Our Policy on Moving Between Inns

Introduction

The moving of student members between Inns is not encouraged. Students benefit from building on the links they have made when they first join an Inn. However, in those cases where a student is of the strong view that a change of Inn is the right course for them, they can approach the Inn they wish to join to request membership.

An application can be made for the Qualifying Sessions awarded by the original Inn to be transferred to the new Inn so these can be counted towards the total needed for Call to the Bar. Only those Qualifying Sessions completed under the BSB’s QS Framework are transferable i.e. those delivered by the Inns from September 2020 onwards.

Student members on the Bar course who are considering changing their Inn need to ensure there is no gap in Inn membership. The transfer to the new Inn and the termination of membership of the original Inn must take place on the same day.

 The relevant section of the Joint Inns’ Education & Qualification Rules is set out below:

 19. Student members are only able to withdraw from membership of an Inn of Court to join an alternative Inn in exceptional circumstances. In cases where student members wish to do so they must advise their original Inn in writing. Once a student member has started the vocational component of training for the Bar, they must ensure that there is no gap between ending the membership of their first Inn and the starting of membership of the new Inn.

Protocol

Student members who wish to change Inns must in the first instance approach the Inn they wish to join and ask if they will consider an application for membership. Each Inn will judge each case on its merits. If the new Inn is willing to receive an application for membership the student can then advise their original Inn that they wish to move. The student will then submit an admission declaration to their new Inn. Students who have completed Qualifying Sessions at their original Inn can ask for the Inn to produce a report providing details of the Qualifying Sessions that have been attended. The original Inn will supply the report direct to the new Inn. The new Inn will advise the student once their membership has been confirmed and whether the transfer of Qualifying Sessions has been completed.

The Inner Temple will not refund the admission fee for students transferring between Inns.