You are required to attend 12 qualifying sessions before you can be Called to the Bar. This is laid down in the Bar Training Regulations. Qualifying sessions at Lincoln's Inn are a mixture of dining in Hall and other education-focused activities, such as advocacy workshops and residential weekends.  You may complete as many qualifying sessions as you wish but only six per term (Michaelmas, Hilary, Easter & Trinity) will be counted.  Please note that should you be allocated a place on a residential wekend, or other acitivity which counts as qualifying sessions, dinners that you have already booked can be cancelled if you wish.

Attendance at the Call ceremony and dinner counts as the 12th qualifying session.  Every student who is being Called to the Bar (with the exception of those who are being Called in absence) must dine on their Call Night.  Any student who does not comply with this requirement may have their Call revoked.

(a) Dining

Booking Dining

Booking generally opens approximately three weeks prior to the commencement of each dining term.  Please see the diary of events at the end of this handbook for the dates.

Rani Batra is the Dining Officer and is responsible for the bookings system for the dining qualifying sessions.  The Student Dining Office is open for ticket bookings between 10.00 am - 12.30 pm and 1.00 - 3.30 pm only (Monday to Friday).  Tickets can be collected and enquiries made from 10.00 am - 5.00 pm (Monday to Friday).  

Student Dining can be booked in three ways; online via the Inn’s website, in person at the Treasury Office or by post using a booking form.  No bookings are taken over the telephone. 

A detailed list of dates for each dining period is available from the Dining Officer or via the Inn’s website approximately 15 working days before the beginning of each Dining Term.

Booking Online

The Online Booking System can be accessed through the Inn’s website on the Student Dining page.  If you wish to book dining events online, you should contact the Dining Officer via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so that you can be issued with a unique Username and Password.

Payment is made using the PayPal system which accepts all major Credit and Debit cards.  Tickets can either be posted to your address the next day or collected from the Treasury Office.  If the event date is too close, tickets will need to be collected from the Treasury Office.  Any cancellations must be made through the Dining Officer and can be done via telephone or email.  Please note that up to 5% as a handling fee will be deducted from any refunds.

Booking in person at the Treasury Office

London based students who wish to book in person are encouraged to collect booking forms from the Treasury Office approximately 15 working days before the commencement of each dining term. The forms are issued using a colour-coded system.  When you collect your form, it will indicate on the front the date on which you can return to the Treasury Office to book your dinners.  Please note you can only book on the date that you have been allocated.  If you do not turn up to book on that date, you will have to wait until the following day during the dining office hours to book, and your choice of dates will therefore be reduced.  Your student admission card must be produced when booking. You may book on behalf of one other student using a separate booking form.

Accounts may be paid by cash or cheque or, if in excess of £5.00, by credit card.  Acceptable credit cards are Debit, Switch, MasterCard, Access and Visa but NOT American Express or Diners.  Students may settle accounts for dining charges in person at Reception. 

Cheques should be made payable to “Lincoln's Inn”.  Please note: cheques which are not honoured and returned by the bank will carry a £5.00 administration charge.

Postal Booking

For those students attending a BPTC Provider outside London, booking forms can be sent through the post, upon request.  Please note that forms will be sent out to the Student Representatives approximately three weeks in advance of the date on which tickets go on sale at the Treasury Office.  London based students who wish to book by post may do so, but booking forms will only be sent out two to three days before tickets are generally made available at the Treasury Office.  Booking forms may also be downloaded from the Inn’s website.

If you would like to book dining by post, please send a stamped self addressed envelope to the Dining Officer and the details will be forwarded to you when they become available.  Completed booking forms must be sent back by post, together with the correct payment by cheque or postal order and a stamped addressed envelope (SAE).  If the payment is incorrect places will be reserved but not confirmed until the correct payment is received.  Please note, if you do not send a SAE then your tickets will be left in the Treasury Office for collection during the office hours Monday to Friday, 10 am - 5 pm. Postal booking forms will not be accepted over the counter.

Students must complete the booking form in their own name to obtain a dining ticket. All dining tickets must be purchased through the Dining Officer.  Students are not allowed to sell their dining tickets to other students.

Completed dining booking forms, cheques and an SAE should be sent to the Dining Officer at the Treasury Office (full address at the front of this handbook).

Cancellations and Refunds

If you wish to cancel a booking, notice must be given to the Dining Officer by 3.30 pm on the previous working day.  Failure to do so will mean that the occasion will not count as a qualifying session and no refunds will be given. In order for a refund to be issued cancelled tickets must be returned to the Dining Office within the dining term.  Cancellations will be accepted by telephone on 020 7405 1393 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  

If you are unable to attend a qualifying session and wish to apply for a refund you should write to the Deputy Under Treasurer (Education) at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. immediately, outlining the reason and providing as much detail and evidence as possible.  Only in exceptional circumstances will a refund be provided.  In the case of illness a doctor’s certificate will be required.

Please note that should you be allocated a place on a residential weekend or other activity which counts as qualifying sessions and have already booked dinners that would take you to the limit for that term, the dinners can be cancelled if you wish, within the usual cancellation period and procedure mentioned above.

Menus

There will be alternatives given for the fish and meat courses and you are asked to select the alternative you would like.  If you have a special dietary requirement you must indicate on the booking form or in the dietary requirements section if booking online.  If you have any allergies you must provide the Inn with a comprehensive list of these at the time of your first booking.  The chefs will do their utmost to accommodate your requirements.

Kosher meals are not provided by the Inn but students are permitted to bring their own Kosher meal into Hall during dining term. Please check with the Dining Officer prior to making this arrangement.

Please note, that Halal meat is served on certain evenings and these dates will be identified on the booking form and on the online system.

Types of Dining Occasions

• Ordinary Dining Nights: On these nights Students, Barristers and Benchers dine on separate tables.  These dinners are preceded by a short talk or concluded with a debate, for which you must be present.
• Grand Days and Guest Nights: On Grand Days and Guest Nights students may bring one guest; on Family Guest Nights two guests may be invited. 
• Sunday Lunch: Sunday lunch is held after Chapel.  During dining term and on the first Sunday in the Michaelmas Term this will count as a qualifying session.  Students and their guests must arrive by 12.45 pm but all are welcome to join the Benchers and Barristers for drinks before the meal.  Students will be advised of the timing of the drinks reception at the time of booking. Students are welcome to attend Chapel beforehand but are not required to do so.  Students may bring two guests.
• Domus Dinners: There are a number of Domus Dinners during the year.  Domus means ‘home’.  On these nights there is a table plan and the Bench, Bar and Students dine together.  Drinks are served to all students in the Bench Rooms before dinner, when they can meet members of the Bench and Bar.  Every student should try to dine on at least one Domus Night as this gives an opportunity to talk in an informal setting with those in practice.
• Sponsorship Night: Students are able to dine with their Sponsor on these evenings.  Drinks are served to all students in the Bench Rooms before dinner, when they can meet Sponsors and Benchers.  Please see page 18 for details of the Sponsorship Scheme.
• Black Tie Dinner: This is a special ‘black tie’ dinner held during the Trinity Term.  Up to three guests may be invited and a reception will be held on the terrace or the Bench Rooms (according to the weather), followed by dinner in the Great Hall.  Dinner is followed by dancing.  There is a seating plan; students will be sat with their guests on tables with the Bench, Bar and their guests.

Times

Evening dining on all occasions is at 6.30 pm for 7.00 pm, except for the Black Tie Dinner and Guest Nights which are 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm and Grand Day and the Education Days which are 6.15 pm for 6.45 pm.  On most Sundays during the legal term services are held in the Chapel at 11.30 am.  All students are welcome to attend.  You do not have to give notice of your intention to attend these services.  On a number of Sunday’s throughout the year, lunch is served at 12.45 pm.  Students must book for lunch in advance. Students are expected to arrive promptly for dining, so you should allow ample time when travelling to the Inn.

Dress

The dress code for dining is basically what you would be permitted to wear in Court.  Gowns must be worn.  These are provided on arrival at the South end of Hall.

Male Students: Dark lounge suit, plain shirt and sober tie. Jackets must be worn at all times. For the Students’ Black Tie Dinner – a dress shirt with a bow tie and a dinner jacket.

Female Students: Dark trouser or skirt suit with a plain shirt. Plain dark dress (sleeved or sleeveless dresses must be worn with a jacket).  For the Students’ Black Tie Dinner – a cocktail or evening dress.

Dress for guests is informal but gentleman guests must wear jacket, shirt and tie.  Guests do not wear gowns.  No jeans or leggings.  Genuine dark-coloured ethnic dress is permitted.

Drinks before Dinner

The Members Common Room (MCR) is open before and after dinner for the purchase of drinks.  There are drinks receptions for Benchers, Barristers and students in the Bench Rooms prior to Sponsorship and Domus Nights and Sunday Lunch.

Dining Customs

The purpose of dining in Hall is to introduce the student to the social, educational and collegiate life of the Inn of which he/she is a member.  Please note the following customs:

• Barristers and students stand while the Benchers enter and leave the Hall, and it is customary for each Bencher to bow as he/she enters and leaves the Hall.  All members are expected to bow in reply.
• It is customary that no one enters or leaves Hall while the Benchers are present except by permission of the Treasurer, the request to be conveyed by the Butler.  If you arrive late, your name will be taken and you must write to the Under Treasurer setting out the reasons for your lateness.  He will then decide whether your reason for being late is exceptional.  Where it is not you will not be credited with a qualifying session whether you have dined or not.
• The Inn provides student gowns, which must be worn throughout dinner in Hall during dining term.  These must be returned to the appropriate place at the end of the meal.
• The memorial mess is a group of four places at the head of the Bar table which is set aside in memory of those who died in both World Wars.  No one sits in it or borrows cutlery or crockery from it.
• All diners are seated in groups or ‘messes’ of four.  The person nearest the top of the table on the right hand side of each mess is the Captain.  The Captain serves him/herself first and then passes the food anti-clockwise.  The Junior, who sits beside the Captain, serves him/herself last.
• On occasions when the Loyal Toast (the toast to the Queen) is proposed in Hall (usually Domus or Call Nights) it is by tradition proposed and drunk seated.  This privilege has been enjoyed by the Inn since the days of Charles II. 
• The Captain of each mess is under an obligation to see that the customs are observed by the members of the mess.
• It is customary and polite for conversations within messes to be carried out in a language which is understood by all members of the mess.  It is also customary and polite not to use mobile phones during dinner either for calls or texts.  If you have an emergency and make this known on arrival an exception may be made for you to take calls during dinner; otherwise use of mobile phones during the dinner is not permitted.  Leaving the Hall or using your mobile phone during dinner without permission will lead to your name being taken by the staff on duty.  You will then be required to write to the Deputy Under Treasurer (Education) to explain your actions.  In these circumstances, your qualifying session may not count.
• Those students who do not wish to be served alcohol during dinner should turn over one of their glasses.  This will indicate to the waiting staff that they do not wish to be offered or served any alcohol during the meal.
• Students will not be seated at the Bar Table unless by special invitation or when dining with their Sponsor.
• Smoking is not permitted within the Inn’s buildings. 
• Students must show their dining ticket on entry to the Hall and place it in view on the table in front them so that the staff can see what menu options, if any, have been selected.  Any student failing to bring their ticket will have to ask the Butler for a replacement to display.  The Butlers will have a list of the students who have booked and their chosen options, so failure to produce a ticket will not achieve a change of option.

Dining Charges

Dining charges with effect from 1 October 2011:

N.B: Guest tickets for Sunday Lunch and the Black Tie Dinner are the same price as Student tickets.

During their BPTC year, students can bring one guest on two occasions at a reduced rate (a discount of £5.00 for each guest). Students on the part-time course can bring one guest at a reduced rate on two occasions during the course of their BPTC.  (Please note this discount does not apply for the Call Ceremony Dinner).

Hardwicke Scholars who dine on Ordinary Nights with no charge are required to pay £7.50 for dining on Guest/Family Guest Nights, Sunday Lunch, Grand Days, Domus and Sponsorship Nights.  They are required to pay £19 for the Students’ Black Tie Dinner.

Other Qualifying Sessions

Introductory Events

There are two Introductory Events held for new BPTC students; one for students studying at London Providers and one for students studying at Providers outside London.  The event for those at London Providers counts as one qualifying session and the two day event for those at Providers outside London counts as three qualifying sessions.

Residential Weekends

The Inn organises four residential weekends a year, at Cumberland Lodge, Windsor Great Park, in October and June, and at West Dean College, Chichester, in November and January.   Students are only allowed to attend one of these weekends.  Due to the popularity of the weekends, selection is by ballot.  Students can register for the ballot by completing the application form on the Residential Weekends page of our website.  This page is located in the Student Dining sub-section of the Education area. Registration sheets are also available at the Treasury Office.  Dates for the weekends, including the dates of when the ballots open and close are shown in the Diary of Events in this handbook.  Notices will also be put up at the Inn and sent to the Student Representatives at each of the BPTC Providers.

The cost of each residential weekend is £60 which covers accommodation, meals and coach travel from the Inn. The programme at each weekend consists of talks, advocacy exercises and pupillage advice sessions.  Benchers, Barristers and guests also attend the weekend and, as such, the weekends provide students with an excellent opportunity to meet other members of the Inn in an informal and congenial way.  Each weekend counts as three qualifying sessions.  

Advocacy Workshops

Each year, the Inn organises Advocacy Workshops, held at the Inn for London-based BPTC students and also at each of the Providers outside London.  Civil and criminal exercises are provided and it is a good opportunity for students to get on their feet in front of a senior barrister or judge. There are two sets of London workshops, held in the Michaelmas and Hilary Terms.  The dates of the London Michaelmas workshops are 23 November (Civil Advocacy) and 5 December (Criminal Advocacy). Details of how to book will be advertised at the Introductory Afternoon.  The dates for the Hilary Term workshops will be advertised nearer the time. Student Representatives at the Providers outside London are responsible for organising their workshops and should liaise with their Link Bencher.  The Education Department will assist where necessary.  The workshops count as one qualifying session. 

Education Days

These days are for students studying at BPTC Providers outside London only.  Students are strongly encouraged to attend both the Education Days, which will be held on 20 February and 19 March 2012.  A buffet luncheon will be available from 1 pm - 2.15 pm, free of charge.  The programme of talks in the Great Hall will start promptly at 2.30 pm and will be followed by a reception and a Domus Dinner in Hall.  Full details of the programme will be published nearer the time and sent to the Student Representatives at each Provider.  All those wishing to attend each Education Day and Dinner must book through the Dining Officer or online (as for normal dining) with payment.  Education Days count as two qualifying sessions each.  Please note that students attending part-time courses can attend only two Education Days in the duration of their course.

Local qualifying sessions

In addition to the Advocacy Workshops which are held locally for students studying at BPTC Providers outside London, students at these Providers can also gain one qualifying session for attending their Provider’s annual dinner.  It is also possible to arrange additional local qualifying sessions. These are organised by the Inn’s Student Representatives and need prior approval from the Inn.

                                                                                                     
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