Regulator’s revised professional statement released yesterday
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has quietly reminded new barristers that they must use the correct “grammar, spelling and punctuation”.
In an updated version of the BSB’s “Professional Statement for Barristers” released yesterday, the regulator has reminded those who have finished law school, passed the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) and successfully secured and completed pupillage, that they must “use correct and appropriate vocabulary” in all of their communications.
As well as being able to “speak fluent English”, the revised statement — which describes the knowledge, skills and attributes that all barristers should have on “day one” of practice — states that newbie barristers must be able to “analyse written information.”
This all comes in the same month in which a former barrister, now a top High Court judge, dropped a couple of emojis into a family law judgment.
Last year — imparting some top tips of its own — the Bar Council reminded young barristers to “have at least two or three alcohol-free days each week” and lose some weight “if necessary.”
Launching its new “online hub”, the Bar Council’s Young Barristers’ Committee urged junior barristers to “take a holiday” and have a “proper lunch break”.
I’ll drink to that!