All posts by Sophie Drummond

Training for tomorrow?

There has been a lot of speculation recently on the SRA Training for Tomorrow initiative and what will replace the current CPD framework and the 16 hour annual target. The recent announcement from the SRA, the ‘new approach to Continuing Competence’, has ended that debate. No doubt the speculation will now move from what the concept will be to as…

Public Access – leveraging the opportunities

Those barristers and chambers that have already embraced the concept of public access (PA) have done so mainly because they have organised themselves effectively with targeted marketing and by developing user-friendly and efficient processes but also, more importantly, by delivering high standards of client care. However, they still represent a minority of self-employed barristers. Fully leveraging the opportunities provided by…

Public Access – the opportunity

Private and commercial clients have been able to instruct barristers directly through Public Access since 2004.  However, in 2014, chambers are still only achieving, on average, public access work turnover levels of between 5 and 10%.  Most of that work is actually generated through individual effort rather than from coordinated chambers or team activities. We recognise that public access may…