The Transparency rules came into force on 1.7.2019, and relate to price, service and redress. They apply to all self-employed barristers, chambers and BSB entities.
Barristers undertaking Public Access work, will need to comply with a number of additional requirements, with an implementation period until January 2020.
Barristers providing particular Public Access services, are required, in certain circumstances, to:
- State their pricing model(s), such as fixed fee or hourly rate;
- State indicative fees and the circumstances in which they may vary;
- State whether fees include VAT (where applicable);
- State likely additional costs e.g. court fees;
- Provide a description of the service, including a statement of the key stages; and
- An indicative timescale for the key stages.
The relevant Public Access services are:
- Employment Tribunal cases (advice and representation for employers and employees);
- Financial disputes arising out of divorce;
- Immigration appeals (First-tier Tribunal);
- Inheritance Act advices;
- licensing applications in relation to business premises;
- Personal injury claims;
- Summary only motoring offences (advice and representation for defendants); and
- Winding-up petitions.
For further information to assist you in complying with the rules, see the BSB’s Transparency Standards Guidance, including:
- 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;
- Additional best practice on transparency for all;
- Checklists to help with compliance, and information about the BSB’s supervision and enforcement strategy; and
- Annexes, including examples of required transparency for certain Public Access Services.