Training during pupillage

We require that all pupils attend an Advocacy Training Course and Practice Management course during pupillage. A full qualification certificate will not be issued at the end of pupillage unless these requirements have been met. Barristers are also required to undertake a Forensic Accountancy Course during pupillage or during the first three years of practice.

 

Advocacy Training

 

All the Inns and circuits provide Advocacy Training Courses for their pupils and they will contact pupils directly with the details. Pupils in London or on the South Eastern Circuit are required to attend the course run by their Inn and pupils on circuit are required to attend the course run by that circuit. Advocacy Training should, except in exceptional circumstances, be completed in the first six months of pupillage. If the course is not completed in the first six months, the non-practising months of pupillage will be extended until the course has been satisfactorily completed.

 

Practice Management Course

 

The purpose of the course is to provide information about a number of matters regarded as essential to those starting out in practice and to help make a bridge between pupillage and practice. There will be lectures, some structured seminars and an opportunity for informal discussion on a variety of topics, including:-

  • Personal and Business Finance 
  • Professional relationships with solicitors
  • Practical advice from the Bench about first appearances in Court

This course is run by the Inns for pupils in London and on the South Eastern Circuit. Pupils outside of London are able to attend a course run by their circuit.
 

Forensic Accountancy

 

The aim of this course is to introduce practitioners to the use of financial and accounting information in practice at the Bar. The course is delivered by the BPP (a leading professional training company) and BDO Stoy Hayward LLP. The aims of the course are:

  • Know what business, financial and accounting documents are relevant for the purpose of litigation
  • Have a basic understanding of standard accounting systems, both documentary and computerised
  • Be able to communicate more effectively with accountants and experts on matters relating to monetary claims 
  • Be more confident in dealing with business, financial and accounting information in practice 

 

Failure to Complete

 

You will not be entitled to a full qualification certificate until you have completed the Advocacy Training courses even if you have completed 12 months pupillage. Without a full qualification certificate you will not be entitled to a practising certificate and so you will not be able to enter into independent practice as a tenant or a squatter or exercise rights of audience as an employed barrister. A pupil who holds himself or herself out as a tenant or squatter before the grant of a full qualification certificate is in breach of paragraph 202 of the Code of Conduct and will be referred to the Professional Conduct and Complaints Committee.