The BSB regulates individual barristers but we want, in partnership with the profession, to explore how we can support chambers to be more effective and consistent forces for high standards, for equality and inclusion, and for access to justice. There is much good practice out there – good practice in implementing the regulations we do make, but also in going beyond our rules. We are keen to share that good practice and through that, help others meet the expectations we set on chambers.
Roundtables 2022-2024
Under our three-year-Strategy, we are working more collaboratively with the profession and others in pursuing what we know are often common objectives.
As part of this work, our Chair Kathryn Stone OBE, along with our Director General, Mark Neale, set up a number of meetings around the Circuits between late 2022-early 2023 to meet Heads of Chambers. At these meeting we discussed the role of chambers in promoting standards, equality and access to justice and how we can consolidate and promote best practice in chambers’ oversight of standards, equality and access. We held meetings in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds and Newcastle.
The Board then considered the findings from these initial roundtables and set up a further series of roundtables between October 2023-April 2024 across all circuits to consult on our proposal to bring together BSB regulation as it applies to barristers in chambers. The Board is currently considering the feedback received at these roundtables and will then decide on how best to implement the proposals.
