Skip to main content

Qualifying Sessions

Qualifying Sessions – September to December 2026

Descriptions and learning outcomes are shown below each event.

22/09/2026
17:00 – 20:00
Introductory Event for London Students – QSIn-person
ThemePreparation for Pupillage, Career Development and Wellbeing
Advanced Prep: YesInteractive: Yes
Description
These events each includes a 1 hour panel talk from senior members and recent students, welcoming the students to the Inn.
Learning outcomes
  • Identify sources for support, social networking and wellbeing provided by the Inner Temple and wider profession.
  • Understand more clearly the educational opportunities and student societies open to them as student members of the Inn and how to access these resources.
  • Feel more confident in their ability to engage in Qualifying Sessions offered by the Inn as a way to augment their Bar Course studies.
Open to
All London Students and TLPs
Cost
£10.80
Qualifying points
1
25/09/2026
17:00 – 20:00
Introductory Event for Out of London Students – QSIn-person
ThemePreparation for Pupillage, Career Development and Wellbeing
Advanced Prep: YesInteractive: Yes
Description
These events each includes a 1 hour panel talk from senior members and recent students, welcoming the students to the Inn.
Learning outcomes
  • Identify sources for support, social networking and wellbeing provided by the Inner Temple and wider profession.
  • Understand more clearly the educational opportunities and student societies open to them as student members of the Inn and how to access these resources.
  • Feel more confident in their ability to engage in Qualifying Sessions offered by the Inn as a way to augment their Bar Course studies.
Open to
All OOL Students and TLPs
Cost
£10.80
Qualifying points
1
26/09/2026
12:00 – 17:00
Michelmas Skills Day – Afternoon Session – QSIn-person
ThemeAdvocacy Skills; Legal Knowledge, Justice and the Rule of Law
Advanced Prep: YesInteractive: Yes
Description
A practical group workshop led by external experts, including opportunities for participation, feedback and improvement, plus a lecture and open Q&A on legal research.
Learning outcomes
  • Feel more confident in their ability to deliver clear and persuasive oral advocacy.
  • Recognise the link between advocacy and performance and apply this to the way they construct their submissions.
  • Feel more confident in their ability to conduct legal research for complex legal cases.
  • Identify the resources available to students and pupils at the Inner Temple Library and online.
  • Identify areas in which their oral advocacy can be materially improved.
Open to
Current Bar Course students and TLPs
Cost
£15.90
Qualifying points
2
26/09/2026
09:00 – 14:30
Michelmas Skills Day – Morning Session – QSIn-person
ThemeAdvocacy Skills; Legal Knowledge, Justice and the Rule of Law
Advanced Prep: YesInteractive: Yes
Description
A practical group workshop led by external experts, including opportunities for participation, feedback and improvement, plus a lecture and open Q&A on legal research.
Learning outcomes
  • Feel more confident in their ability to deliver clear and persuasive oral advocacy.
  • Recognise the link between advocacy and performance and apply this to the way they construct their submissions.
  • Feel more confident in their ability to conduct legal research for complex legal cases.
  • Identify the resources available to students and pupils at the Inner Temple Library and online.
  • Identify areas in which their oral advocacy can be materially improved.
Open to
Current Bar Course students and TLPs
Cost
£15.90
Qualifying points
2
30/09/2026
17:45 – 20:15
Humanitarian Law and Diplomacy Panel Discussion – QSIn-person and Online
ThemeLegal Knowledge, Justice and the Rule of Law
Advanced Prep: NoInteractive: No
Description
International Committee initiative. Hybrid panel discussion chaired by Master Treasurer with Master Amos, Master Pierce and Philippa Webb KC.
Learning outcomes
  • Identify the key opportunities and limitations of international institutions in responding to global crises and geopolitical change.
  • Analyse how different professional perspectives influence decision-making in international affairs.
  • Develop a deeper understanding of the interaction between law, diplomacy and international relations.
  • Reflect on the role of advocates and legal professionals in navigating complex international challenges.
  • Enhance their critical thinking skills.
Open to
Open to: Members of all Inns
Cost
£10.80
Qualifying points
1
05/10/2026
18:00 – 19:00
Reader’s Lecture Night October – QSIn-person and Online
ThemeLegal Knowledge, Justice and the Rule of Law
Advanced Prep: NoInteractive: No
Description

Deprivation of Liberty Orders

Speaker: The Rt Hon Lady Justice Lieven DBE

Learning outcomes
  • Develop further understanding of Deprivation of Liberty Orders.
Open to
All members
Cost
£10.80
Qualifying points
1
06/10/2026
18:00 – 20:00
EDI: Being LGBTQ+ at the Bar, Research and Reality – QSOnline
ThemeEquality, Diversity and Inclusion
Advanced Prep: NoInteractive: No
Description
A panel of experienced practitioners will discuss issues surrounding being LGBTQ+ at the Bar, covering aspects of pupillage, practice and individual wellbeing.
Learning outcomes
  • Identify ways in which to promote diversity in the workplace.
  • Identify LGBTQ+ support networks and initiatives available at the Bar.
  • Discuss equality, diversity and inclusion issues that can arise in the legal profession, from the recruitment stage to long-term practice.
Open to
All current students and TLPs
Cost
£10.80
Qualifying points
1
17/10/2026
11:00 – 15:15
Birmingham Circuit Skills Day – QSBirmingham City Centre
ThemeEthics, Standards and Values; Legal Knowledge, Justice and the Rule of Law; Preparation for Pupillage, Career Development and Wellbeing
Advanced Prep: YesInteractive: Yes
Description

Join us in Birmingham for three skills sessions with our local practitioners and experts:

  • Court Room Skills with a judge
  • Interview and Application Skills Workshops
  • Expert Skills lecture
Learning outcomes
  • Identify ways in which to improve pupillage applications, interviews or the first few days at the Bar.
  • More fully understand proper practice in a court room, specifically communicating effectively with a judge.
  • Discuss a point of law or the profession in more detail, further to the input of our invited expert.
Open to
Current Bar Course Students in Birmingham and Nottingham
Cost
£15.90
Qualifying points
3
19/10/2026
18:30 – 21:00
Mooting Masterclass – QSIn-person
ThemeAdvocacy Skills
Advanced Prep: NoInteractive: No
Description
This masterclass is taught by Master Alastair Hodge – students will be taught mooting skills, preparation, advocacy, timing and how to deal with judicial intervention. The masterclass will be followed by Q&A.
Learning outcomes
  • Describe key skills needed for mooting and advocacy.
  • Reflect on how they can improve their advocacy skills.
Open to
All current students and TLPs
Cost
£10.80
Qualifying points
1
22/10/2026
18:00 – 20:00
EDI: Support and Allyship at the Bar – QSOnline
ThemeEquality, Diversity and Inclusion
Advanced Prep: NoInteractive: No
Description
A panel talk with practitioners experienced in EDI concerns, which will focus on committees and organisations across the Bar, exploring the ways in which support and allyship can be practised across the Bar.
Learning outcomes
  • Gain a greater understanding of support and allyship at the Bar and identify suitable pathways to provide support in appropriate circumstances.
Open to
All current students and TLPs
Cost
£10.80
Qualifying points
1
29/10/2026
18:00 – 20:00
Introduction to Wellbeing – QSOnline
ThemePreparation for Pupillage, Career Development and Wellbeing
Advanced Prep: NoInteractive: No
Description
An experienced member will give a talk on ways in which to preserve individual wellbeing during the Bar Course, pupillage and practice, including advice on techniques to curb stress and ways to maintain a work-life balance.
Learning outcomes
  • Identify ways in which to promote wellbeing in the study/workplace.
  • Use skills and knowledge to support their personal and professional wellbeing.
  • Describe the primary challenges to wellbeing whilst studying for and during practice at the Bar.
Open to
All current students and TLPs
Cost
£10.80
Qualifying points
1
05/11/2026
18:00 – 20:00
Advanced Legal Research Skills – QSOnline
ThemeLegal Knowledge, Justice and the Rule of Law
Advanced Prep: YesInteractive: Yes
Description
This online session will be delivered by Inner Temple librarians and will build on the basic legal research Qualifying Session (although it is not mandatory that students have attended a prior session in order to attend this one).
Learning outcomes
  • Describe how to build on legal research skills they have already acquired.
  • Explain how to undertake legal research expected of Pupils at the Bar.
Open to
All current students and TLPs
Cost
£10.80
Qualifying points
1
05/11/2026
17:45 – 20:15
International Fact-Finding Panel Discussion – QSIn-person
ThemeLegal Knowledge, Justice and the Rule of Law
Advanced Prep: NoInteractive: No
Description
International Committee initiative. In person only panel discussion chaired by Master Yvonne McDermott Rees with speakers Master Kimberly Prost, Master Nazhat Khan and Philippa Webb KC.
Learning outcomes
  • Differentiate between human rights fact-finding, commissions of inquiry and judicial or prosecutorial investigations, and understand their respective roles in international legal proceedings.
  • Evaluate the admissibility, reliability and evidential weight of witness, documentary, digital and open-source evidence in international criminal and public international law.
  • Identify practical approaches to collecting, preserving and presenting evidence in complex international cases, including those involving restricted access, vulnerable witnesses and emerging technologies.
  • Recognise the strategic role of expert evidence and effective fact-finding in meeting the evidential standards applied by international courts and tribunals.
Open to
Open to: Members of all Inns
Cost
£10.80
Qualifying points
1
09/11/2026
18:00 – 19:00
Reader’s Lecture Night November – QSIn-person and Online
ThemeLegal Knowledge, Justice and the Rule of Law
Advanced Prep: NoInteractive: No
Description

Representing Children in the Crown CourtAn exploration of the practical issues that are often encountered when representing children accused of serious criminal offences in the Crown Court.

Speaker: Richard Wright KC

Learning outcomes
  • Develop further understanding of advocacy and procedures regarding children charged with serious offences.
Open to
All members
Cost
£10.80
Qualifying points
1
14/11/2026
11:00 – 15:15
Liverpool Circuit Skills Day – QSLiverpool City Centre
ThemeEthics, Standards and Values; Legal Knowledge, Justice and the Rule of Law; Preparation for Pupillage, Career Development and Wellbeing
Advanced Prep: YesInteractive: Yes
Description

Join us in Liverpool for three skills sessions with our local practitioners and experts:

  • Court Room Skills with a judge
  • Interview and Application Skills Workshops
  • Expert Skills lecture
Learning outcomes
  • Identify ways in which to improve pupillage applications, interviews or the first few days at the Bar.
  • More fully understand proper practice in a court room, specifically communicating effectively with a judge.
  • Discuss a point of law or the profession in more detail, further to the input of our invited expert.
Open to
Current Student Members in Liverpool and Manchester
Cost
£15.90
Qualifying points
3
17/11/2026
18:00 – 19:30
Social Context of the Law – QSIn-person and Online
ThemeLegal Knowledge, Justice and the Rule of Law
Advanced Prep: NoInteractive: No
Description
Learning outcomes
  • Have a better understanding of the law and how working in IHL requires recognition of realities not often encountered in domestic courts and a willingness to work in environments where failures of the law may sometimes have to be accepted as beyond lawyers alone to remedy.
Open to
Cost
£10.80
Qualifying points
1
28/11/2026
09:00 – 11:00
Applied Advocacy – Group A – QSIn-person
ThemeAdvocacy Skills
Advanced Prep: YesInteractive: Yes
Description
Students will arrive and be divided into small groups to go through an advocacy exercise (prepared ahead of time) with an experienced practitioner. The session will involve pre-prep, discussion and oral performance, with feedback.
Learning outcomes
  • Identify areas in which their oral advocacy can be materially improved.
  • Work with greater confidence on legal problems and pieces of advocacy provided at short notice.
Open to
All current students and TLPs
Cost
£10.80
Qualifying points
1
28/11/2026
11:30 – 13:30
Applied Advocacy – Group B – QSThe Inner Temple, London
ThemeAdvocacy Skills
Advanced Prep: YesInteractive: Yes
Description
Students will arrive and be divided into small groups to go through an advocacy exercise (prepared ahead of time) with an experienced practitioner. The session will involve pre-prep, discussion and oral performance, with feedback.
Learning outcomes
  • Identify areas in which their oral advocacy can be materially improved.
  • Work with greater confidence on legal problems and pieces of advocacy provided at short notice.
Open to
All current students and TLPs
Cost
£10.80
Qualifying points
1
15/12/2026
17:30 – 19:30
Ethics in Practice – QSOnline
ThemeEthics, Standards and Values
Advanced Prep: YesInteractive: Yes
Description
An experienced practitioner will lead an interactive discussion on a variety of ethics scenarios. Students will be encouraged to participate in open discussions on the different ethical principles raised by legal scenarios.
Learning outcomes
  • Identify and apply core duties to ethical challenges faced by barristers.
  • Respond more confidently to time-sensitive and complex dilemmas in the legal workplace.
  • Describe the support resources available to practising barristers when grappling with complex ethics issues.
Open to
All current students and TLPs
Cost
£10.80
Qualifying points
1

More Information

Accessibility and adjustments

Please see our reasonable adjustments policy for more information.

Cancellations and refunds

Please see our cancellations and refunds policy for more information.

Dietary requirements

If you have any specific dietary requirements on ethical or medical grounds, which are not already listed on the portal when you make your booking, please add them.

Attendance at qualifying sessions

Please see our Attendance Guidelines and Rules.

Cancellations should be made in good time.

Please notify us if you are running late.

Pre-Pupillage Handbook for further information.

Dress codes

Please see our Pre-Pupillage Handbook for general information on our dress codes. If there is a specific dress code it will be indicated either at the point of booking or in follow up confirmation emails from the Pre-Pupillage team.

The event is fully booked, what do I do?

If there are no tickets available under your allocated ticket type, please follow the link to the waiting list that is included in the description of the event.

Contact Information

Qualifying Sessions Team

Email

qs@innertemple.org.uk

Phone

020 7438 2311