Bar Council launches ‘ProcureCo’ model as Bar looks to evolve business structures
26 April 2010
The Bar Council of England and Wales, has launched a model for new
business structures for the Bar, dubbed 'ProcureCo'. This
follows historic rule changes made by the Bar's independent
regulatory arm, the Bar Standards Board (BSB), which gave
barristers the ability to provide their services in different ways
and to structure themselves in ways which had previously been
prohibited.
In this context, the Bar Council has for some time been working on
a business model for the Bar which gives sets of chambers increased
flexibility in bidding for work in new and existing areas of
practice and in areas where sets of chambers face increased
competition.
Following a range of meetings with barristers around England and
Wales, the Bar Council Chairman, Nicholas Green QC, has written to
the profession outlining in detail how a ProcureCo might work. The
documents (which can be viewed in full on the Bar Council website)
include guidance on the relationship between the members of
chambers and the ProcureCo.
The changes are also intended to benefit consumers and large
procurers of legal services, which will be able to access the Bar's
high quality services quickly and efficiently, ultimately reducing
their legal costs.
Commenting on the launch of the model documents, Nicholas Green QC
said:
"We are very pleased to be able to publish the ProcureCo model and
guidance. I am aware from numerous conversations with members of
the Bar and with clerks and practice managers that the Bar needs
greater flexibility in what is a rapidly changing market place. I
am confident that the Bar will take the model terms and modify and
develop them to suit their particular needs. I have been encouraged
by the fact that individual sets of chambers are already setting up
ProcureCo type vehicles designed to give Chambers new
opportunities. "
"At the Bar Council we will, in addition to working with the Bar
on implementation, now continue with our campaign to raise
awareness of large purchasers and clients about the excellent value
for money which the Bar represents and the extremely high quality
of service that it provide."
Ends
Notes to Editors
1. Further information from the Bar Council Press Office on 020
7222 2525.
2. The Bar Council was assisted in the preparation of the
documents by Field Fisher Waterhouse, solicitors instructed by the
Bar Council.
3. The General Council of the Bar is the Approved Regulator of the
Bar of England and Wales. It discharges its regulatory functions
through the independent Bar Standards Board. It represents the Bar
by:
• Promoting the specialist advocacy and
advisory services of barristers;
• Ensuring access to justice on terms that are fair both to the
public and practitioners;
• Promoting the high quality training and professional development
of all barristers to ensure the highest standards of practice and
ethical behaviour;
• Working for the efficient and cost-effective administration of
justice;
• Encouraging access to, and diversity within, the profession so
that it is open to all people of ability whatever their background;
and
• Strengthening and developing the work and the values of the Bar
at home and abroad.