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Cab-rank rule

The cab-rank rule is an ethical obligation codified in the Bar Standards Board's Handbook (rC29) that binds self-employed barristers in England and Wales to accept instructions from a professional client in any case within their advertised or professed field of practice, provided they have the capacity to undertake the work, the fees will be properly remunerated, and subject to limited exceptions such as conflicts of interest or court appointments.^[1]^[2] This principle prohibits discrimination based on the client's character, beliefs, motives, or the perceived merits of the case, ensuring that barristers serve as impartial advocates rather than selective partisans.^[1]^[3] Named after the 18th-century practice of hackney cab drivers at a rank taking the next passenger in line irrespective of destination or passenger traits, the rule traces its origins to precedents like Thomas Erskine's 1792 defense of radical Thomas Paine, embodying a commitment to fearless advocacy amid political controversy.^[3] It underpins the independence of the referral Bar, promoting access to justice by preventing barristers from refusing "objectionable or unpopular" clients or causes, which could otherwise leave defendants, litigants, or marginalized parties without competent representation and erode public confidence in the legal system's impartiality.^[2]^[4] As a "bedrock obligation," the rule has sustained the profession's role in adversarial justice across common law jurisdictions, though its application has generated debate, particularly when barristers invoke exceptions or personal convictions to decline cases—such as a 2006 reprimand for refusing a gay client or 2023 declarations by King's Counsel to avoid prosecuting peaceful climate activists—raising questions about enforcement, ethical tensions, and potential circumvention that could undermine equitable representation.^[2]^[3]^[5]

Definition and Core Principles

Formal Definition and Scope

The cab-rank rule requires barristers regulated by the Bar Standards Board to comply with their duty of integrity by not withholding services on grounds such as the objectionable nature of the case to themselves or the public, the unacceptability of the client's conduct, opinions, or beliefs, or the source of financial support for the proceedings. Formally codified as Rule C29 in the BSB Handbook, it obliges self-employed barristers to accept instructions from professional clients (such as solicitors) for work within the barrister's professed field of competence and level of seniority, provided the instructions are appropriate, the barrister has sufficient time and resources considering existing commitments, and a reasonable fee is offered or payment terms are agreed.^[6] This principle derives its name from the practice of hackney cab drivers at a rank, who must take the first passenger in line irrespective of destination, ensuring non-discriminatory service. The scope of the rule is limited to barristers in independent practice within England and Wales, encompassing both advocacy in court and advisory work, though it is principally invoked in contentious litigation to guarantee representation for clients regardless of case controversy.^[6] It does not extend to employed barristers (such as those in corporations or government) unless instructions fall within agreed practice scopes, nor does it bind solicitors or other legal professionals.^[6] For public access instructions directly from lay clients, additional conditions apply, including the client's understanding of risks and ability to provide clear instructions without an intermediary.^[6] Rule C30 delineates exceptions permitting refusal, including lack of competence or experience, prior conflicting commitments or confidential information from adverse clients, potential to become a witness, or absence of viable payment arrangements; these ensure the rule does not compel unethical or impractical engagements.^[6]

Exceptions and Practical Constraints

The cab-rank rule, as codified in rule gC29 of the Bar Standards Board Handbook, is subject to specified exceptions under rule gC30, permitting self-employed barristers to refuse instructions from a professional client under certain conditions. These include situations where the professional client does not accept liability for fees in accordance with the barrister's or chambers' terms, the instructions are not provided on the Bar Council's standard contractual terms (or the barrister's own published terms), or the instructing solicitor appears on the Bar Council's list of defaulting solicitors.^[7]^[2] Further exceptions arise from broader professional obligations and practical necessities, such as when the barrister lacks sufficient competence or experience in the relevant field of law, has existing commitments that prevent availability within the required timeframe, faces a conflict of interest that compromises independence, or encounters a client unwilling to allow the barrister reasonable discretion in conducting the case. Barristers may also withdraw after acceptance if unforeseen circumstances, like case overruns or additional work demands, render continued representation impossible, provided reasonable notice is given and efforts are made to minimize prejudice to the client.^[8] Practical constraints significantly limit the rule's scope and enforceability. The obligation applies exclusively to instructions from professional clients, such as solicitors, and does not extend to direct public access work, which constituted a growing proportion of barrister instructions by the early 2010s. Fee-related issues pose another barrier, particularly in publicly funded cases where graduated or fixed fees (e.g., £203 plus VAT for certain criminal "either-way" offences that conclude early) may be deemed improper, allowing refusal without breaching the rule. Narrow specialization by barristers or chambers—often informal but entrenched—enables refusals by asserting lack of competence outside a tightly defined practice area, undermining the rule's intent despite its formal universality. Enforcement remains challenging, with no recorded disciplinary actions for evasion as of 2013, rendering the rule more aspirational than binding in contested scenarios.^[8]^[9]

Historical Development

Origins in English Common Law

The principle underlying the cab-rank rule emerged from the customs of the English Bar in common law practice, where barristers were expected to accept instructions from any client tendering reasonable fees, without regard to the nature of the case or personal beliefs, in exchange for their privileged access to the courts. This duty was implicit in the Bar's historical role as officers of the court, a status conferred by judges upon admission, obliging practitioners to provide representation to ensure adversarial proceedings and the rule of law.^[8]^[10] An early invocation of this obligation dates to the 17th century, during the 1649 trial of King Charles I, when prosecutor John Cook defended his acceptance of the brief by asserting a professional requirement to undertake prosecutions or defenses upon payment of appropriate fees, reflecting a nascent expectation of non-selective service amid politically charged litigation.^[8] The rule's ethos crystallized in the late 18th century through Thomas Erskine's defense of Thomas Paine in 1792 on charges of seditious libel for publishing Rights of Man. Erskine, a Whig-aligned barrister, famously contended that counsel must act independently of private judgment, positioning themselves "between the crown and the subject" to safeguard liberty, even for unpopular radicals during a period of anti-revolutionary fervor; this stance, risking Erskine's career, is widely regarded as a cornerstone precedent establishing the barrister's ethical imperative to represent the indefensible.^[8]^[3] Subsequent affirmations reinforced the custom, such as Henry Peter Brougham's 1820 representation of Queen Caroline against King George IV's divorce proceedings, where he echoed Erskine's rationale by prioritizing the advocate's detachment from client merits to preserve judicial impartiality and public access to counsel.^[8] Though not formally codified until the 20th century, the rule operated as an enforceable Bar tradition, policed through professional ostracism or judicial disapproval, to prevent selective practice that could deny representation in contentious matters.^[4]

Codification and Modern Evolution

The cab-rank rule transitioned from customary practice among English barristers to formal codification within the profession's regulatory framework during the late 20th century. It was explicitly incorporated into the written Code of Conduct of the Bar of England and Wales, with provisions governing the acceptance and return of instructions appearing in structured rules by the 1970s and 1980s, emphasizing the obligation to take briefs within one's competence if available and properly remunerated.^[4] By 2008, it was designated as Rule 602, requiring barristers to accept instructions from solicitors unless specific exemptions applied, such as conflicts of interest or insufficient fees, amid amendments to enhance clarity on professional duties.^[11] The establishment of the independent Bar Standards Board (BSB) in 2006 under the Legal Services Act 2007 marked a pivotal regulatory shift, leading to a comprehensive review of the rule's efficacy in 2013. This consultation paper examined its historical role in ensuring representation for unpopular clients but affirmed its ongoing value in upholding access to justice and barrister independence, rejecting proposals for abolition despite critiques that it primarily served economic rather than ethical purposes.^[4] The rule was then restated in the BSB Handbook effective from late 2014, consolidating it under rules C29 and C30, which mandate self-employed barristers to accept work from professional clients (e.g., solicitors) in their practice area, provided no prior commitments exist and remuneration meets standard terms, while expanding exceptions for direct access clients and public access work.^[1] In subsequent years, the rule has faced scrutiny amid broader legal market changes, including legal aid reductions and the rise of alternative business structures post-2011. The Legal Services Board in 2023 highlighted potential redundancies with overlapping independence rules and enforcement challenges, such as evasion through fee negotiations or selective availability claims, yet noted limited evidence of systemic non-compliance.^[12] The Bar Council and inns of court reaffirmed its "bedrock" status in May 2023, arguing it prevents client discrimination and sustains the referral bar's role in adversarial proceedings, even as surveys indicate high adherence rates among practitioners.^[2] These developments reflect an evolution toward refined exceptions and stronger enforcement mechanisms, such as BSB guidance on retainers, without altering the core obligation.^[1]

Jurisdictional Variations

Application in the United Kingdom

In England and Wales, the cab-rank rule requires self-employed barristers to accept any brief to appear before a court in a field in which they profess to practise, at a proper professional fee, regardless of the client's identity, the nature of the case, or any belief or opinion the barrister holds regarding the client's character, reputation, cause, conduct, guilt, or innocence.^[1] This obligation, set out in rule gC29 of the Bar Standards Board Handbook, applies specifically to instructions for courtroom advocacy and reinforces the independence of the referral bar by prohibiting selective refusal based on client characteristics.^[1] Exceptions permitting refusal are enumerated in rule gC30, including reasonable grounds to anticipate serving as a witness; inconsistency with core professional duties; lack of indemnity insurance; threats to independence or duty to the court; prior undertakings to decline instructions from the source; insufficient time for preparation; or an improper fee.^[1] The rule does not extend to solicitors or in-house counsel, nor does it mandate acceptance of non-court work or direct public access instructions without a professional intermediary, though the Bar Standards Board expects equivalent access principles for authorised persons instructing barristers.^[1] In Northern Ireland, barristers adhere to a comparable cab-rank duty, requiring acceptance of suitable instructions from instructing solicitors provided availability exists and no conflicts arise, thereby ensuring non-discriminatory representation.^[13] Scotland's Faculty of Advocates similarly upholds the rule, rooted in the Court of Session Act 1532, obliging practising members to accept instructions in line with their competence without regard to the client's nature.^[14] Across these jurisdictions, the principle supports the independent bar's role in upholding the rule of law, as affirmed in a May 2023 joint statement by the bars of England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Ireland, which described it as a "bedrock obligation" preventing discrimination and safeguarding access to competent advocacy irrespective of controversy.^[2] Compliance is enforced through regulatory oversight by bodies such as the Bar Standards Board, with breaches potentially leading to disciplinary action, though practical application often hinges on the enumerated exceptions.^[1]

Extensions to Commonwealth Jurisdictions

In Australia, the cab-rank rule applies exclusively to barristers and is codified in the Legal Profession Uniform Conduct (Barristers) Rules 2015, specifically rule 17, which mandates acceptance of any brief in a barrister's field of competence if the barrister is available, the fee is reasonable, and no exceptions apply, such as prior commitments, conflicts of interest, or lack of capacity.^[15] Exceptions are further detailed in rules 101, 103, 104, and 105, allowing refusal for reasons including ethical prohibitions or instructions contrary to law.^[16] The Australian Bar Association issued a Best Practice Guideline in 2024 emphasizing the rule's role in promoting access to justice while clarifying practical constraints like fee disputes.^[17] New Zealand extends the cab-rank principle to all lawyers, not merely barristers, under professional conduct standards that require acceptance of instructions on a first-come, first-served basis, irrespective of the client's identity or case nature, to uphold the public service ideal of unbiased representation.^[18] This broader application reflects the fused legal profession in New Zealand, where the rule integrates with duties of loyalty and independence, though it permits refusals for ethical conflicts or incompetence.^[19] In South Africa, the rule binds advocates in the divided profession, prohibiting refusal of competent briefs except for legitimate reasons like prior engagements or inadequate fees, as affirmed by the General Council of the Bar, which views it as essential to judicial independence and preventing selective representation.^[20] The Free State Society of Advocates describes it as an "indispensable principle" unique to advocates, ensuring availability for all clients to maintain systemic fairness.^[21] India recognizes the cab-rank rule as a core ethical duty for advocates under Bar Council rules, obliging representation regardless of personal beliefs or case controversy, provided competence and availability exist, to guarantee fair trials.^[22] However, practical adherence has been inconsistent, with bar associations occasionally resolving not to represent accused in high-profile cases, such as the 2012 Delhi gang rape trial, prompting judicial rebukes for undermining access to counsel.^[23] Canada lacks a formal cab-rank rule equivalent to those in other Commonwealth nations, with ethical guidelines instead encouraging but not mandating acceptance of unpopular clients to balance access to justice against lawyer autonomy. Discussions in Canadian legal ethics literature, such as in the National magazine, propose revisiting a stricter version to prevent representation gaps for controversial parties, though no uniform codification exists across provinces.^[24]

Theoretical Foundations and Benefits

Promotion of Access to Justice

The cab-rank rule promotes access to justice by requiring self-employed barristers to accept instructions for any case within their field of competence, provided the fee is appropriate and they have availability, irrespective of the client's identity, the nature of the case, or the barrister's personal views. This obligation ensures that litigants, including those with unpopular causes or accused of serious offenses, are not deprived of competent representation due to selective refusals by advocates.^[2] In practice, it operates analogously to a taxi rank, where the next available professional must serve the next client, thereby preventing a monopoly of representation by ideologically aligned barristers and fostering equitable availability of advocacy services.^[2] By mandating acceptance without discrimination, the rule supports the adversarial system's core requirement for effective representation on both sides of a dispute, which is essential for courts to adjudicate based on merits rather than one-sided arguments. Proponents, including the Bar Council, emphasize that it protects vulnerable or controversial clients from being unrepresented, as barristers' role is to advise and advocate zealously, not to judge or endorse the client—a function reserved for judges and juries.^[2] This mechanism is viewed as a safeguard against reputational or professional repercussions deterring barristers from taking difficult cases, thereby upholding broader public interest in fair trials.^[12] The rule's centrality to access was reaffirmed in a joint statement by the Bars of England & Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Ireland on May 26, 2023, which described it as a "bedrock obligation" enabling clients to retain advocates of their choice without prejudice.^[2] Empirical reflections from the Legal Services Board note that, while exemptions exist (such as for the employed bar comprising about 18% of barristers), the principle is commonly regarded as the primary defense ensuring lawyers face no adverse consequences for representing unpopular clients, thus theoretically enhancing systemic access.^[12]

Protection of Professional Independence and Rule of Law

The cab-rank rule safeguards barristers' professional independence by mandating acceptance of instructions within their field of competence, availability, and appropriate remuneration, irrespective of the client's identity, the cause's merits, or personal beliefs, thereby insulating practitioners from external pressures or reprisals for representing controversial figures.^[12] This obligation prevents selective refusals that could signal alignment with prevailing opinions, ensuring barristers remain impartial officers of the court rather than advocates beholden to public sentiment or political forces.^[2] As articulated by the Bar Council, "barristers do not choose their clients, nor do they associate themselves with their clients’ opinions or behaviour by virtue of representing them," reinforcing detachment from client ideologies.^[2] By prohibiting discrimination in case selection, the rule shields the Bar from systemic risks such as boycotts or professional ostracism, which could erode autonomy if barristers were free to decline based on moral disapproval.^[12] Historical precedents, such as Thomas Erskine's 1792 defense of Thomas Paine despite public outrage, exemplify how adherence upholds the profession's dignity against state or societal interference, affirming that advocates serve justice, not approbation.^[25] This structure fosters resilience, as barristers cannot be singled out for unpopular representations when obligated to handle all qualifying briefs, thereby preserving collective independence.^[26] In relation to the rule of law, the cab-rank rule ensures equitable access to representation, extending defense to unpopular or accused individuals—such as those charged with serious offenses or terrorism—thus preventing miscarriages of justice predicated on prejudice rather than evidence.^[26] It underpins the adversarial system's efficacy by guaranteeing that courts receive tested arguments from both sides, with adjudication reserved for judges and juries, not preliminary judgments by counsel.^[2] Without this mechanism, denials of counsel could undermine public confidence in impartial proceedings and the principle of equality under law, as selective representation might favor the palatable over the reviled.^[12] The Bar Council has emphasized it as a "cornerstone" that aligns with international standards, like the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, by facilitating representation essential to lawful adjudication.^[26]

Criticisms and Practical Challenges

Enforcement Difficulties and Evasions

Enforcement of the cab-rank rule primarily depends on complaint-driven investigations by the Bar Standards Board (BSB), with no systematic monitoring of instructions or refusals across the profession.^[8] The BSB has recorded zero to minimal disciplinary findings for breaches, such as one upheld reprimand in the 2010s against barrister Mark Mullins for refusing instructions due to personal beliefs about the client.^[4] Detection remains challenging, as potential violations often occur informally through unrecorded communications or unadvertised refusals, requiring complainants to provide evidence of improper motive, which barristers rarely admit.^[4] Proving evasion demands demonstration that exemptions—such as prior diary commitments or conflicts—were invoked pretextually, a threshold seldom met without direct admissions.^[8] Barristers frequently evade the rule's intent by legitimately citing exemptions under BSB Handbook rule rC29, including inadequate fees, which apply to low-remuneration legal aid cases averaging £203 per hearing in some defendant matters as of 2012 data.^[8] Other common pretexts involve claiming unavailability via double-booking or specialization limiting competence, allowing chambers clerks to steer undesirable briefs away without formal refusal.^[8] Retainers with select clients or "brown envelope" arrangements between solicitors and chambers further secure exclusivity, bypassing open instructions.^[8] The Legal Services Board (LSB) has noted these exemptions are "in the gift of the barrister," rendering avoidance "relatively straightforward" and enforcement rare, as seen in 2023 when barristers self-reported refusing climate protester prosecutions via a conscience declaration but faced no BSB sanctions.^[9] Solicitors' absence of a cab-rank obligation compounds evasions, as they control initial instructions and may avoid briefing barristers perceived as uncooperative on controversial matters, effectively cherry-picking despite the rule's application only to self-employed barristers.^[27] Historical patterns, such as reluctance to represent IRA suspects in the 1970s, illustrate undetected informal refusals, while modern specialization—e.g., prosecution-only practices—permits avoidance without breaching formal competence limits.^[8] The LSB's 2013 analysis concluded the rule offers "false assurance" of access, undermined by these mechanisms, though BSB consultations indicate cultural adherence among most barristers, with 76% of 34 respondents in a 2007 survey viewing it as effective despite evidential gaps.^[9]^[4]

Ethical Tensions with Client Selection

The cab-rank rule mandates that barristers accept instructions from any client within their field of competence, provided the fee is acceptable and they are available, irrespective of the client's identity, the nature of the case, or the barrister's personal beliefs about its merits.^[1] This requirement generates ethical tensions by subordinating individual moral autonomy to professional obligation, compelling barristers to represent parties they may view as morally culpable or whose causes conflict with their conscience, such as defendants in high-profile criminal trials or entities tied to human rights violations.^[18] Critics contend that this compulsion erodes personal integrity, positioning barristers as unwitting enablers of injustice rather than neutral advocates, particularly when representation advances causes like defense of oppressive regimes in foreign proceedings where the rule's application is limited but ethical dilemmas persist.^[28] A prominent example arose in March 2023 with the "Lawyers Are Responsible" declaration, signed by over 100 lawyers including 18 barristers, who pledged to refuse cases prosecuting climate activists or representing fossil fuel interests, citing ethical imperatives over professional duty; despite self-referrals to the Bar Standards Board, no disciplinary measures followed, underscoring enforcement gaps that exacerbate tensions between rule adherence and selective refusals.^[12] Such instances reveal how the rule's rigidity clashes with evolving societal pressures, where barristers risk reputational harm or internal conflict by accepting "toxic" briefs, yet exemptions for diary conflicts, inadequate fees, or non-England-and-Wales matters provide loopholes that undermine the rule's universality without resolving underlying moral conflicts.^[12]^[4] Scholars argue that the rule fails to institutionally settle moral dilemmas in client selection, as it prioritizes systemic access to representation over the barrister's right to conscientious objection, potentially leading to psychological strain or burnout from repeated exposure to ethically fraught cases.^[29] In practice, this has manifested in debates over representing controversial figures, where refusal based on personal ethics—prohibited under the rule—contrasts with solicitors' greater discretion in client choice, highlighting disparities within the profession that fuel calls for reform to accommodate individual ethical boundaries without compromising justice.^[30] Empirical reviews, such as the Legal Services Board's 2013 assessment, found negligible enforcement of breaches and no evidence of the rule systematically enhancing access for unpopular clients, intensifying critiques that it imposes undue ethical burdens without reciprocal societal benefits.^[12]

Recent Developments and Debates

Key Events Post-2020

In November 2022, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) publicly apologized to Dinah Rose KC after initially criticizing her 2021 interpretation that the cab-rank rule did not extend to advisory work in a Cayman Islands dispute over same-sex marriage legislation. The BSB had suggested her position—that the rule primarily applies to courtroom advocacy rather than non-litigious advice—reflected recklessness, but conceded the assessment was misplaced following review.^[31]^[32] This incident underscored ongoing debates about the rule's precise scope beyond traditional litigation.^[33] On May 26, 2023, the Chairs of the Bar Councils of England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Ireland jointly affirmed the cab-rank rule as a "bedrock obligation" for independent referral barristers, requiring acceptance of instructions within competence, availability, and appropriate fee regardless of client identity or case nature. The statement emphasized its role in safeguarding access to justice for those with unpopular or serious allegations, without barristers endorsing clients' views, amid criticisms that some practitioners selectively refused work in politically charged matters such as gender ideology or environmental litigation.^[2] In October 2025, Irish presidential candidate Catherine Connolly, a former barrister, faced questions during her campaign about prior representations of banks in repossession proceedings against tenants. The Bar Council of Ireland reiterated the cab-rank rule's fundamentality, stating barristers must undertake all suitable cases without alignment to clients' causes, countering political attacks that conflated professional duty with personal endorsement.^[34] Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan, himself a barrister, defended the principle, highlighting its necessity for impartial representation.^[35]

Prospects for Reform or Reaffirmation

In recent years, the Bar Council of England and Wales has repeatedly affirmed the cab-rank rule as a foundational principle essential to barristerial independence, with Chairman Sam Townend stating on February 19, 2025, that it ensures barristers "do not and cannot choose their clients," thereby upholding core professional duties.^[26] This stance aligns with a May 26, 2023, joint statement from the UK's four Bars, describing the rule as a "bedrock obligation" that prevents discrimination against clients based on their identity, views, or case merits, amid debates over representation in politically charged matters.^[2] Regulatory bodies have scrutinized enforcement but stopped short of advocating abolition. The Legal Services Board (LSB) noted in October 2023 that barristers can "relatively straightforward[ly]" evade the rule via exemptions, such as conflicts of interest or capacity limits, yet it has not proposed reforms, instead prompting discussions on strengthening compliance without altering the core obligation.^[9] Similarly, Bar Standards Board (BSB) consultations, including those post-2020 on ethical guidance, have reinforced the rule's application while clarifying exceptions, reflecting a preference for refinement over overhaul to preserve access to representation in unpopular cases.^[36] Critics, including some academics and practitioners, argue for reassessment due to practical limitations—such as its non-applicability to solicitors and in-house counsel, or tensions with modern ethical concerns like climate-related litigation—potentially rendering it anachronistic in a diversified legal market.^[27] However, institutional momentum favors reaffirmation; for instance, in April 2025 parliamentary evidence, the Bar Council highlighted the rule's role in safeguarding the rule of law by barring refusals based on client ideology, countering pressures from high-profile controversies.^[37] In Commonwealth jurisdictions, analogous principles persist without significant reform pushes, as seen in Australian Bar Association defenses emphasizing equitable access.^[38] Prospects for substantive reform appear dim, with the profession prioritizing the rule's symbolic and practical bulwark against selective representation, though incremental guidance updates may address evasions without undermining its essence.^[25] This trajectory underscores a commitment to first-principles fidelity to professional neutrality amid evolving societal demands.

References

[1]
The BSB Handbook
### Summary of Cab-Rank Rule (gC29) and Exceptions (gC30)
[2]
Cab rank rule: statement of the Four Bars
May 26, 2023 · The cab rank rule is a bedrock obligation for the independent referral Bar. The rule means that barristers cannot discriminate between clients.
[3]
What Is the 'Cab Rank' Rule for Barristers? - St Pauls Chambers
Jan 22, 2024 · The cab rank rule refers to the obligations of barristers to accept any work in their speciality, provided they are available and appropriately compensated.
[4]
[PDF] the “cab rank rule”: a fresh view - The Bar Standards Board
Jan 22, 2013 · The original justification for the Cab Rank Rule is well-known and generally accepted as a worthwhile and valuable goal – to promote access to ...
[5]
https://www.lccsa.org.uk/barrister-who-refused-to-represent-gay-client-reprimanded/
[6]
The BSB Handbook
### Extracted Text
[7]
[PDF] Consultation on the Cab Rank Rule, standard contractual terms, and ...
The cab rank rule is Rule C29 in the BSB Handbook. The rule states that if a self- employed barrister receives instructions from a professional client such ...
[8]
[PDF] The Cab Rank Rule - The Legal Services Board
The cab rank rule was invoked by the Bar to ensure defendants had counsel in court. Since that time the issues underlying the cab rank rule have shifted from ...
[9]
“Relatively straightforward” for barristers to avoid cab-rank rule
Oct 17, 2023 · It seems “relatively straightforward” for barristers to avoid the cab-rank rule by relying on exemptions, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has said.
[10]
The Cab Rank Rule | OHRH - Oxford Human Rights Hub
Mar 7, 2021 · It apparently originated from the time when admission to the Bar was granted by the Judges in return for which barristers were obliged to take ...
[11]
[PDF] bar standards board - amendments to the code of conduct
Dec 16, 2008 · The Cab Rank Rule (Rule 602) obliges a barrister to accept any instruction from a solicitor unless one or more of the specific exemptions ...
[12]
[PDF] Reflections on the cab rank rules - The Legal Services Board
Oct 17, 2023 · This rule places obligations on the barrister not to withhold services in the context of upholding access to justice and the rule of law. It ...
[13]
Why instruct a barrister? | The Bar of Northern Ireland
Assuming that the barrister identified is available and that there are no conflicts of interest, they are under a duty to take on your case under the 'cab rank' ...
[14]
Membership | Faculty of Advocates
Practising members of Faculty are available for instruction as advocates in accordance with the cab-rank rule, set out in the Court of Session Act 1532 and ...
[15]
legal profession uniform conduct (barristers) rules 2015 - reg 17
17 Cab-rank principle (d) the barrister is not obliged or permitted to refuse the brief under rule 101, 103, 104 or 105.
[16]
[PDF] Legal Profession Uniform Conduct (Barristers) Rules 2015 under the ...
(a) accepting any brief to appear for reasons other than those provided by the exceptions to the cab-rank principle in rule 101, 103, 104 or 105; or. (b).
[17]
[PDF] BEST PRACTICE GUIDE – THE CAB RANK RULE
The cab rank rule requires barristers to accept briefs from solicitors in any court in which they practise, provided:4. (a) the brief is within the ...
[18]
[PDF] THE CAB RANK RULE: A REAPPRAISAL OF THE DUTY TO ... - NZLII
The cab rank rule clearly reflects the public service ideal. The obligation to provide legal representation to all in an unbiased 'first come, first served' ...
[19]
The Cab Rank Rule: A Reappraisal of the Duty to Accept Clients
Mar 2, 1998 · This article discusses the duty that a lawyer has as a 'legal professional' to undertake such representations.
[20]
[PDF] Bar and the 'cab-rank' rule - GCBSA
And it has been argued that the cab rank rule is in any event a dead letter, given how easily it is evaded; perhaps the only time a member of the Bar will delib.
[21]
Advocates' Role | Free State Society of Advocates
The 'cab rank rule' is an indispensable principle, unique to the advocates profession, which is often misunderstood. It provides that counsel shall not refuse ...
[22]
The Cab Rank Rule: A Critical Examination Of Its Role In Legal ...
Sep 22, 2024 · The cab rank rule mandates that barristers must take on any case they are capable of handling, as long as the payment is fair and there are no conflicts of ...<|separator|>
[23]
The misunderstood role of advocates and importance of the cab ...
Sep 20, 2024 · Counter arguments assert that the cab rank rule is crucial for maintaining fairness in the legal system. By obligating advocates to take on ...
[24]
First come, first served: Revisiting the cab rank rule
Jun 16, 2017 · In Britain, barristers are bound by the “cab rank” rule: barristers, like taxis, must accept work on a 'first-come, first-served' basis.
[25]
In Defence of the Defence: The 'Cab Rank Rule' and Why It Matters
Feb 22, 2024 · The English common law holds as a key tenet the 'cab rank rule', a principle that, as recently as May 2023, the Bar Council described as a 'bedrock obligation'.
[26]
The cab rank rule is the profession's cornerstone, Bar Council says
Feb 19, 2025 · “Not only is the cab rank rule the profession's cornerstone, it also underpins access to justice. Everyone has a right to legal representation.
[27]
Is it time to re-assess the cab rank rule?
Jul 20, 2023 · Solicitors do not operate any 'cab rank' rule. So the primary route by which counsel are instructed, can be shut off by precisely the ...
[28]
The cab rank rule and ethical choices - Counsel Magazine
Mar 10, 2021 · The rule serves to ensure that no matter the case a litigant in civil or criminal proceedings will have access to skilled representation.
[29]
[PDF] THE PROBLEM OF CLIENT SELECTION - Hofstra Law
settlement of moral conflict. The institutional justification for the legal ... the same way that a rule (such as the cab-rank rule) would be. But a.
[30]
The 'cab-rank' rule - an ethical conundrum - Legal Cheek
Feb 17, 2021 · The rule is named after the concept that a taxi driver, waiting in a cab-rank, must take the next passenger he gets, regardless of who he/she is and where they ...
[31]
Bar regulator apologises to leading lawyer
Nov 22, 2022 · In September 2021, the Bar Standards Board concluded that the cab-rank rule did apply to Rose in this case because the case in which she was ...
[32]
https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/resources/press-releases/statement-concerning-dinah-rose-kc.html
[33]
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/law-chiefs-rule-against-magdalen-college-head-in-caymans-gay-rights-row-lvwdgrsz0
[34]
Bar Council says 'cab-rank rule' is 'fundamental' as Connolly faces ...
Oct 9, 2025 · Bar Council says 'cab-rank rule' is 'fundamental' as Connolly faces questions over barrister work. The presidential candidate has refused to say ...
[35]
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/tenant-dispute-smears-solos-key-154230292.html
[36]
The BSB Handbook - The Bar Standards Board
The BSB Handbook contains the rules about how barristers in England and Wales must behave and work. It also contains the Code of Conduct for barristers.
[37]
[PDF] Bar Council – Written Evidence (ROL0095)
Apr 23, 2025 · 25.For instance, the cab rank rule prevents barristers from refusing work because they disagree with the actions or views of those seeking their ...
[38]
ABA | Proposed amendments to the Legal Profession Uniform ...
They abide by a cab rank rule, which requires them to accept briefs within their area of expertise and ensures that all Australians have an entitlement to ...