that we stay ahead of the curve?
p.1 How can we maintain the trust
and confidence both of the
profession we regulate and of the
public we serve?
I should like to share some of our
thinking about these challenges and
invite comments. I should like in
particular to focus in more detail
on risk-based regulation in order to
demonstrate that such an approach is
going to be key to our success.
Let me assure you that the approach
we are taking is only part of our move
to a different kind of regulation. The
Board has been thinking hard about
the way the BSB should do its work in
future and our own role. My barrister
and lay colleagues have shown
admirable ambition and commitment
and we shall be unveiling changes
after consultation with our staff and
the many experts and professionals
who give so willingly of their time and
experience.
Since its inception in 2006, our
focus has always been to uphold the
standards of the profession and to
promote excellence wherever we
can. We are striving to build a deeper
and more collaborative relationship
with barristers’ chambers up and
down the country. To make sure they
have the systems in place to provide
quality services to the public. I am
very pleased to hear that the recent
introduction of our Supervisory regime
has met with a positive reaction from
the profession.
It is the task of the Bar, and its
representative body, the Bar Council,
to celebrate and market its particular
strengths, high standards and
professional values. But we at the BSB
have the duty and responsibility to give
independent assurance to the public
that those claims are entirely valid and
true.
Last year, we became an authorised
regulator of entities, a new form of
barrister-led businesses. Although
take-up has been a bit slow, we believe
that these entities could help barristers
to compete more effectively in the
legal services marketplace, and that
they should provide consumers with
more choice. I am intrigued that our
regulatory regime has been seen as so
appealing that we even have a couple
of solicitor-led practices switching to
the BSB as their preferred regulator,
due to the value for money we provide
and reduced red tape. Over the years,
the BSB has authorised barristers who
have applied, and been accredited,
to take instructions directly from the
public and we have opened up the
rules which allow them to conduct
litigation. This has improved flexibility
for the profession and access to justice
for the public.
Against the background of intense
financial pressures, we remain
committed to protecting the public
and consumer interest and access to
justice. We will do this while balancing
those regulatory objectives against
the sometimes competing objective
of encouraging the independence,
strength, diversity and effectiveness of
the legal profession. It is in the interest
of the public, the rule of