Important information for pupil barristers coming to the end of their first six

31 March 2010

Categories: News

When the relevant parts of the Legal Services Act 2007 came into force on the 1 January 2010, it became a criminal offence to undertake a reserved legal activity, such as exercising a right of audience, without having in force a valid practising certificate. Therefore second six pupils will require a practising certificate to be legally entitled to exercise a right of audience. The Bar Standards Board will issue a practising certificate to those who have done the following:

completed a first six, this includes completion of the compulsory pupils advocacy course
submitted to the BSB a satisfactorily completed certificate verifying completion of the first six, signed by your pupil supervisor, and
registered a second six with the BSB

Until you have done so, you will not be able to obtain a practising certificate and therefore will not be able to exercise a right of audience as part of your second six. It is essential that you notify the BSB of all changes of pupil supervisor in your first six, as submitting a certificate with different information to our records could result in a delay in issuing your practising certificate. Guidance in relation to these changes can be found on our website: http://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/Practisingcertandcpd/

If you have any queries about these changes, please contact Dawn Elvy, email delvy@barstandardsboard.org.uk