Public access barristers could be forced to list their fees as well as any likely additional costs on their website.
And all self-employed barristers and chambers would be required to state their pricing models, areas of work and information about the factors that might affect the timescale of a case, under proposals set out in a Bar Standards Board (BSB) Rules consultation on transparency standards last week.
The BSB piloted its scheme with nine chambers between November 2017 and February 2018 with positive results—one chambers reported that their client conversion rate doubled during the trial, while another achieved their highest turnover increase accompanied by a ‘significant’ reduction in late payments.
BSB director general, Dr Vanessa Davies said: ‘We are confident that the new rules to improve transparency standards adequately reflect the often highly complex nature of barristers' work.’
The consultation closes on 14 December. If approved by the Legal Services Board, the rules would be in place by May 2019.
