The Bar Standards Board has today published two important documents which aim to improve the transparency of Bar training.
The BSB’s Bar training report for 2022, is the first in an annual series looking at how Bar Training is delivering on the four objectives of affordability, accessibility, flexibility and high standards set by the BSB in its reforms of Bar training. The report shows that, as a result of the reforms, Bar training is now provided by more providers across more locations. At most course providers the cost of Bar training has fallen in real terms compared to the cost of the previous vocational training course.
The annual Bar Training Statistics Report 2022, which is now being presented in a much more accessible format and includes new material, includes information on the different pathways offered, and fees charged, across the ten currently authorised course providers. The report also covers pass rates across the different providers, as well as statistics on progression into pupillage, broken down both by course provider and degree class. It is principally aimed at providing prospective students with comparable information on the different course providers at which they may be considering studying.
The report shows that, of the first cohort of students to enter the reformed Bar training courses between July and October 2020, 65% have now passed all elements of the course. There are differences between providers, with pass rates varying between 49% and 94%. These numbers may, however, rise as students who have not yet passed do so.
The report shows that outcomes for students at Bar training are strongly correlated with first degree results and, accordingly, the results achieved by providers also reflect the first degrees achieved by their students. The BSB has committed to undertaking a thematic review of providers’ admission policies in the year ahead as part of its commitment to maintaining high standards on Bar training courses.
One of the BSB’s objectives is to improve access to a career at the Bar for those from currently under-represented backgrounds. Access is at the heart of how we approve and monitor training providers. We are particularly keen to ensure that the process of recruitment to pupillage is fair and inclusive and are about to launch a new research project to examine the advantages and disadvantages of different recruitment approaches.
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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
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