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Witness Preparation

Purpose: To assist barristers to identify what is permissible by way of factual and expert witness familiarisation and preparation, in both civil and criminal cases
Scope of application: All barristers
Issued by: The Ethics Committee
First reviewed: 01/10/2005
Last reviewed: 01/09/2023
Status and effect: Please see the notice at end of this document. This is not "guidance" for the purposes of the BSB Handbook I6.4.

The aim of this document is to assist counsel in addressing the ethical duties that may arise generally from managing one’s client’s witnesses outside court.


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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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