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Contractual Terms

Purpose: To provide Standard Contractual Terms for use by barristers instructed by solicitors, guidance on the Terms.
Scope of application: All practising barristers
Issued by: The Remuneration Committee
First reviewed: 01/03/2013
Last reviewed: 16/04/2021
Status and effect: Please see the notice at end of this page. This is not “guidance” for the purposes of the BSB Handbook I6.4.

On 31 January 2013, Standard Contractual Terms were introduced. In 2018, clauses 6 and 7 were updated to take account of the General Data Protection Regulation. In 2020, clause 4.3 was updated to refer to the Money Laundering Regulations 2017.

The Bar Standards Board Handbook states, rC30.9c: “The cab rank rule rC29 does not apply if […] accepting the instructions would require you to act other than on (A) the Standard Contractual Terms for the Supply of Legal Services by Barristers to Authorised Persons 2020 as published on the Bar Council’s website; or (B) if you publish standard terms of work, on those standard terms of work.”

Click the links below for the Standard Contractual Terms and the Guide to the Contractual Terms.

Please navigate to this page for the Contractual Terms for Civil (Non-Family) Legal Aid Work:  https://www.barcouncilethics.co.uk/documents/contractual-terms-civil-non-family-legal-aid-work/

For further information or clarification, please contact Remuneration@BarCouncil.org.uk


Download: The Standard Contractual Terms for the Supply of Legal Services by Barristers to Authorised Persons 2020:

Download ( PDF )


Download: Guide to Contractual Terms:

Download ( PDF )


Important Notice

This document has been prepared by the Bar Council to assist barristers on matters of professional conduct and ethics. It is not “guidance” for the purposes of the BSB Handbook I6.4, and neither the BSB nor a disciplinary tribunal nor the Legal Ombudsman is bound by any views or advice expressed in it. It does not comprise – and cannot be relied on as giving – legal advice. It has been prepared in good faith, but neither the Bar Council nor any of the individuals responsible for or involved in its preparation accept any responsibility or liability for anything done in reliance on it. For fuller information as to the status and effect of this document, please see here.

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