The Bar Standards Board (BSB) looks set to introduce compulsory performance appraisals of barristers as part of a new-look strategy to be unveiled later this month.

As first revealed on legal-week.com (10 November), the regulator's proposals, devised by a working group that includes 3 Stone Buildings' Geoffrey Vos QC, are likely to include regular assessments of all barristers in an effort to improve quality at the Bar.

The measures, which will be announced on 30 November, are likely to be enforced within five years.

In the interim period, a procedure will be introduced to allow judges to refer poorly performing barristers to the BSB. The barristers will receive help to improve their performance as well as being encouraged to receive training in certain aspects of the law they are not up to date with.

The move is one of a number of initiatives that will be introduced by the BSB, which was established in January after the Bar Council split its regulatory and representative arms.