*/
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has recommended that new rules on publishing fees should cover all self-employed barristers, in a bid to increase transparency for lay clients.
The proposal extends beyond the recommendations from the Competition and Markets Authority, which called for the publication of fees only for barristers conducting public access work.
In a paper, Response to the Competition and Market Authority’s recommendations, the BSB outlines two methods by which this could be done. Option one would be for self-employed barristers in chambers to provide individual price and service information on their chambers’ website. While option two, which the BSB prefers, would be for chambers to publish ‘blended price and service information’ on their websites for all of the barristers in their set, taking the form of price ranges, indicative fees for standard work, or average fees.
BSB Director of Strategy and Policy, Ewen Macleod, said: ‘There must be a balance between improving consumer understanding and genuinely promoting competition on the one hand, and not overburdening barristers and chambers or producing information overload for clients on the other.’
He said the BSB had outlined an approach that would achieve that balance, but said it is ‘open-minded about the best way forward.
The consultation closes on 5 January 2018, and the BSB will be holding meetings around the country to listen to the views of all interested parties.
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has recommended that new rules on publishing fees should cover all self-employed barristers, in a bid to increase transparency for lay clients.
The proposal extends beyond the recommendations from the Competition and Markets Authority, which called for the publication of fees only for barristers conducting public access work.
In a paper, Response to the Competition and Market Authority’s recommendations, the BSB outlines two methods by which this could be done. Option one would be for self-employed barristers in chambers to provide individual price and service information on their chambers’ website. While option two, which the BSB prefers, would be for chambers to publish ‘blended price and service information’ on their websites for all of the barristers in their set, taking the form of price ranges, indicative fees for standard work, or average fees.
BSB Director of Strategy and Policy, Ewen Macleod, said: ‘There must be a balance between improving consumer understanding and genuinely promoting competition on the one hand, and not overburdening barristers and chambers or producing information overload for clients on the other.’
He said the BSB had outlined an approach that would achieve that balance, but said it is ‘open-minded about the best way forward.
The consultation closes on 5 January 2018, and the BSB will be holding meetings around the country to listen to the views of all interested parties.
Now is the time to tackle inappropriate behaviour at the Bar as well as extend our reach and collaboration with organisations and individuals at home and abroad
A comparison – Dan Monaghan, Head of DWF Chambers, invites two viewpoints
And if not, why not? asks Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Marie Law, Head of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, discusses the many benefits of oral fluid drug testing for child welfare and protection matters
To mark International Women’s Day, Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management looks at how financial planning can help bridge the gap
Casey Randall of AlphaBiolabs answers some of the most common questions regarding relationship DNA testing for court
Maria Scotland and Niamh Wilkie report from the Bar Council’s 2024 visit to the United Arab Emirates exploring practice development opportunities for the England and Wales family Bar
Marking Neurodiversity Week 2025, an anonymous barrister shares the revelations and emotions from a mid-career diagnosis with a view to encouraging others to find out more
David Wurtzel analyses the outcome of the 2024 silk competition and how it compares with previous years, revealing some striking trends and home truths for the profession
Save for some high-flyers and those who can become commercial arbitrators, it is generally a question of all or nothing but that does not mean moving from hero to zero, says Andrew Hillier