FAQ 2

Q2. I have been approached by a Legal Advice Centre to attend at the Centre as a volunteer to give advice to members of the public. I am a self-employed barrister. Can I do this?

A2. The Bar Council defines a Legal Advice Centre as a charitable or non-commercial organisation where legal services are offered to members of the public free of charge (or for a nominal fee) and which employs or has the services of one or more solicitors (solicitors at Legal Advice Centres must comply with paragraph 7a of the Employed Solicitors Code 1990) or which has been designated by the Bar Council as suitable for the employment or attendance of barristers. A list of Legal Advice Centres designated by the Bar Council can be obtained from the Bar Standards Board.

On the basis that the Legal Advice Centre meets the above definition, you may supply legal services at the Centre on a voluntary or part time basis and be treated, for the purposes of the Code of Conduct, as if you were employed by the Centre.

If you are employed by the Centre you cannot receive, either directly or indirectly, any fee or reward for the supply of legal services to any client of the Centre other than a salary paid by the Centre. You must ensure that any fees in respect of legal services provided to clients of the Centre accrue and are paid to the Centre. Finally, you must not have any financial interest in the Centre.