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Qualifying Session Requirements

Students must be credited with a total of 10 Qualifying Session points before being Called to the Bar.

 

There are 5 QS themes:

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

 

Students must attend at least 1 session in each of the 5 themes. Please note that a session may be worth more than one point.

 

In addition to this, students must attend at least two Interactive and Advanced Preparation Qualifying Sessions. Please note all interactive sessions also require preparation in advance so you only need to attend two of these sessions altogether, not four)

 

A Qualifying Session event’s themes, points, and location will be clearly advertised at the point of booking.

 

Please note, it is a student’s responsibility to ensure that they attend the required number and type of Qualifying Sessions.

 

All QS points are valid for 5 years from date of attendance.

 

For more information on the Qualifying Session requirements and framework, visit the Bar Standards Board website.

Qualifying Sessions Attendance Guidelines & Rules 

 

Guidelines 

 

Our Qualifying Session events are largely created & led by members of the profession volunteering. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone for giving up their evenings and weekends to help the next generation of barristers. We ask that all our members attending Qualifying Sessions follow the below guidelines, showing respect for our staff, volunteers and other attendees. Everyone’s time is valuable.  

 

Please follow these guidelines when attending Qualifying Sessions: 

  • arrive on time  
  • prepare for each session as directed 

 

Also, at online events we expect that students attending the sessions:  

  • Turn on video cameras when requested, unless you have agreed to have your camera turned off prior to the session with the Event Manager 
  • Use Speaker View in Zoom to respect others privacy and give our volunteers centre stage. 
  • Do not plan to attend a session whilst travelling, working or socialising.  

We expect participants to be prepared to engage with the content and have access to a stable internet connection. 

 

Don’t miss out on a point! 

 

The Inn is required by the Bar Standards Board to monitor attendance at Qualifying Sessions and ensure that the sessions provide a safe & supportive learning environment. 

If you are late, unprepared or disruptive, you may not be awarded the QS point for attending.  

 

Taking the following steps to prepare can help to avoid disappointment: 

  • Read the emails we send ahead of the event.  
  • Check the travel time/public transport updates/parking/WiFi connection/equipment in advance. 
  • Make sure you have completed any preparation and arrive ready to participate. 
  • Test your camera and microphone and any equipment before joining digital calls  

 

Please treat all your booked Qualifying Sessions as a professional commitment. 

 

Read our Qualifying Sessions Attendance Rules below before attending a session. 

 

Qualifying Sessions Attendance Rules 

 

Our attendance rules apply to both in person and online Qualifying Session events. 

 

You will not be awarded a QS point for attending an event if: 

  • You arrive late, leave early or do not participate fully in the session as directed.  
  • You are party to disruptive or unreasonable behaviour that affects trainers, staff or other student members during a Qualifying Session. Please see our volunteers and participant’s code for further clarification on this. 
  • The session is interactive and advanced preparation, and you do not participate in the activities as directed.  
  • Your connection to the session was significantly disrupted and you were not able to stay connected to the call for a reasonable length of time.  

 

Please see our refunds and cancellation policy for details on how to cancel a booking and when a refund may be issued. 

 

Lateness or partial attendance 

Please note: If you are late, leave early or absent (even if due to circumstances outside of your control) you will not be awarded the QS point for the event and you will not be refunded for the ticket cost.  

 

Attendance includes any Q&A sessions after talks and panels. Please note that the start and end times of the sessions will be clearly advertised at the point of booking. 

If you are running late, please contact the Event Manager by email or phone to notify them. Their contact details can be found in the confirmation email sent to you prior to the event.  

 

The Event Manager can advise whether you will still be able to attend the session and whether you will still receive the QS point, depending on how late you arrive. Please note that exceptions are made at the discretion of the Event Manager.   

  

Disruptive behavior 

All members participating in Qualifying Sessions are subject to the volunteers and participant’s code. Anyone engaging in behaviour that breaches the above code with be asked to leave/removed from the session and the matter will be dealt with accordingly.  

 

 If we become aware that you are attending an online session in an environment that is likely to be disruptive for you or others, we will remove you from the session and email you to notify you the reason you have been removed from the session.  

 

This can include but is not limited to; 

– operating a vehicle  

– taking part in an activity that would sufficiently distract you 

– if the movement of your camera sufficiently distracts others.  

 

Members can check their attendance record on our website in their members account. Please note that  attendance records may take up to a week to update.  

 

If you have any questions or concerns about the above information please contact qs@innertemple.org.uk