A new two-part version of the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) could be ready as early as next year after the regulator approved a revised set of training rules. This comes after discussions to make the route to qualification as a barrister more flexible and affordable.
According to The Legal Cheek, the Bar Standards Boards has agreed a series of new training rules on Friday to govern the process by which prospective barristers will train and qualify in England and Wales. The regulator confirmed there will now be four approved training pathways. You can view the revised rules here.
One of the options could see students complete a two-part version of the BPTC. Described by the BSB as the ‘four-step pathway’, prospective barristers will still have to pass a law degree, or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and pupillage, but will have the option to tackle the vocational course in two stages.
Commenting on the new bar training rules, BSB Director of strategy and policy, Ewen Macleod said:
“Having finalised the new bar training rules, subject to Legal Services Board approval, is a significant moment in our Future Bar Training programme. We are confident that the new arrangements for training and qualification to become a barrister deliver on our aims to make the system more accessible, affordable and flexible whilst at the same time sustaining high standards. We look forward to working with the profession and education and training providers to implement these new arrangements.”
Find out more on Legal Cheek’s website.
