Structure
The Board itself comprises 15 members, and plans to move towards a lay majority in the future. The Chairman is Baroness Deech D.B.E. The Board members, and its five regulatory committees, are appointed through open competition by the Appointments Panel, which includes lay members accredited by the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
The main work of the Board is undertaken by five regulatory committees:
- Education and Training
- Qualifications
- Standards
- Quality Assurance
- Complaints
The Performance and Best Value Committee looks at the performance of the BSB itself and the way in which it spends its money. The Equality and Diversity Committee advises on diversity issues. These Committees are made up of a majority of barristers, but with significant lay representation. The Committee structure is under review.
The BSB benefits from a substantial pro bono contribution by the profession.
Approximately 56 people support the work of the Board within the following teams:
- Education and Training
- Professional Practice
- Complaints
- Strategy and Communications
A recent review of pupillage has resulted in plans to restructure committees and the team. This work will be taken forward by a working group of the Board. As and when this initiative proceeds it will impact upon the present BSB structure chart which is to be found at Annex A. The teams have grown significantly over the last two years to reflect growth in the business plan and to deliver the BSB’s work in line with the Regulatory Objectives of the Legal Services Act.
The BSB has a budget of £3.619 million for 2010 and it is anticipated that the budget for 2011 will be the same amount. Around £1.2 million is obtained from fees charged by the BSB in respect of activities that it performs. The remainder is met by the Bar Council, which receives income from practising certificate fees, a voluntary member services fee and subventions from the four Inns of Court.
The BSB is supported by Central Services which includes Finance, IT, Human Resources, Research, Records, Office Services and Project Management. In addition within Central Services there is a joint team of regulatory and representative Equality and Diversity Advisors and administrative staff. Advice on international relations is provided by the Representation and Policy Department of the Bar Council under an agreed protocol.
Download a Structure chart.