England: Barristers told to speak up

The Bar Standards Board’s document lays out the “the minimum level or standard to which the competences should be performed on day one of practice”.

It demands that barristers “speak fluent English” and that they “use correct and appropriate vocabulary, English grammar, spelling and punctuation in all communications”.

Elsewhere, the document enjoins practitioners to “ensure they are fully prepared” and are “familiar with the facts and law applicable to any matter on which they are working, as well as their client’s circumstances and goals, so as to be able to supply their client with a good standard of work.”

As regards advocacy skills, barristers should “be able to communicate audibly, using both pace and language that are appropriate to the tribunal. They will be able to handle witnesses in accordance with the rules of the court. They will ask questions which assist the court, focus on the real issues in the case and avoid the irrelevant. They will listen to the answers and demonstrate appropriate conduct towards the witness.”