Professional Codes

The Authority has the power to issue codes of practice for legal professionals where this is necessary to set and improve standards for the provision of legal services.

After reviewing a professional code, the Authority may also issue a notice directing the relevant professional body to amend the code.

The LSRA Code of Practice for Practising Barristers came into effect on 26 September 2024. The Code sets out the requirements, rules and standards that apply to every person who is a practising barrister in Ireland as defined in the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, as amended. The Code is issued by the LSRA under section 22 of the Act.

The Code applies to every practising barrister, whether or not they are members of the Bar of Ireland or the Honorable Society of King’s Inns. It supplements the principles of good conduct set out in the existing professional codes of the Bar of Ireland and the Honorable Society of King’s Inns. Where, however, a provision of a professional code of the Bar of Ireland or the Honorable Society of Kings Inns conflicts with a provision of the LSRA Code of Practice for Practising Barristers, the LSRA Code will prevail.

Read the LSRA Code of Practice for Practising Barristers (PDF).

Other relevant codes for legal practitioners are:

• The Bar of Ireland Code of Conduct.
• The Honorable Society of King’s Inns’ Professional Code of Conduct.
• The Law Society of Ireland professional codes can be found on their website along with other useful information.