Foreword
Foreword to the Practice Management Guidelines 2006
The Practice Management Standards and Guidelines were first published in 1995, under the chairmanship of Peter Goldsmith QC (as he then was). This is the fourth edition of the Guidelines, following previous reviews in 1997 and in 2002.
The impetus for publishing the Guidelines was a recognition that the Bar could no longer rely only on the excellence of its advocacy and specialist advisory work, but that it depended also on its accessibility and the efficiency with which it provided its services. The Guidelines were aimed at promoting such good administration.
The purpose of the Guidelines remains quite distinct from that of the Code of Conduct. The Code lays down the mandatory standards of conduct on the part of barristers, and it was never intended that the Guidelines should add to those requirements. However, within the good practice set out in its pages, there are of course legal obligations which must be met by chambers.
In a legal world which is embracing the changes stemming from the review undertaken by Sir David Clementi and the Legal Services Bill, the representational side of the Bar Council will enjoy a growing role, both directly and via the circuits, in providing advice and guidance on best practice. Having said this, the importance of chambers’ own commitment to quality assurance remains paramount, and proper systems for continually monitoring and assessing such standards should remain in place. The information in the Guidelines plays a valuable part in achieving this aim. We commend them to you.
Stephen Hockman QC
Chairman of the Bar, 2006
David Etherington QC
Chairman of the Professional Practice Committee, 2006
