Timothy Fancourt QC has written a Note for the Association's membership on the 2012/13 Practising Certificate Fees

He says:

The regime for obtaining practising certificates changes from this year. The BSB has yet to notify barristers of these changes.  It expects to do so in February.  In the meantime, this Note explains what is about to happen.

In order to obtain a practising certificate for 2012/13, you will need to have done the following by no later than 1 April 2012:

(i)    Set up an individual online account with the Bar Standards Board;
(ii)    Applied on line for your practising certificate, verifying your practising details, completion of CPD and that you have adequate indemnity insurance cover in place;
(iii)    Paid for the certificate, either online or by direct debit.

Steps (ii) and (iii) will apply in all future years too.

If these steps have not been completed by 1 April 2012, you will be surcharged 20% of the practising certificate fee.  If they have not been completed by 1 May, your eligibility to practise will be removed and if you supply reserved legal services after that date you will be committing a criminal offence under s.14 of the Legal Services Act 2007.

To read the full Note, please click here

To read the Bar Standards Board's list of frequently asked questions on this issue, please click here.