The Bar Council recently launched ProcureCo—a flexible business model—assisted by Field Fisher Waterhouse, that can be adopted by chambers bidding for work from large companies and local authorities.
The new model preserves the traditional chambers structure but allows chambers to add on separate corporate entities. It gives sets of chambers greater flexibility in bidding for work.
Barristers will be able to use the ProcureCo model to contract directly with clients and to instruct other professionals, including solicitors, to provide services. They may, for example, wish to create panels of solicitors and non-lawyers.
ProcureCos can be used for a wide range of work, including international work, City advisory work, arbitration and local authority work.
The Bar Council is in discussion with the Legal Services Commission (LSC) about the use of different models for direct contracting between the Bar and the LSC.
However, there are limitations to the scope of the ProcureCo model. It cannot supply reserved legal services, as the Bar Standards Board currently regulates individuals only and not entities. Therefore, the ProcureCo must procure the services of lawyers to provide clients. It cannot supply the reserved services itself and cannot employ barristers to provide reserved legal services.
This may change in future as the BSB intends to consult on the issue of entity regulation.
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