FAQ 15

Q15. I have been asked to be a non-executive director of a company. Is this permitted under the Code of Conduct?

A15. For the purposes of the Code of Conduct, being a non-executive director does not fall within the definition of offering a legal service. A barrister can therefore be a non-executive director and give to the other directors the benefit of his learning and experience on matters of general legal principle applicable to the affairs of the company.

Any barrister who takes up such a post would not be able to act in any legal proceedings involving the company as it would be difficult to see how they could do so without his or her independence being compromised.