FAQs
Quick Links: Joining the Inn | Ongoing Schemes | Qualifying Sessions & Call | Overseas Barristers | Becoming a Barrister |
Pupillage | CPD |
Tours of the Inn | Scholarships | Parking at the Inn | Other Questions
How to Use this Site
The site is devided into five main sections: About The Inner Temple, Education & Training, Room Hire & Banqueting, the Members' Area and the Inn Store.
The Banqueting area is a self-contained microsite but all other areas of the site also have links to several pages which are constant. These are found along the top, horizontal navigation bar: FAQs ||Links || Location || Enquiry & Application Forms || Contact || Disclaimer. The left-hand vertical navigation gives access to pages within a particular section and changes appropriately as well as constant links to other sections or sub-sections.
Joining the Inn
When should I join?
You need to join by May 31st in the year that your BVC starts. You may join the Inn at anytime from the first year of your LLB onwards. Please note that if you have a criminal record, a County Court Judgment, a Caution or have ever been bankrupt, you will need to apply as early as possible, as your application has to go before a committee.
How much does it cost?
The one off fee is £85. This is for lifetime membership of the Inn.
Can I join the Inn if I have a previous conviction?
The Inn does consider applications from people with previous convictions. However, the process will take longer, as the application will go before the Masters of the Bench on the Admission and Call Committee. They will decide whether you can be admitted to the Inn.
You must complete an additional form which will ask for more details about the offence. Please contact Jude Hodgson (tel: 020 7797 8206)
Do I need to join before applying for a scholarship?
You needn't join before applying, but if you are awarded a scholarship or prize you must join the Inn before accepting any money. Applicants for Inner Temple Awards may not be a member of any other Inn.
Who should I get references from?
You need two references from professional people (e.g. teachers, barristers, doctors, accountants etc) that have known you for at least one year.
I have an overseas qualification - can I join the Inn?
You need to contact the Bar Standards Board, as they will be able to inform you of all the requirements (academic and professional) that will be necessary for you to be called to the Bar. Please contact Steve Behr (tel: +44 (0) 20 7611 1444). Please see www.barstandardsboard.org.uk for more information.
What differentiates the Inns? How should I choose which one to join?
The four Inns are all basically the same and we all offer very similar educational events. Ideally you should look around the Inns and see which one has the atmosphere that appeals to you most. Also, take a look at the scholarships that the Inns offer and compare them.
Please note that the Inns are not differentiated by areas of law. Each Inn covers all areas (Family, Criminal, Commercial etc).
You may only apply to join one Inn.
Ongoing Schemes
Can I get involved with any of the E&T schemes before my BVC year?
As soon as you are a member you can get involved in the Sponsorship Scheme.
Qualifying Sessions & Call
How many sessions do I need to complete to be Called to the Bar?
You need to have 12 qualifying session points*. These can be completed right up to your Call date (i.e. not before you apply to be called). Call night will count as 1 point so before being called you should have 11 points.
(*At present, this is subject to change in the future)
Can I make up extra qualifying session points after being called?
No. You must have 11 points before being called.
I am a transferring solicitor, how do I go about being called to the Bar?
You must join the Inn at least one month before you wish to be called. Please note that it takes approximately one month for an application to be processed.
Please see also the Call Guidelines
Can I attend dinners before my BVC year starts?
Yes, you can start dining as soon as you become a member. However, please note that for dinners to count as qualifying sessions they must be within two years of being called.
Practising Overseas Barristers
I am a practising barrister abroad, can I be called to the Bar in England?
If you have been practising as a lawyer in your own country for 3 years or more then you need to contact Lucy Mersh on LMersh@BarStandardsBoard.org.uk or tel: +44 (0) 20 7611 1444 at the Bar Standards Board to find out whether you are eligible to be called to the Bar in England. Please see www.barstandardsboard.org.uk for more information.
Becoming a Barrister
What chance do I have of becoming a barrister?
It is a small and competitive profession. It is best to be realistic but if you are determined to succeed, then you can. In order to see what life at the Bar is really like, you need to undertake mini-pupillages, court visits and as much other legal experience (including working in a solicitor's firm or Citizens Advice Bureau etc) as you can. Also, experience of mooting and debating or other public speaking is useful, as is success in e.g. acting, journalism, writing, politics and so on.
Please look at the Bar Standards Board website for more information.
Pupillage
How long is my BVC qualification valid to begin pupillage?
The BVC qualification is valid for 5 years from your Call date.
What advice can you offer on gaining pupillage?
We organise Pupillage Advice Evenings. We invite a number of barristers to these evenings who practise in a variety of areas of law. The aim of this is to give students the opportunity to talk informally to practitioners on a one-to-one basis about different areas of law and to receive advice on the most appropriate chambers to which they should apply. Details of the next advice evening will be advertised nearer the time.
We recommend that students apply for our Sponsorship Scheme. Please note that this is subject to availability and that priority is given to current BVC students.
We also run a Mock Interview Scheme, which may help you if / when you secure a pupillage interview.
If you would like to sign up for the Pupillage Advice Evening or Sponsorship Scheme or Mock Interview Scheme please contact Katherine Allen: kallen@innertemple.org.uk or 020 7797 8211.
If you would like to sign up for the Mock Interview Scheme please contact Luci Parnell: lparnell@innertemple.org.uk or 020 7797 8262.
How do I register my pupillage with the Bar Standards Board?
As soon as you have details of your pupillage, please register the details with the Bar Standards Board using Schedule 14 Part 1A. This is available to download from
Which courses do I have to complete during pupillage?
Pupils are required to complete a compulsory advocacy training course (offered by all the Inns of Court and the Circuits) and an Advice to Counsel course (offered by the Bar Standards Board). Further details of the Inner Temple advocacy course are available on this website. A full qualification certificate will not be issued at the end of pupillage unless these requirements have been met. Barristers are also required to undertake a forensic accountancy course (details from the Bar Standards Board) during pupillage or during the first three years of practice.
What is a mini-pupillage and how do I organise one?
A mini-pupillage is an opportunity for you to spend time in a set of Chambers and see at first hand the day-to-day life of a barrister. To organise a mini-pupillage, you should apply directly to chambers enclosing a copy of your CV and specifying the dates you are available. Please visit www.pupillages.com and click on the pupillage listings section of the site. There you will find an A-Z listing of all Chambers and each Chambers Record will list whether mini-pupillages are available.
CPD
What is the CPD requirement for New Practitioners?
New Practitioners are required to complete a minimum of 45 hours of Continuing Professional Development within the first three years of practice. This must include at least 9 hours of advocacy training, at least 3 hours of ethics training and at least 33 hours of other CPD activities. If the Forensic Accountancy course was not completed during Pupillage this will be added to your NPP requirement.
When does the New Practitioners’ programme three year period begin?
The three year period begins at the start of either a 3rd six, squatting, tenancy or, if in employed practice, from the day that you start with a firm, as long as you have a practising certificate.
What is the CPD requirement for Established Practitioners?
All barristers (including those who have completed the New Practitioners Programme) are required to complete the Established Practitioners' Programme. This consists of at least 12 hours of other CPD activities per year, 4 hours of which must be on Accredited courses.
How do I find out about CPD courses?
New Practitioner Advocacy and Ethics courses are offered by all the Inns and Circuits (further details of the Inner Temple courses are on this website). Other CPD Courses are listed on the online CPD courses database at www.barstandardsboard.org.uk
What happens if a barrister fails to complete the CPD requirements?
Those Barristers who fail to meet the requirements and have not been granted an extension will be put forward to the Professional Conduct and Complaints Committee.
Tours of the Inn
How do I book a tour of the Inn?
Please contact Eamonn O'Reilly, Scholarships & Recruitment Officer on 020 7797 8210.
Scholarships
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