15 Jul 2020

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has today announced that it has conditionally authorised Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) to deliver the vocational component of Bar training from September.  

Under the new Bar Qualification Rules which came into force last year, all Bar training providers are required to apply to the BSB for authorisation in order to provide Bar training. Today’s announcement means that Manchester Metropolitan University has become an Authorised Education and Training Organisation (AETO) for the provision of vocational training for the Bar. This authorisation is subject to Manchester Metropolitan University entering into a contract with the BSB in relation to the provision of the authorised course - as all AETOs must do - and a number of other conditions relating to the presentation of MMU’s fees and the title of its postgraduate exit award.

The process of authorisation for any potential AETO involves consideration by a BSB panel of detailed information provided by the AETO against the requirements of the Authorisation Framework. Details of all those who have now been authorised, or who are currently in the process of seeking authorisation to provide vocational training are also published on the regulator’s website.

A BSB spokesperson said: “We are pleased to conditionally authorise Manchester Metropolitan University to deliver the vocational component of Bar training. This brings the number of providers up to nine, meaning that from September 2020 students will have more choice than ever before”.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About the Bar Standards Board

Our mission is to regulate barristers and specialised legal services businesses in England and Wales in the public interest. For more information about what we do visit: http://bit.ly/1gwui8t

About the Future Bar Training programme of change

The authorisation of Authorised Education and Training Organisations follows the introduction of new Bar Qualification Rules in April last year which are designed to ensure that training to become a barrister is more accessible, affordable and flexible whilst maintaining the high standards of entry expected at the Bar.

Training for the Bar has three components:

  • Academic – provided by an appropriate Law degree or a Graduate Diploma in Law;
  • Vocational – currently provided by the Bar Professional Training Course which will be replaced by new vocational training courses with effect from September 2020; and
  • Work based – provided by pupillage and potentially also by other forms of work based learning in future

Contact: For all media enquiries call: 020 7611 4691 or email [email protected].

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