The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has appointed Bevan Brittan to help shape its plans to regulate new legal business structures ushered in by the Legal Services Act.

The appointment comes after the BSB took a decision in April to extend its remit to regulate advocacy-focused alternative business structures (ABSs), legal disciplinary practices and barrister-only entities.

Bevan Brittan, which won the role after a formal tender process, will now work with the BSB in developing its framework for the regulation of such businesses. The appointment will initially run until September 2011.

Bevan Brittan commercial dispute resolution partner Iain Miller commented: "This is a period of significant change for the whole of the legal sector and we relish the opportunity to use our experience and understanding of legal regulation to support the BSB shape the future of regulation of the Bar."

The firm will also work with the BSB on putting together the new Bar code of conduct, which is scheduled for 2012, while the regulator is also proposing to extend its regime to allow barristers with relevant training to conduct litigation.

Bevan Brittan's Miller has also recently been working with the Solicitors Regulation Authority to draw up a set of guidelines for large firms facing administration in light of experience gained following the collapse of Halliwells.