Following a formal tendering exercise, the regulator of the Bar in England in Wales has appointed leading national law firm Bevan Brittan LLP to progress its plans for regulating legal businesses.
A Bevan Brittan team led by Iain Miller, recognised as one of the UK’s leading experts on legal regulation, will assist the Bar Standards Board (BSB) to:
- Develop a framework for the regulation of legal businesses
- Introduce a new Code of Conduct for the Bar
- Increase the BSB’s regime to allow barristers with the relevant training to conduct litigation
The initial contract will run from now until mid September 2011. It is anticipated that the Bar Standards Board will publish its public consultation on its proposed frameworks for litigation and business regulation in October this year and issue a new Code of Conduct in 2012.
Commenting on the appointment, Iain Miller, Commercial Dispute Resolution Partner at Bevan Brittan LLP, said,
“We are delighted to be working with the Bar Standards Board on this exciting project. Our extensive work in the field of legal regulation gives us a unique insight into the significant change affecting the whole of the legal sector and we relish the opportunity to use this experience and understanding of legal regulation to support the BSB shape the future of the Bar”
Commenting on the decision, Bar Standards Board Director, Dr Vanessa Davies said,
“Following our Board’s decision in April to extend our remit to regulate different types of legal business structure, we sought to bring in specific expertise to help with the demanding task ahead. I am pleased to announce that after a highly competitive tender process, we have appointed Bevan Brittan to assist our in house Policy Officers with the development of this project.
“Bevan Brittan LLP has a proven track record of delivering high quality work and will bring much valued expertise to the development of detailed frameworks for regulating businesses and litigation and finalising the new Code of Conduct. We look forward to working closely with Iain Miller and his team, in what I’m sure will be a productive and rewarding relationship.”