Damian McCarthy, a public access barrister who was disbarred by a Bar Disciplinary Tribunal in 2011, for fabricating client care letters,  won his appeal after the Bar Standards Board was found to have failed to disclose a statement.

This is an important reminder to all public access barristers of the requirement to send client care letters in compliance with the code of conduct.

Pursuant to Rule C22, where you first accept instructions to act in a matter, you must confirm in writing acceptance of the instructions and the terms and/or basis on which you will be acting, including the basis of charging. Rule C24 states that barristers must comply with the requirements set out in Rule C22 before doing the work unless that is not reasonably practicable, in which case you should do so as soon as reasonably practicable.