Our Regulatory Approach

Discover how we maintain the integrity and quality of the legal profession through our comprehensive governance framework and commitment to equality and diversity.

Who we regulate

We regulate practising barristers, pupils, unregistered barristers, certain specialised legal services businesses (known as BSB entities) and European lawyers registered with us. Select from the below to find out more.

Working for BSB

We are always keen to employ talented and highly motivated people at all levels who feel they can contribute to the future success of the Bar Standards Board. In return we offer an attractive salary and benefits package and a supportive, inclusive working environment based on our organisational values. Our people value our friendly and respectful environment, our support for flexible working, the opportunity to have a high degree of impact and our interesting, challenging and varied work. We run an on going programme of learning and inclusion events and encourage our people to learn and develop in their roles.

Our Governance

The Bar Standards Board is the regulatory arm of the Bar Council, which is the Approved Regulator under the Legal Services Act 2007. We have several governance documents that explain more about how we are governed and how our Board makes its decisions

Equality and Diversity

As the regulator of the Bar of England and Wales, we have a statutory regulatory objective to “encourage an independent, strong, diverse and effective legal profession” (The Legal Services Act 2007). We also have obligations under the Equality Act 2010.

We aim to ensure meaningful compliance with our equality duties in every aspect of our work, to demonstrate best equalities and anti-discrimination practice, and to embed equality and fairness into the day-to-day running of our organisation.

A risk based approach

Our risk-based approach to regulation

The administration of justice and the rule of law are vital to all of us in society. The rule of law is what enables us to protect our rights as citizens and to hold one another to account.

Barristers play a pivotal role in the justice system in England and Wales, so enabling people to seek access to justice and setting the standards of service provided by barristers is central to our purposes as a regulator.

Risk-based regulation is our way of thinking about what can go wrong in the legal services market, assessing how likely this is, and prioritising what we do either to prevent it from happening in the first place or to reduce the impact if it does go wrong.

We are currently implementing an exciting programme of reform to further develop our approach to regulatory risk as we seek to be best in class in this area.

Working with others

We work collaboratively with other agencies to ensure effective regulation of the Bar in the public interest.

Memoranda of Understanding

We have formalised our relationship with many other organisations by signing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). In the interests of transparency, you can download our current MOUs

Your Heading

Our Statistics

Explore our key statistics that reflect our regulatory impact and commitment to excellence and accountability.

Over 500 barristers regulated

100% compliance in annual assessments

80% satisfaction rate from regulated professionals

95% of clients report trust in barrister services

The Regulatory Objectives

In discharging our regulatory functions, we seek to meet the Regulatory Objectives which are set out in the Legal Services Act 2007. We share them with the other legal services regulators

"The Bar Standards Board has helped ensure that the barristers I’ve worked with maintain high standards of professionalism."

Sophia Jones Client Advocate

"With the BSB's guidance, I feel confident that the legal services I receive are regulated and trustworthy."

James Norkton Legal Advisor

"The commitment to equality and diversity that BSB promotes is commendable and beneficial for everyone involved."

Lawra Jorden Community Member

"The resources provided have been invaluable in shaping my understanding of barrister regulations."

Diona Leyua Legal Scholar

Our Regulatory Approach

Our risk-based approach to regulation

Your Heading

Our Statistics

The Regulatory Objectives

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