*/
The Bar’s regulator published proposals to provide more ‘innovative and flexible’ pupillages and remove barriers to the profession.
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has suggested scrapping the compulsory 12-months of pupillage, leaving the training length up to individual chambers. It also proposed raising the £12,000 minimum award, that must be paid to pupils over the course of their year-long pupillage. The current sum, it said, is below the national living wage, which prevents individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds entering the profession.
The Consultation on Future Bar Training would see a lesser role for the four Inns of Court, removing the need for students to sign up with one before they begin the Bar Professional Training Course, and passing the task of student registration on to the regulator (see: bit.ly/2wTjUSI).
The paper also moots removing the requirement to complete 12 ‘qualifying sessions’, which can include guest lecture events, advocacy workshops, dining sessions and debate nights.
The BSB paper said it ‘understandsthe historic and supportive role played by the Inns’ and ‘has no intention of changing what works well’, but said it wants to ‘deregulate’ these areas.
Its Director of Strategy and Policy, Ewen Macleod, said the BSB wants to ensure the rules governing pupillage and qualification remain ‘fit for purpose over the long-term’, maintaining high-standards of entry, ensuring that a career at the bar is accessible to everyone with the potential. ‘There are a number of possible ways to achieve all of this, so we are keen to hear what people think about the issues,’ he said.
The consultation closes in January 2018 with any new rules coming into effect in 2019.
The Bar’s regulator published proposals to provide more ‘innovative and flexible’ pupillages and remove barriers to the profession.
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has suggested scrapping the compulsory 12-months of pupillage, leaving the training length up to individual chambers. It also proposed raising the £12,000 minimum award, that must be paid to pupils over the course of their year-long pupillage. The current sum, it said, is below the national living wage, which prevents individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds entering the profession.
The Consultation on Future Bar Training would see a lesser role for the four Inns of Court, removing the need for students to sign up with one before they begin the Bar Professional Training Course, and passing the task of student registration on to the regulator (see: bit.ly/2wTjUSI).
The paper also moots removing the requirement to complete 12 ‘qualifying sessions’, which can include guest lecture events, advocacy workshops, dining sessions and debate nights.
The BSB paper said it ‘understandsthe historic and supportive role played by the Inns’ and ‘has no intention of changing what works well’, but said it wants to ‘deregulate’ these areas.
Its Director of Strategy and Policy, Ewen Macleod, said the BSB wants to ensure the rules governing pupillage and qualification remain ‘fit for purpose over the long-term’, maintaining high-standards of entry, ensuring that a career at the bar is accessible to everyone with the potential. ‘There are a number of possible ways to achieve all of this, so we are keen to hear what people think about the issues,’ he said.
The consultation closes in January 2018 with any new rules coming into effect in 2019.
The beginning of the legal year offers the opportunity for a renewed commitment to justice and the rule of law both at home and abroad
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management sets out the key steps to your dream property
A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
By Kem Kemal of Henry Dannell
By Ashley Friday of AlphaBiolabs
Providing bespoke mortgage and protection solutions for barristers
Joanna Hardy-Susskind speaks to those walking away from the criminal Bar
From a traumatic formative education to exceptional criminal silk – Laurie-Anne Power KC talks about her path to the Bar, pursuit of equality and speaking out against discrimination (not just during Black History Month)
Yasmin Ilhan explains the Law Commission’s proposals for a quicker, easier and more effective contempt of court regime
Irresponsible use of AI can lead to serious and embarrassing consequences. Sam Thomas briefs barristers on the five key risks and how to avoid them
James Onalaja concludes his two-part opinion series
