Legal Personnel: Barristers

Question 1

How many barristers are in England and Wales?

Answer 1

12,700

Question 2

What are barristers?

Answer 2

Self-employed

Question 3

What do barristers focus on?

Answer 3

Advocacy

Question 4

How many barristers are employed by organisations such as the CPS?

Answer 4

3,000

Question 5

Who are barristers controlled by?

Answer 5

General Council of the Bar

Question 6

Who are barristers regulated by?

Answer 6

Bar Standards Board

Question 7

What are the Inns of court?

Answer 7

Inner Temple
Middle Temple
Greys Inn
Lincolns Inn

Question 8

What is the tenancy barristers have?

Answer 8

Work out of chambers with a clerk to organise administrative matters

Question 9

What is direct access?

Answer 9

Clients can go straight to barristers for civil cases, not for criminal or family
Must go through additional training

Question 10

What is the Cab Rank Rule?

Answer 10

If barrister is available and has suitable expertise, they must take the next available case, can’t pick and choose

Question 11

What can happen after 10 yrs of being a barrister?

Answer 11

Can apply to become part of the Queen’s Council
‘Taking silk’

Question 12

What is the various work a barriser does?

Answer 12

Advocate
Complete legal research
Hold case conferences
Negotiate settlements with the other side

Question 13

Where does a person complain to against a barrister?

Answer 13

Chambers

Question 14

What happens if the chambers are unable to deal with issue?

Answer 14

Can complain to either the Legal Ombudsman or Bar Standard Board

Question 15

What is the Legal Ombudsman?

Answer 15

Set up by the Office of Legal Complaints under the Legal Services Act 2007
Complaints for poor service
Can order barrister to apologise, return legal docs, refund/reduce legal fees or pay compensation up to £30k

Question 16

What is the Bar Standards Board?

Answer 16

For breach of conduct e.g., acting dishonestly
If serious, will be referred to Disciplinary Tribunal
Tribunal can reprimand them, make the complete additional training, pay fine or compensation up to £50k, suspend or disbar them

Question 17

Can a barrister be sued?

Answer 17

Can’t if acted through solicitor
Can if direct access for civil cases
Can sue for negligence (Hall v Simons 2000)