Call to the Bar

There are four Call Nights each year (March, July, October and November). In order to qualify for Call a student must have successfully completed the vocational stage and havecompleted the requisite number of qualifying sessions. Call Night counts as one qualifying session (ie your twelfth).

All formalities must have been completed and the application received by the Education & Training Department of the Inn at least two weeks prior to your Call Night or by the specified closing date.

Applying for Call

In the weeks leading up to a Call Night closing date, students wishing to be called to the Bar are required to meet a Master of the Bench who can propose their call.

Once the student has met a Master of the Bench and had the Proposal for the Bar form signed, then the full application should be submitted to the Education & Training Department, with a CV and a cheque for the fee (£75) made payable to the Inner Temple.

Those studying for the BVC should receive information on how to apply for Call and an application form in January of the BVC year. If you have not received an information pack you should contact the Education & Training Department immediately

The 2008 Call Nights are:

  • Trinity Call - Thursday 24 July 2008
  • Deferred Trinity Call - Thursday 9 October 2008
  • Michaelmas Call - Thursday 27 November 2008

Call Night

On Call Night students need to register at Inner Temple Hall at 5pm and their guests need to go directly to the Temple Church. The ceremony begins at 6pm, when the Masters of the Bench process into the Church.

During the ceremony each student's name is called out by the Sub-Treasurer in the order in which they were admitted to the Inn. If a student has gained an Outstanding in the Vocational Course results then their names are put to the top of the list. After all the students have been called, the Treasurer gives a speech.

The ceremony is followed by a champagne reception in the Hall for students, their guests and the Masters of the Bench. The evening usually ends at 8.30pm.

For further information please contact Elaina Soong.

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Dress for Call

Students being Called:

  • Dark suit for men and women
  • Women: White wing-collared shirt/Mandarin Collar Shirt/Ladies Tunic Shirt: all require bands.  Or a Collarette (comes with bands attached) with a top underneath.
  • Men: White wing-collared shirt or a Tunic Shirt: both require bands.

The bands cost approx. £3.95 and may be bought from a number of tailors including:

Ede & Ravenscroft       
93-94 Chancery Lane                                                              
London WC2A 1DU                                                               
Tel. 020 7405 3906                                                               

Stanley Ley
23 Fleet Street
London
EC4Y 1AA
Tel. 020 7353 3533

You do not need a wig or gown (gowns will be provided by the Inn on the day when you register).  Wigs are provided by the photographers for the photos only.  Wigs are not allowed to be worn during the ceremony.

Please contact the tailors directly for any questions on dress.

 

Guests:

Guests do not have to wear dark colours but smart attire is requested.

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