Abstract: A brake pad unit for a disc brake assembly. The brake pad unit comprises a backing plate and a friction pad. The backing plate comprises a first side and a second side having a length L, a width W, and an edge wall which defines a thickness T of the backing plate. The first side defines an engagement surface for engaging with the disc brake assembly. The second side defines a friction material mounting surface. The backing plate is formed from a composite material comprising reinforcement fibres, wherein the composite material extends throughout of the backing plate. The backing plate comprises a layer of reinforcement fibres which are provided as continuous fibres which extend from a first point on the edge wall to a second point on the edge wall. The friction pad comprises a friction material provided on the friction material mounting surface of the backing plate.