The General Council of the Bar acts as a regulatory body for barristers and they have their own disciplinary procedure. The General Council of the Bar has the power to award up to £5000 compensation for a complainant. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received you should make a complaint within six months.

For 200 years barristers enjoyed an immunity which has prevented disgruntled clients from suing them for damages for loss incurred as a result of the barrister's negligence in representing the client in court. The immunity was removed in 2000 by The House of Lords. The ruling applies to all proceedings, both civil and criminal, and also affects solicitors who act as advocates in court.

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