Qualifying Sessions
Student members are required to complete ten compulsory qualifying sessions, during a period of no more than five years, ending on the date on which that person is called to the Bar. All qualifying sessions must be educational and collegiate and complement the Bar Training Course.
Qualifying sessions also offer opportunities to learn more about the profession, meet peers on the Bar Course and network with a variety of members of the Inn.
A Qualifying session is only valid if completed in the five years leading up to the date on which you are Called to the Bar. If the date of an attended Qualifying Session falls outside of this period, then it is classed as expired and cannot be included in your overall Qualifying Session points total.
The Inn’s qualifying sessions fall into one or more of the following categories:
- Ethics, Standards and Values
- Advocacy Skills
- Legal Knowledge, Justice and the Rule of Law
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Preparation for Pupillage, Career Development and Wellbeing
It is now a requirement that all students must complete at least one session from each of these categories and within these two interactive qualifying sessions must be completed. Booking priority for interactive qualifying sessions is given to those who are currently studying the Bar Course. Interactive qualifying sessions can only be completed in-person, they cannot be attended remotely. Students are strongly encouraged to complete their interactive sessions during their Bar Course as it may be difficult to secure places at these events at a later stage. Students must take part in all elements of each qualifying session to be credited.
Qualifying Session Rules for Transferring Lawyers
If you are a transferring lawyer who received approval from the BSB after 1st September 2020 you will be required to complete 10 Qualifying Sessions before being eligible for Call to the Bar. It is now a requirement that all transferring lawyers complete at least one session from each of these categories and within these, two interactive qualifying sessions must be completed. If you are a transferring lawyer and were approved by the BSB prior to 1st September 2020, the rules for your qualifying sessions will remain as highlighted in the letter issued by the BSB to you.
Circuit Qualifying Sessions
Advocacy & Ethics Days
We will be delivering a series of interactive Advocacy and Ethics Days for students studying at providers outside of London. These sessions will allow students to attend within their circuit and gain two interactive Qualifying Session (QS) points, fulfilling the interactive QS requirement for Call to the Bar.
There will be four circuits, with providers grouped as follows:
· Birmingham/Nottingham – Location: Birmingham
· Manchester/Leeds/Liverpool – Location: Manchester
· Bristol/Cardiff – Location: Bristol
· Newcastle – Location: Newcastle
The Advocacy & Ethics Days will take place on Saturdays during the Hilary and Easter terms. Confirmed dates and locations will be communicated to students on circuit in advance.
Collaborative Qualifying Sessions
The four Inns of Court are working collaboratively to deliver a series of Collaborative Qualifying Sessions (QSs) focused on the Ethics, Standards, and Values theme for students on circuit. These sessions will complement each Inn’s standard QS programme and will appear in their respective term schedules.
These sessions will be non-interactive, and further details including dates, locations, and session content will be shared with students in due course.
Please note that these sessions are open only to current Bar Course students and Transferring Lawyers on circuit. Eligible students will be provided with access to book onto the Circuit QSs. We encourage all students on circuit to attend and gain QS points locally, while engaging with members of the regional Bench and Bar.
