Quality Assurance for Advocates Scheme: Impact Assessment Survey - Why Should I Respond?

13 November 2007

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 23RD NOVEMBER 2007

Many thanks to all of you who have responded to the above survey, and who have completed the questionnaire enclosed in my letter of the 22nd October 2007.

I am asking all barristers to complete this survey. It is really very straightforward, and it is crucial that everyone fills it in so that we do not get distorted results. It will take very little of your time, and it is totally anonymous.

The survey can be completed on-line by clicking on the link below. If you prefer to complete a paper version of the questionnaire and require a further copy you can download this from the pdf link below. This may be returned free of charge at the free post address:

Bar Survey, 12 Roger Street London, WC1N 2BR.

The envelope must quote the license number LON 5532 and be marked “2nd Class”.

In order to maximise the response rate for this important survey we have asked the Legal Services Commission (LSC) to extend the deadline for receipt of responses to 23rd November 2007.

The survey is necessary because the Bar Council desperately needs to understand the impact of proposed changes on the diversity of the profession. The survey is as much for our (Bar Council and Bar Standards Board) benefit as it is for the benefit of the LSC. The LSC will tailor the Quality Assurance for Advocates Scheme (QAA) to make sure that specific groups of barristers are not prejudiced by the QAA Scheme, but they cannot do this unless they know where those groups are and what they are doing. Likewise, we cannot speak authoritatively about access to the profession, impact of the QAA Scheme, impact of fee reforms and other serious issues unless we have similar information.

Thank you in advance for assisting us with this exercise. If you have any queries about the survey, please contact David Anderson at the Bar council on 0207 242 0082.

To complete the questionnaire on line click here
To download a copy of the PDF click here