The barrister named for his complaints record has avoided suspension by regulators – but cannot take on new cases for now.

An independent interim suspension panel, run by the Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service (BTAS), has decided not to suspend Birmingham-based public access barrister Tariq Rehman despite his being named by the Office for Legal Complaints as the subject of 25 complaints. 

As a result Rehman, who operates out of KC Chambers (also known as Kings Court Chambers and Hilton Chambers), remains able to practise as a barrister for his current clients pending the outcome of an investigation.

However, the BTAS decided to impose restrictions on Rehman which will prevent him from taking on any new public access cases for up to four months pending the outcome of ongoing disciplinary action. The restrictions apply only to new cases briefed to him directly by members of the public – he remains able to work on new cases referred to him by a solicitor.

Sara Jagger, director of professional conduct for the Bar Standards Board, said: ‘Our ultimate concern is of course the interests of Mr Rehman’s clients and so our supervision team will continue to monitor closely his activities and those of his chambers.’

Rehman was named by the Legal Ombudsman last month after it received 25 complaints about him over two years.

The barrister has defended his record, saying the ombudsman had paid no attention to his client satisfaction rate and gave a misleading picture of his record by failing to take account of his business model. 

Rehman, who specialises in public access work in UK and European immigration law, nationality and asylum law, said his chambers deals with around 300 clients a month and has a 97% satisfaction rate.