Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what his policy is with regard to the exercise of his powers under the Access to Justice Act 1999 and the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 on the formation of partnerships between barristers. [125432]
§ Mr. LockThe Lord Chancellor has no statutory powers with regard to the formation of partnerships between barristers.
The Lord Chancellor's powers under Schedule 4 to the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, as amended by schedule 5 to the Access to Justice Act 1999, enable him only to strike down and replace a professional body's rules if they unreasonably restrict a right of audience or to conduct litigation, or the exercise of such a right.
The rules preventing barristers forming partnerships are entirely a matter for the Bar Council.