BSB pilot visits prompt “tangible improvements” to how chambers work

Pilot supervision visits to chambers by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) have brought about real improvements in chambers’ policies, procedures and controls, the regulator has found.

The new programme started at the beginning of 2014 as part of the BSB’s new targeted and proportionate approach to regulation. The BSB hopes that the visits will aid the spread of good practices, such as more transparent and effective complaints processes, across the legal profession.

The BSB visited 13 chambers as part of the pilot, six of which were selected randomly, with the remaining seven chosen because concerns had been raised about them by the BSB’s professional conduct department. As a result of the visits 120 actions of varying urgency were identified to improve how the chambers operated, including how they complied with risk assessments, complaints handling best practice, and equality and diversity requirements.

The BSB’s director of supervision, Oliver Hanmer, said: “We have been really encouraged by the tangible improvements we have seen in chambers’ risk management, governance, and service delivery. We are delighted with the positive responses from the chambers we have worked with. It’s clear that this approach is helping to foster a more constructive relationship between the BSB and those who we regulate. Fundamentally, these visits are vital in helping the BSB better protect the interests of clients by preventing potential risks snowballing into real problems.”