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 for Bar Transfer Test assessments; or

• if the outcome is required to confirm registration on a GDL or vocational component Bar Course; 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) to the Head of Authorisations Operations, providing any grounds for the urgent processing and confirming the date by which a decision is required.

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 Operations 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 Operations via email ([email protected]).

• I submitted my application more than 12 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 Operations 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 continue to advertise and recruit under your current PTO authorisation until 31 March 2024, the team will continue to process your application in the background. The transition process should be seamless and the officer assigned to your application will support and guide through the process.

Please see our detailed guidance on the PTO to AETO transition process.

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.