§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to permit barristers to practise in(a) partnerships and (b) limited liability companies; and if he will make a statement. [81096]
§ Mr. HoonThis is a matter for the General Council of the Bar. Practising barristers are currently prohibited by their professional rules from entering into partnerships. Under the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, it could fall to the Lord Chancellor and the designated judges to approve any proposed changes to those rules, if such changes came into the scope of Schedule 4 of that Act.