Bar Standards Board (BSB)

Overview

The Bar Standards Board regulates the conduct of barristers and certain entities in England and Wales. It maintains the BSB Handbook, including the Code of Conduct for the Bar. It investigates misconduct and refers serious cases to the independent Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service.

What it handles

• Reports about barristers' professional conduct
• Investigations into BSB Handbook breaches
• Authorisation of self-employed and employed barristers
• Pupillage supervision standards

Process

1. Step 1: Report a concern

   The easiest way to report a concern about a barrister or regulated business is through the BSB's Online Reporting Form, including all supporting evidence.

2. Step 2: Initial assessment

   The BSB's Contact and Assessment Team checks the report relates to someone it regulates and assesses whether there is a potential breach of the BSB Handbook.

3. Step 3: Risk assessment & action

   Where a potential breach is identified, the BSB carries out a risk assessment and can refer the concern to its Investigation and Enforcement Team for a formal investigation.

4. Step 4: Assessment timeframe

   The BSB aims to complete an initial assessment of a concern within about eight weeks, contacting the reporter if more information is needed.

5. Step 5: Review of outcome

   The BSB won't review a decision simply because someone disagrees with it, but may reconsider it where there was a factual mistake, an incorrect application of the rules, or a serious procedural error.

Appeals

Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service (BTAS).

Official sources