Qualifying Sessions

Students are required to undertake 12 qualifying sessions, in order to be called to the Bar.

These can be completed through attendance at the following:
Call to the Bar

Introductory Evenings

There are two Introductory Evenings at the start of the academic year, one for students studying in London and one for students studying outside London. They take the form of talks from a panel of speakers including the Treasurer, the Chairman of the Education & Training Committee, the Sub-Treasurer and representatives of the Inner Temple student societies. This is followed by a drinks reception with hot canapes.

Attendance at the Introductory Evening counts as one qualifying session and is compulsory. A registration form is sent to all students at the end of July.

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LAMDA Presentational Skills Course

In October, the Inn holds a Presentational Skills Course, run by the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA). The course is run as four session split over two days (Saturday and Sunday). The Saturday is reserved for students studying outside London and forms part of their compulsory introductory weekend (with their Introductory Evening). The Sunday is open to all London students but places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

The course has been designed to complement what is being taught on the BVC and should assist students in building the necessary skills for pupillage. The content concentrates on developing presentational skills and the programme is taught by voice and drama teachers from LAMDA.

The course counts as two qualifying sessions. A booking form sent out to all students in July, with their introductory evening form.

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RADA Training Day

In November, the Inn holds a training day, run by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA). It takes place on a Saturday and is open to all students but places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

It takes the form of three seminars from RADA trainers, including vocal techniques and presentational skills. The course has been designed to complement what is being taught on the BVC and should assist students in building the necessary skills for pupillage.

The course counts as two qualifying sessions. This course is booked via the Michaelmas Term Dining Form.

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Residential Weekends

There are three residential weekends held each year, two at Cumberland Lodge (in Windsor Great Park) and one at Highgate House (in Northamptonshire).

Each weekend has a theme and distinguished speakers from the profession give talks and perform demonstration cases.

Recently we held an Asylum & Immigration Weekend of which one student emailed to say:"I have attended a lot of residential weekends in my previous career but this one beat them all hands down.  Great location, tempo just right, excellent company, stimulating academic content and as for the entertainment, what more can I say!" 

Application forms are given to all students at their Introductory Evening. The weekends are very popular and always over-subscribed so places are allocated by a ballot.

For more information, please contact Jennie Collis.

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Playing Witness/Counsel in Advocacy Courses

Acting as a witness or counsel in advocacy training or pupil mock trials is an excellent opportunity for students to meet senior members of the Inn and discover the finer points of advocacy and witness-handling.

Application forms are given to all students at their Introductory Evening.

For more information, please contact Elaina Soong.

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Education Days

The Inn hosts two Education Days a year. They are compulsory for out of London students. They involve talks with practitioners, mock trials, exercises on advocacy, appeals against sentence, discussion groups, demonstration cases and lectures all performed by leading legal names.

Application forms are given to all students at their Introductory Evening.

For more information please contact Elaina Soong.

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Dining Nights

The 2007/8 Diary of Events offers 22 dining nights and Sunday lunches spread over the year, with the majority of dining offered during Michaelmas and Hilary terms. For all dining enquiries and to book please contact Jacqueline Fenton in the Treasury Office.

Grand Day

Click here for the Rules of Dining

Mixed, Ordinary & Mentors’ Dining Nights
Drinks at 6.30pm followed by a seated hot supper buffet at 7.00pm. There are entertainments after dinner on Ordinary Dining Nights. Sponsors' Dining Nights give students the opportunity to dine with their sponsor but you do not need one to dine.
Dress code: Dark suits and dark shoes (plus dark ties for men) and gowns.

Private Guest Night
Drinks at 7.15pm followed by dinner at 7.45pm. Members of Hall and students may bring a guest to this occasion.
Dress code: Dinner suit and black bow tie for men and cocktail dresses for ladies plus gowns. Students may wear dark suits and gowns if they prefer.

Grand Day
Drinks at 7.15pm followed by dinner at 7.45pm.
Dress code : For students, it is dinner suit and black bow tie for men and cocktail dresses for ladies,
plus gowns for all. (Please check the dining information you receive for updated information on dress code)

Term Sunday Lunch
Lunch is a buffet (similar to weekday lunch) served in Hall. Students attending can arrive between 12.30pm and 1.00pm. There is a family table for members with young families. There are no age restrictions for children and lunch for under 5s is free.
Dress code: Dark suits and dark shoes (plus dark ties for men)

Lecture Night 
The Treasurer or Reader invites a distinguished speaker to deliver a lecture on a Monday night during term. The lecture begins at 6.30pm and usually lasts about an hour, followed by a drinks reception.
Dress code: Dark suits and dark shoes (plus dark ties for men)

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Call Night

Call Night counts as one qualifying session so a student needs to complete 11 other sessions before being called to the Bar. There are four Call Nights each year.

Click here for further information.

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