Permissibility of Barristers Signing Form CDS 14

This short guidance provides further clarification in relation to the permissibility of barristers signing form CDS 14, “Application for Legal Aid in Criminal Proceedings” following a letter sent by the Bar Council in October 2006.

The Legal Services Commission (LSC) at first made it quite clear that barristers are not permitted to sign form CDS 14 as they are not under contract with the LSC. The Bar Council became aware that this had resulted in practical difficulties on the ground and that enquiries made by others have been receiving the opposite response.

The LSC has now confirmed that barristers can after all sign form CDS 14 and it was always their intention that they should be able to, as agents of the solicitor.

The LSC accepts that this is not as clear on the form or in guidance as it could be and the next version will be changed to make this more explicit.