A mixture of barristers, clerks and other chambers’ employees are always encouraged to attend Public Access courses as the different perspectives add real value to the discussions during the course. However, the Bar Council has specifically put together a short half day course for clerks who are looking to learn the aspects of Public Access that they need to be familiar with to support their barristers when accepting Public Access instructions.

The Public Access Course for clerks and chambers’ employees is designed to reinforce delegates’ understanding of the applicable rules and to identify under what circumstances it is reasonable or not to accept instructions from a lay client or their intermediary. It will explain what work can and cannot be undertaken with guidance on how to communicate the parameter of Public Access work to clients. In particular it will help delegates understand:

  • Marketing Public Access effectively
  • How a barristers’ function does not change by undertaking Public Access work
  • How the Public Access rules are applied
  • When instructions may be accepted from lay clients or their intermediary
  • The application of the ‘cab-rank’ rule
  • When it is appropriate to refuse to accept instructions from lay clients or their intermediary
  • The rules governing barristers’ actions if the client is likely to be eligible for public funding
  • How fees can be calculated and the rule against ‘fees on account’
  • The administrative undertaking and model client care letters
  • The insurance implications (indemnity and after-the-event)
  • How the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 affect a Public Access practice, and
  • When the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2002 apply to Public Access work.
  • To ensure this course will fit into busy schedules, it will only last half a day.

If you are interested in attending a course and a convenient location is not listed below, please email the Training and Events team to register your interest in the course and the preferable location.

Tuesday 15 January 2019 09:30-13:30 Bar Council, London Click here to book
Tuesday 5 March 2019 09:30- 13:30 Bar Council, London Click Here to book

Please ensure you have read and accept the training Terms and Conditions before booking a course.

Price – £150 (plus VAT)

Please click here for more information and booking