The Bar Standards Board explains what its strategic plan means for the profession
These are uncertain times for everyone involved in legal services.
The Bar faces competing challenges from a wide variety of sources including commercial pressures from a wide range of regulated—and unregulated—providers, dealing with the ongoing effects of cuts to legal aid, and preparing to adapt to proposed technological changes to the court system. The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is also facing challenges, including an imminent government consultation on the future of legal services regulation, continuing pressure to reduce the costs of regulation. The recently announced study by the Competition and Markets Authority will also have an impact on the legal profession and the regulatory framework.
Clear strategy
It is against this background, that the BSB has recently published its new strategic plan for 2016-2019. Its objectives remain clear, but the BSB is very aware that it must also ensure value for money. The plan confirms that the BSB’s direct operating costs will reduce by four per cent in 2016-17 and the Board will keep costs at
