Penningtons appoints barrister to partnership under new rules

UK firm Penningtons Solicitors is one of the first firms to promote a barrister to the partnership following regulatory changes by the Bar Standards Board allowing barristers to act as law firm partners. Barrister Nicole Curtis was promoted to the partnership early this month, taking the total number of partners at the firm to 51. On 1 April the Legal Services Board approved an application to relax Code of Conduct rules governing barristers' working practices. The Code of Conduct now allows barristers to: • Become managers of Legal Disciplinary Practices; • Work in partnerships; • Work in both a self-employed capacity and employed capacity at the same time (although not in the same case); • Hold shares in Legal Disciplinary Practices; • Share premises and office facilities with others; • Investigate and collect evidence and witness statements; • Attend police stations; and • Conduct correspondence.

Penningtons appoints barrister to partnership under new rules legalweek.com Fri, Apr 9, 2010