Consultations & responses

The following is a list of links to our past consultations which are now closed. Where indicated, you can also read our summary of the responses we received and any subsequent BSB decisions.

November 2024- On 3 September 2024 we launched a public consultation on new rules to promote equality, diversity and inclusion at the Bar. The public consultation closed on Friday 29 November. You can access the full consultation document on our website as well as an FAQ document and a webinar.

January 2024 - we launched a consultation to seek views on our proposed approach to revising the definition of academic legal training and to dealing with consequential waivers and exemptions.

October 2023 -  We issued a consultation document seeking views on our regulatory expectations of chambers.

June 2023 - We issued a consultation seeking views on proposed changes which would widen BSB powers and those of Disciplinary Tribunals to issue interim suspensions. In December 2023 the BSB published a summary of responses to the consultation, and the BSB’s response.

December 2022 - In conjunction with the Bar Council, we published a short consultation paper seeking views on our proposals for the Practising Certificate Fee (PCF) rates for 2023-24.

July 2022 - we published a consultation paper seeking views on our proposed approach to the regulation of non-professional conduct and on barristers’ use of social media. Simultaneously, interim Social Media Guidance was published, which will be updated following the consultation. You can read the summary of consultation responses online.

February 2022 - we published a consultation paper seeking views on a proposal to amend our Minimum Terms of Cover for Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) to clarify the expected level of cover provided by professional indemnity insurers to barristers in the event of cyber incidents such as errors and omissions in, and the failure and unavailability of, a computer system.

October 2021 - we published a consultation paper seeking views on our strategic priorities and aims for the next three-year period starting in April 2022.

September 2021- we published a consultation paper where we outlined three possible options for the future of the BCAT as a prerequisite for students enrolling on a Bar training course.

Alongside the consultation paper, we also published an evaluation of the performance of the BCAT over time which has prompted us to review whether the BCAT continues to be necessary. The Consultation closed on 31 October 2021. 

November 2020 - Consultation on Practising Certificate Fees (PCF) for 2021-22

In conjunction with the Bar Council, we published a short consultation paper seeking views on our proposals for the Practising Certificate Fee (PCF) rates for 2021-22. 

We welcomed views on the proposal not to increase PCF and the budget for 2021/22.

October 2019 - Barristers supervising immigration advisers - Rule change consultation October 2019

We sought views on a possible rule change to the BSB Handbook, which sets out the regulatory obligations on barristers.

The rule change would prohibit barristers from supervising immigration advisers who have received certain sanctions from the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC – the regulator of immigration advice and services), an approved legal services regulator, or a designated professional body. This consultation closed on 8 November 2019.

Summary of responses to the consultation.

May 2019 - Engagement Programme – Pupillage Gateway Timetable and Written Agreements for Pupillage 

• Our response to the Engagement Programme (published January 2020)
• The decisions we made (published January 2020)

December 2018 - Consultation on fees and charges for the authorisation and supervision of Authorised Education and Training Organisations (AETOs) by the Bar Standards Board 

• Supplementary Note to the above consultation (Published on 6 February 2019)
• Analysis of consultation responses and decisions of the Board in March 2019

September 2018 Response to the Competition and Markets Authority's Recommendations

• Introduction to the guidance
• Mandatory transparency rules for all self-employed barristers, chambers and BSB entities
• Additional transparency rules for those undertaking Public Access work
• Checklists to help with compliance, and information about the BSB's supervision and enforcement strategy
• Additional best practice on transparency for all (which goes beyond the mandatory rules)
• Annexes, including examples of required transparency for certain Public Access services
• Summary of responses to the above consultation.

We are often consulted by government and other organisations on matters affecting or having the potential to affect the regulation of barristers. Our responses to such consultations can be found here.