*/
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has warned the Bar’s regulator against increasing the qualification threshold to come to the Bar.
The panel said that increasing the current requirement that students have attained a 2:2 to a 2:1 would ‘unduly restrict access to the profession’.
Responding to the Bar Standards Board’s consultation on Future Bar Training, the panel said the change was ‘disproportionate’ and could prevent ‘meritorious’ students from joining the profession at a time when the Bar is seeking to improve access to the profession.
It said there is ‘little or no evidence’ that those who achieve a 2:2 ‘would deliver poor outcome for consumers’ or ‘offer inferior services’.
While the universities classification process might have ‘passed its sell by date’, said the panel, the ‘flaws in the system cannot be used to justify a blanket ban’.
In its response, the Bar Council said that a lower second class degree should remain the minimum requirement.
Importantly, it suggested the creation of a two part Bar Professional Training Course whereby only those who pass the first part may continue to the second, in order to cut down on the number of students paying huge fees and expenses who have no hope of securing a pupillage.
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has warned the Bar’s regulator against increasing the qualification threshold to come to the Bar.
The panel said that increasing the current requirement that students have attained a 2:2 to a 2:1 would ‘unduly restrict access to the profession’.
Responding to the Bar Standards Board’s consultation on Future Bar Training, the panel said the change was ‘disproportionate’ and could prevent ‘meritorious’ students from joining the profession at a time when the Bar is seeking to improve access to the profession.
It said there is ‘little or no evidence’ that those who achieve a 2:2 ‘would deliver poor outcome for consumers’ or ‘offer inferior services’.
While the universities classification process might have ‘passed its sell by date’, said the panel, the ‘flaws in the system cannot be used to justify a blanket ban’.
In its response, the Bar Council said that a lower second class degree should remain the minimum requirement.
Importantly, it suggested the creation of a two part Bar Professional Training Course whereby only those who pass the first part may continue to the second, in order to cut down on the number of students paying huge fees and expenses who have no hope of securing a pupillage.
Now is the time to tackle inappropriate behaviour at the Bar as well as extend our reach and collaboration with organisations and individuals at home and abroad
To mark International Women’s Day, Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management looks at how financial planning can help bridge the gap
Casey Randall of AlphaBiolabs answers some of the most common questions regarding relationship DNA testing for court
Leading drug, alcohol and DNA testing laboratory AlphaBiolabs has made a £500 donation to Beatson Cancer Charity in Glasgow as part of its Giving Back campaign
Girls Human Rights Festival 2025: a global gathering for change
Exclusive Q&A with Henry Dannell
Marking Neurodiversity Week 2025, an anonymous barrister shares the revelations and emotions from a mid-career diagnosis with a view to encouraging others to find out more
Patrick Green KC talks about the landmark Post Office Group litigation and his driving principles for life and practice. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB
Desiree Artesi meets Malcolm Bishop KC, the Lord Chief Justice of Tonga, who talks about his new role in the South Pacific and reflects on his career
Sir Nicholas Mostyn, former High Court judge, on starting a hit podcast with fellow ‘Parkies’ after the shock of his diagnosis
Exclusive QA with Henry Dannell