissioned by the Bar Standards Board of the Bar’s “stakeholders” found a high level of satisfaction, with barristers seen as competent, highly qualified and dedicated, and whose advocacy skills set them apart (see Counsel, January 2008, p 4 and March 2008, p 24). 

The disparity between BVC and pupillage intake is one of the issues to be addressed in a major review, explains Dr John Carrier.  

The different stages of education at the Bar—academic, vocational, pupillage and CPD—need to be approached in an holistic way, and for that reason, Derek Wood QC, fresh from having chaired the Review of the Bar Vocational Course (BVC),  has agreed to the request of the Bar Standards Board (BSB) that he lead a major review of pupillage.