*/
Cheaper and more flexible routes to qualification have been mooted in a consultation published by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
Mixing up the academic, vocational and pupillage stages is suggested in a paper that the BSB said could result in the “most sweeping reforms” in a generation.
Focus groups, comprising 51 people, including 21 barristers, set up to inform the paper, agreed that change is needed to address the cost, content and reputation of the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) and lack of pupillages.
One new barrister said: “The BPTC is actually exploitative. Providers don’t care about you, they care about the money.”
The BSB’s Director of Education and Training, Dr Simon Thornton-Wood, said, “We have reached a crucial stage of considering what the future of a more flexible system of training and qualifying might look like”.
The consultation closes on 30 October. A further paper on more concrete reforms will follow in 2016.
Speaking at the Australian Bar Association conference, Bar chairman Alistair MacDonald QC also called for an overhaul of the BPTC to make it cheaper and more flexible.
He said that he supported the idea of the director of the Council of Inns of Court, James Wakefield, to spilt the course into two parts, with the first knowledge-based element delivered online and the second practical part delivered over a shorter period than at present.
MacDonald said: “I have every reason to believe that this system will be accepted and will become available in the foreseeable future.”
Meanwhile, the Bar Council has brought forward the opening of the Pupillage Gateway – the online application system – from April to January so that candidates know if they have secured pupillage before committing to the BPTC.
Cheaper and more flexible routes to qualification have been mooted in a consultation published by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
Mixing up the academic, vocational and pupillage stages is suggested in a paper that the BSB said could result in the “most sweeping reforms” in a generation.
Focus groups, comprising 51 people, including 21 barristers, set up to inform the paper, agreed that change is needed to address the cost, content and reputation of the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) and lack of pupillages.
One new barrister said: “The BPTC is actually exploitative. Providers don’t care about you, they care about the money.”
The BSB’s Director of Education and Training, Dr Simon Thornton-Wood, said, “We have reached a crucial stage of considering what the future of a more flexible system of training and qualifying might look like”.
The consultation closes on 30 October. A further paper on more concrete reforms will follow in 2016.
Speaking at the Australian Bar Association conference, Bar chairman Alistair MacDonald QC also called for an overhaul of the BPTC to make it cheaper and more flexible.
He said that he supported the idea of the director of the Council of Inns of Court, James Wakefield, to spilt the course into two parts, with the first knowledge-based element delivered online and the second practical part delivered over a shorter period than at present.
MacDonald said: “I have every reason to believe that this system will be accepted and will become available in the foreseeable future.”
Meanwhile, the Bar Council has brought forward the opening of the Pupillage Gateway – the online application system – from April to January so that candidates know if they have secured pupillage before committing to the BPTC.
Chair of the Bar Sam Townend KC highlights some of the key achievements at the Bar Council this year
Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management highlights some of the ways you can cut your IHT bill
Rachel Davenport breaks down everything you need to know about AlphaBiolabs’ industry-leading laboratory testing services for legal matters
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management sets out the key steps to your dream property
A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
By Kem Kemal of Henry Dannell
Mark Neale, Director General of the Bar Standards Board, offers an update on the Equality Rules consultation
Joanna Hardy-Susskind speaks to those walking away from the criminal Bar
Imposing a professional obligation to act in a way that advances equality, diversity and inclusion is the wrong way to achieve this ambition, says Nick Vineall KC
Tom Cosgrove KC looks at the government’s radical planning reform and the opportunities and challenges ahead for practitioners
By Ashley Friday of AlphaBiolabs
