Poorly performing barristers could be referred to an advisory panel for advice on how to improve their skills, under proposals outlined last week by the Bar Council.


Judges, solicitors and other barristers would be able to report barristers whose advocacy is below par, if the scheme gets the go-ahead. The panel would not have a disciplinary function, and referral to it would not prevent any complaint being made to the Bar Standards Board (BSB).



In a consultation on a package of measures designed to ensure the quality of the bar's advocacy services, the council also suggested a system of grading for publicly funded advocates, as recommended by Lord Carter in his final report. The council will work with the Legal Services Commission to set up the scheme, which will be piloted in October.



In addition, the BSB is to amend the profession's training regulations so that barristers of four to six years' call are required to undertake three hours of advocacy training each year. At present, this is only compulsory for those of three years' call and under.



Bar Council chairman Geoffrey Vos QC said: 'The biggest selling points for the profession are the high quality of service it offers, and the value for money it provides. The Bar Council wishes to ensure that barristers aspire to and achieve excellence, so that the future of the profession is assured.



'Quality control is not a threat to our independence. And it must not become burdensome or disruptive. It is, however, a necessary part of growing up. We are a big profession now, attracting entrants from all backgrounds. We must be able to produce evidence for our oft-repeated assertion that we provide the highest-quality advocacy and advice available anywhere.'



BSB chairwoman Ruth Evans welcomed the consultation. She said: 'No profession can afford to carry individuals who are sub-standard or who let it down. The type of initiatives included in the consultation clearly illustrate the bar's commitment to continuous improvement and to demonstrating that more can be done.'



Consultation on the proposals ends on 18 May.



See also Editorial



Catherine Baksi