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COVID –19 : Statement by the Bar Standards Board

We are issuing this statement to outline what we are doing in response to COVID-19.

The Bar Council and the COVID-19 Working Group have also been issuing helpful guidance to the profession which you can find here.

LawCare has a range of resources for staying mentally healthy during the pandemic on their website.

This statement will be kept under review and updated as necessary so please refer to our website for the latest information rather than calling or emailing us. We have limited resources and do not have the capacity to respond quickly to a large number of enquiries.

The Handbook

We know that barristers will continue to do everything they can to serve the interests of their clients and we should like to make clear that following Government or Public Health England guidance is not of course a breach of the BSB Handbook. However, you should ensure that you comply with any relevant obligations arising from following that guidance, particularly your duties to the court and your clients (e.g. if you need to cease to act or return instructions, you should clearly explain to your client or solicitor the reasons for doing so).


Practice management

Chambers/entities and barristers will need to consider the impact of the Government advice and the restrictions on travel and social contact on the management of their practices. Chambers/entities should also consider how any pupils should be supported whilst the restrictions are in place and how they will maintain contact with clients. In relation to their employees, all chambers/entities should follow the Government guide for employers which can be found here.

Read the full article here: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk.