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.  If you commenced the course prior to September 2020, you are required to complete twelve qualifying sessions. Student members one year prior to the bar course may complete two qualifying sessions, not including advocacy and ethics workshops. 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 Training Course and network with a variety of members of the Inn. Please do not leave it too late to complete your qualifying sessions as this may affect the date on which you can be called to the Bar.

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 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. For students that started the course in 2019 or earlier, there is no obligation to do so but we would strongly encourage you to attend as many types of sessions as possible, in particular the advocacy and ethics workshops. Students must take part in all elements to be credited.