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What are Qualifying Sessions?

Qualifying Sessions form a vital part of a student’s journey in training to become a barrister. All students who undertake vocational training for the Bar are required to be members of an Inn. Qualifying Sessions, which take place alongside a student’s vocational training, provide opportunities for professional and ethical development. This also complements and builds on a student’s academic and vocational education, forming a bridge to the final component of Bar training: pupillage. Qualifying Sessions also provide opportunities for a student to enhance their understanding of the role of barristers in the wider justice system and the rule of law.

Through the provision of both practical and knowledge-based sessions, delivered by specially selected and trained members of the profession and experts, the Inns help equip students to undertake the next stage of training and to be fit and proper to serve the public as barristers. The links made with the profession through the Inns provide students with a foundation for pupillage and work-based learning but also for a career at the Bar thereafter.

Qualifying Session Requirements

Students commencing the Bar Course must complete ten Qualifying Sessions in order to be Called to the Bar (please note that the Call to the Bar ceremony itself does not count as a Qualifying Session). Students must attend a minimum of one session under each of the themes outlined below and at least two sessions must be interactive and require preparation in advance (NB: all interactive sessions also require preparation in advance so you only need to attend two of these sessions altogether, not four). Students can contact the Education and Training Department if they have questions about these requirements.

The Inn's Qualifying Sessions are spread across five themes. The themes are:

  • Ethics, Standards and Values;
  • Advocacy Skills;
  • Legal Knowledge, Justice and the Rule of Law;
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; and
  • Preparation for Pupillage, Career Development and Wellbeing.

The Inn recognises that its student members study the vocational qualification component with providers across England and Wales and therefore provides a wide range of Qualifying Sessions at weekends as well as during the week. The Inn provides the opportunity for Bar Course students at providers outside of London to complete up to five in person Qualifying Sessions locally.

Students who began the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) before 1 June 2020 are subject to transitional provisions set out in the joint Inns Qualification and Educational rules.

Please note, it is a student’s responsibility to ensure that they attend the required number and type of Qualifying Sessions. It will be made as clear as possible to you at the point of booking which Qualifying Sessions count for which themes.

Events will be held in person unless noted otherwise – some in person events may also offer hybrid online streaming, and this will be made clear at point of booking. It is vital to take note of the format of events before you book them, as cancellations can cause logistical issues and prevent other students from attending.

Qualifying Session Financial Assistance

The Inn heavily subsidises the cost of its educational provision to ensure sessions are accessible and affordable. However, we understand that now more than ever, many students will find themselves under financial pressure and unexpected financial hardship may make it difficult to acquire the correct number of Qualifying Sessions.

To this end, the Inn provides two forms of financial assistance to Student Members accruing Qualifying Sessions.

These schemes are Qualifying Sessions Grant and the Qualifying Sessions Travel Subsidy.

The Qualifying Sessions Grant is available to assist with the cost of Qualifying Session tickets. 

The Qualifying Sessions Travel Subsidy is available to assist students studying with Bar Course Providers outside of London with the cost of travelling to London for Qualifying Sessions. 

There are separate schemes available for Student Advocacy Weekends. Students booked on to the Student Advocacy Weekends will receive further once places at these weekends are allocated.

Qualifying Sessions Programme September-December 2025 (Michaelmas term)

These events each includes a 1 hour panel talk from senior members and recent students, welcoming the students to the Inn and directing them towards different support schemes, as well as giving general advice on how to get the best out of Qualifying Sessions and their year on the course. This will be followed by a drinks reception and networking opportunities, with stalls for different legal organisations and social groups for students to visit and opportunities to familiarise themselves with the library, the Inn’s educational facilities and Inn staff and volunteers. Volunteers and student speakers at the OOL event will be more circuit-centric, to ensure the event is specifically suitable for the students in attendance.

 

Booking is restricted to Bar Course Students starting in Autumn 2025 or January 2026, as well as TLPs.

 

Learning Aim(s):

- 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

Themes: Management of Pupillage, Career Development & Wellbeing

Interactive: Yes

Preparation in advance required: Yes

Location: In person (The Inner Temple)

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Friday 26 September (OOL Students) or Friday 3 October (London Students)

Time: 17:00 - 20:00

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

Morning students will arrive and be divided into small groups to go through 2.5 hours of practical workshop training in advocacy performance skills, with a focus on how to connect with an audience and use vocal skills and body language to communicate clearly and confidently. Students will be encouraged to use skills typically employed by actors to improve their oral advocacy, with effective use of breath, posture and vocal resonance. They will also examine strategies for overcoming nerves and delivering speeches and submissions with confidence.

After this session, there will be a short coffee break, and then morning students AND afternoon students will attend an introductory lecture to legal research delivered by Inner Temple Librarians. The lecture will include information on how to research UK cases and legislation, decipher legal abbreviations, understand the need to use commentary sources and keep up to date with developments in the legal world.

After the lecture, afternoon students will be divided into small groups to go through the practical advocacy performance workshop.

Learning Aim(s):

- 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

Themes: Advocacy Skills; Legal Knowledge, Justice & the Rule of Law

Interactive: Yes

Preparation in advance required: Yes

Location: In person (The Inner Temple)

Cost: Tier 2 (£15.50)

Date: Saturday 27 September

Time:

MORNING Students

8.30am – Arrival

9am – Performance Skills Workshop

11.30am – Coffee Break

12pm – Legal Research Lecture

1.30pm – Lunch

2.30pm - End

AFTERNOON Students

11.30am – Arrival

12pm – Legal Research Lecture

1.30pm – Lunch

2.30pm – Performance Skills Workshop

5pm - End

Qualifying point: 2

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

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 Aim(s):

- Gain a greater understanding of support and allyship at the bar, be able to identify suitable pathways to provide support in appropriate circumstances

Themes: Equality, Diversity & Inclusivity

Interactive: No

Preparation in advance required: No

Location: Online

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Tuesday 7 October

Time: 18:00 - 20:00

Qualifying point: 1

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

In Person (with hybrid streaming option)

Learning Aim(s):

- tbc

Themes: Legal Knowledge, Justice & the Rule of Law

Interactive: No

Preparation in advance required: No

Location: In person (The Inner Temple) - with a hybrid streaming option

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50) - both in person and online

Date: Wednesday 8 October

Time: 18:00 - 19:30

Qualifying point: 1

Open to: Students and Members

Join us in Bristol for 3 skills sessions with our local practitioners and experts: - Court Room Skills with a judge - Interview and Application Skills Workshops - Expert Skills lecture
Learning Aim(s):
  • 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
Themes: Ethics, Standards & Values; Legal Knowledge, Justice & the Rule of Law; Management of Pupillage, Career Development & Wellbeing Interactive: Yes Preparation in advance required: Yes Location: In person (Bristol Venue tbc) Cost: Tier 2 (£15.50) Date: Saturday 18 October Time: 11.00 - 15:15 Qualifying point: 3 Open to: All circuit students and TLPs

A panel of experienced practitioners will explore the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals at the Bar and draw on findings from the landmark 2017 study Sexuality at the Bar: An Empirical Exploration into the Experiences of LGBT+ Barristers in England & Wales to examine progress toward greater inclusion, the challenges that remain and the availability and impact of institutional support. The panel discussions will last for just under two hours and will be followed by an open Q&A session. Students will have the chance to ask questions either in person or anonymously, depending on comfort levels.

Learning Aim(s):

- 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 longterm practice

Themes: Equality, Diversity & Inclusivity

Interactive: No

Preparation in advance required: No

Location: Online

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Tuesday 21 October

Time: 18:00 - 20:00

Qualifying point: 1

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

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 a Q&A and an optional drinks reception.

Learning Aim(s):

- Describe key skills needed for mooting and advocacy

- Reflect on how they can improve their advocacy skills

Themes: Advocacy Skills

Interactive: No

Preparation in advance required: No

Location: In person (The Inner Temple)

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Tuesday 28 October

Time: 18:30 - 21:00 (includes drinks reception)

Qualifying point: 1

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

An experienced practitioner 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. The talk will last approximately an hour and will be followed by a half hour’s open Q&A session.

Learning Aim(s):

- 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

Themes: Management of Pupillage, Career Development & Wellbeing

Interactive: No

Preparation in advance required: No

Location: Online

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Thursday 30 October

Time: 18:00 - 20:00

Qualifying point: 1

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

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). The topics covered are those that students will need to know about as they prepare for pupillage

Learning Aim(s):

- Describe how to build on legal research skills they have already acquired

- Explain how to undertake legal research expected of Pupils at the Bar

Themes: Legal Knowledge, Justice & the Rule of Law

Interactive: Yes

Preparation in advance required: Yes

Location: Online

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Monday 3 November

Time: 18:00 - 19:30

Qualifying point: 1

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

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 Outcome(s):

- 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 practicing barristers when grappling with complex ethics issues

Themes: Ethics, Standards & Values

Interactive: Yes

Preparation in advance required: Yes

Location: Online

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Monday 10 November

Time: 17:30 - 19:00

Qualifying point: 1

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

To Prorogue or not to Prorogue – Miller II and Mackinnon v Canada

Description: The UK Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of Canada both considered the constitutional question of whether the power to prorogue Parliament was justiciable. They came to different answers to that question. In this Reader's Lecture, the Lady Chief Justice explores the two judgments and they issues they raise for the UK's uncodified Constitution.

In Person (with hybrid streaming option)

Learning Outcome(s):

- Have an understanding about the debates regarding the powers to prorogue Parliament in both the UK and Canada

- Be able to discuss the different conclusions reached and any effect on the UK's codified constitution

Themes: Legal Knowledge, Justice & the Rule of Law

Interactive: No

Preparation in advance required: No

Location: In person (The Inner Temple) with a hybrid streaming option

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50) both in person and online

Date: Wednesday 12 November

Time: 18:00 - 19:00

Qualifying point: 1

Open to: Students and Members

Students can either book for GROUP A or GROUP B.

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 the opportunity to receive feedback and potentially give a second performance (dependent on time

Learning Outcome(s):

- 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

Themes: Advocacy Skills

Interactive: Yes

Preparation in advance required: Yes

Location: In person (The Inner Temple)

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Saturday 22 November

Time:

Group A

9am – 11am

Group B

11.30am – 1.30pm

Qualifying point: 1

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

The Inn hosts three student advocacy weekends a year. The weekends offer the chance to practice your advocacy skills, as well as an opportunity to hear from high profile speakers and experts in the topic under discussion.

In addition, the weekends allow you to explore ethical decision-making in practical settings and offer the chance to gain insight into pupillage applications and interviews.

This event is allocated through a ballot system and details will be sent after the Introductory Evenings have been completed.

Qualifying Sessions Programme January to March 2026 (Hilary term) - NB Programme Subject to Change

Themes: Preparation for Pupillage, Career Development & Wellbeing

Interactive: No

Preparation in advance required: No

Location: Online

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Tuesday 6 January

Timings: tbc

Qualifying point(s): 1

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

Themes: EDI

Interactive: No

Preparation in advance required: No

Location: Online

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Wednesday 7 January

Time: tbc

Qualifying point(s): 1

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

Join us in Manchester for 3 skills sessions with our local practitioners and experts: - Court Room Skills with a judge - Interview and Application Skills Workshops - Expert Skills lecture
Learning Aim(s):
  • 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
Themes: Ethics, Standards & Values; Legal Knowledge, Justice & the Rule of Law; Management of Pupillage, Career Development & Wellbeing Interactive: Yes Preparation in advance required: Yes Location: In person (Manchester Venue tbc) Cost: Tier 2 (£15.50) Date: Saturday 10 January Time: 11.00 - 15:15 Qualifying point: 3 Open to: All circuit students and TLPs

Themes: Legal Knowledge, Justice & the Rule of Law

Interactive: No

Preparation in advance required: No

Location: Online

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Tuesday 20 January

Time: tbc

Qualifying point(s): 1

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

The Inn hosts three student advocacy weekends a year. The weekends offer the chance to practice your advocacy skills, as well as an opportunity to hear from high profile speakers and experts in the topic under discussion.

In addition, the weekends allow you to explore ethical decision-making in practical settings and offer the chance to gain insight into pupillage applications and interviews.

This event is allocated through a ballot system and details will be sent after the Introductory Evenings have been completed.

Join us in Newcastle for 3 skills sessions with our local practitioners and experts:

- Court Room Skills with a judge

- Interview and Application Skills Workshops

- Expert Skills lecture

Learning Aim(s):

  • 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

Themes: Ethics, Standards & Values; Legal Knowledge, Justice & the Rule of Law; Management of Pupillage, Career Development & Wellbeing

Interactive: Yes

Preparation in advance required: Yes

Location: In person (Newcastle Venue tbc)

Cost: Tier 2 (£15.50)

Date: Saturday 7 February

Time: 11.00 - 15:15

Qualifying point: 3

Open to: All circuit students and TLPs

Themes: Tbc

Interactive: No

Preparation in advance required: No

Location: In person and online

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: M0nday 9 February

Time: tbc

Qualifying point(s): 1

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

Themes: Preparation for Pupillage, Career Development and Wellbeing

Interactive: No

Preparation in advance required: No

Location: Online

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Wednesday 11 February

Time: tbc

Qualifying point(s): 1

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

Themes: Legal Knowledge, Justice & the Rule of Law

Interactive: Yes

Preparation in advance required: Yes

Location: Online

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Thursday 12 February

Time: tbc

Qualifying point(s): 1

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

Themes: Ethics, Standards & Values

Interactive: Yes

Preparation in advance required: Yes

Location: Online

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Saturday 14 February

Time: tbc

Qualifying point(s): 1

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

Themes: Advocacy Skills

Interactive: Yes

Preparation in advance required: Yes

Location: Online

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Wednesday 18 February

Time: tbc

Qualifying point(s): 1

Open to: All circuit students and transferring legal professionals

Themes: EDI; Ethics, Standards & Values; Preparation for Pupillage, Career Developent & Wellbeing

Interactive: Yes

Preparation in advance required: Yes

Location: Inner Temple

Cost: Tier 2 (£15.50)

Date: Saturday 21 February

Time: tbc

Qualifying point(s): 3

Open to: All students and members

Join us in Nottingham for 3 skills sessions with our local practitioners and experts:

- Court Room Skills with a judge

- Interview and Application Skills Workshops

- Expert Skills lecture

Learning Aim(s):

  • 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

Themes: Ethics, Standards & Values; Legal Knowledge, Justice & the Rule of Law; Management of Pupillage, Career Development & Wellbeing

Interactive: Yes

Preparation in advance required: Yes

Location: In person (Nottingham Venue tbc)

Cost: Tier 2 (£15.50)

Date: Saturday 28 February

Time: 11.00 - 15:15

Qualifying point: 3

Open to: All circuit students and TLPs

Themes: Legal Knowledge, Justice & the Rule of Law

Interactive: No

Preparation in advance required: No

Location: In person and online

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Monday 2 March

Time: tbc

Qualifying point(s): 1

Open to: All current students and transferring legal professionals

Qualifying Sessions Programme April to July 2026 (Easter/Trinity Term) - NC Programme Subject to Change

Themes: Advocacy Skills Interactive: Yes Preparation in advance required: Yes Location: In Person (The Inner Temple) Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50) Date: Tuesday 21 April Qualifying point: 1 Time: tbc

Themes: Advocacy Skills; Legal Knowledge, Justice & the Rule of Law

Interactive: Yes

Preparation in advance required: Yes

Location: In person (Inner Temple)

Cost: Tier 2 (£15.50)

Date: Saturday 2 May

Qualifying point: 2

Timings: tbc

Themes: Ethics, Standards & Values

Interactive: Yes

Preparation in advance required: Yes

Location: Online

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Wednesday 6 May AND Wednesday 17 June (these sessions are different and students may book one or both)

Qualifying point: 1

Timings:  tbc

The Inn hosts three student advocacy weekends a year. The weekends offer the chance to practice your advocacy skills, as well as an opportunity to hear from high profile speakers and experts in the topic under discussion.

In addition, the weekends allow you to explore ethical decision-making in practical settings and offer the chance to gain insight into pupillage applications and interviews.

This event is allocated through a ballot system and details will be sent after the Introductory Evenings have been completed.

Themes: Advocacy Skills Interactive: No Preparation in advance required: No Location: In Person (Inner Temple) Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50) Date: Tuesday 12 May Qualifying point: 1 Timings: tbc
Themes: Preparation for Pupillage, Career Development and Wellbeing Interactive: No Preparation in advance required: No Location: Online Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50) Date: Thursday 14 May Qualifying point: 1 Timings:  tbc

Themes: Advocacy Skills

Interactive: No

Preparation in advance required: No

Location: Online

Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50)

Date: Tuesday 19 May

Qualifying point: 1

Timings: tbc

Themes: EDI Interactive: Yes Preparation in advance required: Yes Location: Online Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50) Date: Tuesday 16 June Qualifying point: 1 Timings:  tbc
Themes: Preparation for Pupillage, Career Development & Wellbeing Interactive: No Preparation in advance required: No Location: Online Cost: Tier 1 (£10.50) Date: Monday 22 June Qualifying point: 1 Timings:  tbc

More information

Please see our reasonable adjustments policy for more information.

Please see our cancellations and refunds policy for more information.
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.

Please see our Attendance policy in the Student Handbook for further information.

Cancellations should be made in good time.

Please notify us if you are running late.Student Handbook for further information.

Please see our Student 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.

If you are a student, you must book 'Student' tickets for your qualifying sessions until you are called to the Bar. Please note "Pupil" tickets are only available for those undertaking pupillage.

If you are a transferring legal profession, you must book "Member" tickets for your Qualifying Sessions unless advised otherwise. 

If your assigned ticket type is sold out, you must not book another type.

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.

How to book

Bar Course student members will be notified by the Inn when qualifying sessions are open for booking – please do not leave it too late to complete your qualifying sessions as this may affect the date on which you can be called to the Bar. 

Unless informed otherwise, students can book qualifying sessions via the Members Area via the link below. 

Look for events that have a QS next to them. Book your Qualifying Sessions

Click Here