Information on attending a hearing
Attending a disciplinary hearing
- Anyone wishing to attend a hearing is encouraged to inform the Bar Standards Board in advance due to limitations on space in the hearing rooms. You will not be required to identify who you are but if we do not have a name we will be unable to guarantee you a space. If the public seating space available at a particular hearing is full then unfortunately we will not be able to admit you the hearing.
- All hearings are subject to cancellation or postponement at short notice. Therefore you are should contact the Investigations Team of the Bar Standards Board or the Council of Inns of Court the day before the hearing to confirm that the hearing is going ahead.
Behaviour at a disciplinary hearing
Members of the public are not entitled to participate in the hearings and are expected at all times to observe the following guide-lines
- Please arrive at the venue at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the hearing. If you arrive late, you will not be admitted once the hearing has begun until there is a suitable break.
- Please enter or leave the hearing room only during adjournments or suitable breaks such as when there is change of witnesses. Please leave or enter as quietly as possible.
- Please remain silent at all times during the hearing and switch off your mobile phone.
- You must abide by the rules set down by the Chair of the hearing. For example, if the panel decides that all or part of the hearing should be held in private, you must leave the hearing the room.
- At a Disciplinary Tribunal, members of the press and public should observe the established etiquette of standing when the panel enters the room or leaves the hearing room. The Clerk to the Tribunal will indicate the appropriate times.
- At a Summary Procedure hearing, you should remain seated at all time but you will be asked to leave the room while the panel deliberates on the findings and sentence.
- If you have any questions at a hearing, please direct them to the Investigations Officer from the Bar Standards Board during a break in the proceedings. You should note that the Investigations Officer may not be able to answer all your queries for reasons of confidentially and cannot provide you with copies of documents.
