Professional Standards

Professional StandardsThe Bar Council takes the view that the regulation of the profession requires eternal vigilance and proactive monitoring in order to ensure that it continues demonstrably to serve the public interest and, where necessary, the implementation of improvements that, although always based upon a thorough, contextualized awareness of the profession, also reflect established best practice.

Barristers in Northern Ireland are committed to providing the highest levels of professional conduct and service to all clients and to continuously demonstrating core principles that underpin the values of the profession. In order for a barrister to practice in the jurisdiction of Northern Ireland they must apply on an annual basis for a Practising Certificate which will only be issued after the barrister has demonstrated that they have not only complied with the professional standards set by the Bar Council but, in addition, have:

• Engaged in Continuous Professional Development - The Bar Council supports members of the profession to continually enhance their knowledge and skills through accredited training. The Bar Council also sets annual mandatory training requirements for all barristers in areas such as Ethics, Advocacy and Practice Management.

• Procured an appropriate level of Professional Indemnity Insurance - this affords protection to the public that the services provided by a barrister have been underwritten by the highest standard of insurance cover which, of itself, encourages ongoing diligence and best practice to be observed by the barrister.

Barristers also act in accordance with the standards set out in the Department of Justice’s Victim Charter and the guidelines contained in the Public Prosecution Service’s Code for Prosecutors