The Legal Services Board has approved a relaxation in the bar rules that will allow barristers to take advantage of the Legal Services Act 2007.

Following the LSB’s approval of the Bar Standards Boards’ applications to relax the bar’s Code of Conduct, barristers will now be able to become managers in legal disciplinary practices regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and work in partnerships with other barristers.

The new rules will allow them to work in a dual capacity, enabling them to work part-time in an employed or managerial capacity and part-time as a self-employed barrister in chambers.

Barristers will be permitted to hold shares in LDPs regardless of whether they are employed by them.

They will also be able to share premises and office facilities with other professionals.

The rule changes will enable barristers to expand the work they are able to do, allowing them to carry out work on the preparation of cases that previously only solicitors could do.

They will now be able to investigate and collect evidence and witness statements, attend police stations and conduct correspondence.

In addition the public access scheme, which allows people to instruct barristers directly without the need to approach a solicitor fist, will be expanded.

BSB chair Baroness Deech said: ‘The BSB is committed to making appropriate changes to permitted practice at the bar to benefit its clients in terms of greater access to barristers’ services, broadening the range of services available from the bar, giving consumers more choice and bringing down costs while maintaining the high standards associated with the bar.’

‘The BSB is therefore very pleased that the LSB has approved these three applications as submitted,’ she said.