General Information and FAQs

DOWNLOAD OUR FEE PAYMENTS, WAIVERS & REFUNDS POLICY

Our Policy on Application Fee Payments, Waivers and Refunds includes guidance on:

• making application fee payments by bank transfer (BACS) or credit/debit card
• fee waivers
• refunds

Please see the table below for a full list of our current application fees.

We will consider requests for exemption or waiver applications to be prioritised:

• if the outcome is required to confirm registration on a GDL or vocational component Bar Course, or for Bar Transfer Test assessments; or

• if the outcome is required to confirm a pupillage, tenancy, or employment offer; or

• if the outcome is required for an upcoming court appearance (eg authorisation as a licensed access client).

We cannot otherwise guarantee to prioritise any applications, at present.

If you would like your application to be prioritised for assessment, you will need to submit a request (in writing), as follows:

• For Transferring Qualified Lawyer applications, please email [email protected]
• For all other application types, please email [email protected] marked for the attention of the Head of Authorisations

You will need to set out any grounds for the urgent processing of your application and confirm the date by which a decision is required.

If you have already submitted a request for your application to be prioritised, this will be reviewed as soon as possible in order to provide you with an anticipated decision date for your application.

We are working to create a list of documents sent by post in support of applications to the Authorisations Team, which we will now be able to arrange to return.

You can arrange with a member of the team to collect your documents from our office. Please note that we will require a minimum of three days' notice if you wish to collect your documents from the office so that we can ensure that there will be someone available in the office on the day to hand the documents to you.

Alternatively, we can arrange the return of these documents via post. Please note that if you would like your documents to be posted back to you, and you have not already pre-paid the returns cost, you will need to cover the cost of this service.

Please get in touch with the Authorisations Team via email at [email protected] to discuss:

• the document(s) that we have in relation to your application, and
• how you would like your document(s) to be returned to you.

• I was advised that an Officer would contact me about my application - why haven’t I heard anything yet? 

The officer may not have been able to get through on the telephone number we hold, do contact the Head of Authorisations via email ([email protected]) and she will arrange a mutually convenient time to discuss your application with you.

• Why haven’t I received any emails?

We may not have the correct contact information for you – please contact the Head of Authorisations via email ([email protected]).

• I submitted my application more than 16 weeks ago and it still hasn’t been assessed, what should I do?

We apologise for the delay in contacting you. Your application may be queued for assessment or might need further information. Please contact the Head of Authorisations via email ([email protected]) to arrange a discussion about your application.

• I’m waiting to hear, but want to take on pupils, can I advertise?

You can advertise for new pupils while your application is being processed, so long as it is clear that the pupillage is offered subject to your successful authorisation as an AETO.

If you have a concern about a chambers or other organisation that delivers work-based learning (pupillage) training for barristers, please read our guidance on reporting a concern.