The civil standard of proof is to be adopted for professional misconduct proceedings against barristers.
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has confirmed the change, which was put out to consultation earlier this year. Subject to approval from the Legal Services Board (LSB), the standard of proof will change from ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ to ‘the balance of probabilities’, bringing the Bar’s disciplinary arrangements in line with most other professions.
The BSB proposes to apply the civil standard to alleged breaches of the professional code occurring after 31 March 2019.
The BSB’s director of professional conduct, Sara Jagger, said: ‘The revised standard will complement other changes that we have made recently to improve our rules and processes, including the new disciplinary tribunal regulations that came into force on 1 November.’
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