Professional ethics is a fundamental part of becoming a barrister. Barristers are subject to professional duties and standards of conduct designed to maintain public confidence in the legal profession and the administration of justice. These obligations are set out in the BSB Handbook, which contains the Code of Conduct, professional rules and supporting guidance.
Why is Professional Ethics important?
Barristers must understand their responsibilities to clients, the courts, the public and the profession.
Ethical issues can arise in a wide range of professional situations, including:
- Duties to the court.
- Duties to clients.
- Confidentiality.
- Conflicts of interest.
- Independence and integrity.
- Professional conduct and regulatory responsibilities.
An understanding of these obligations is essential throughout a barrister's career.
How is Professional Ethics assessed?
Professional Ethics is taught and assessed during the vocational Bar Course by your training provider. There is also a separate BSB centralised Professional Ethics assessment during the pupillage stage of training. You should check the requirements relevant to your particular stage of training.
Preparing for Professional Ethics
Effective preparation involves understanding the BSB Handbook and learning how ethical obligations apply to practical situations. Rather than simply memorising rules, you should be able to identify potential ethical issues and understand the appropriate professional response. You can access the relevant rules and guidance through the Bar Standards Board website.
Professional Ethics resources from BarReady
We are developing additional Professional Ethics revision resources to support aspiring barristers in understanding their professional responsibilities. Further information will be available as these resources are released.