The Qualifications Committee of the Bar Standards Board (BSB) deals with applications for admission to the Bar from qualified solicitors, qualified lawyers from Europe or from common law jurisdictions and legal academics.

 

Details can be found at:

www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/qualifying-as-a-barrister/transferring-lawyers/

 

Once permission has been given by the BSB, admission and Call papers can be submitted to the Inn.  Admission and Call papers can be submitted at the same time, however, you must provide evidence of completing any requirements set out by the BSB (such as completion of the Bar Transfer Test) ahead of Call.

 

Admission

Please be aware that admission papers may take up to one month to be processed.

When submitting admission papers; please provide the following:

 

1. Four Inns of Court form
2. Admission Declaration form
3. Certificate of of Good Standing from current authorising body (issued within the last 3 months)
4. Copy of the Bar Standards Board letter (giving permission to join an Inn / outlining requirements for Call)
5. Admission fee of £100 (by cheque made payable to Gray’s Inn)
6. Two passport photos
7. Equal Opportunities form
8. Signed Data Protection Statement

 

 

Call
Complete and correct Call papers must be received at least one month before the desired Call date (papers received after this date may be accepted in exceptional circumstances).

When submitting Call papers please provide the following:

 

1. Petition for Call to the Bar form
2. Call Declaration form
3. Two references (see below)
4. Payment (see below)

There are 4 Call Days each year and, having completed any requirements set out by the Bar Standards Board, you will be eligible to be Called at one of the following:

 

Hilary	Thursday 14 March 2013 Ceremony in Hall & Reception in the LPR & Hall Papers must be submitted by: Thu 14 February 2013
Trinty	Thursday 25 July 2013 Ceremony in Hall & Reception in the Walks Papers must be submitted: Mon 7 Jan 2013 - Tue 30 Apr 2013
Deferred Trinty	Thursday 10 October 2013 Ceremony in Hall & Reception in the LPR & Hall Papers must be submitted by: Tue 10 Sept 2013
Michaelmas	Thursday 28 November 2013 Ceremony in Hall & Reception in the LPR & Hall Papers must be submitted by: Mon 28 Oct 2013

 

Please be aware that BPTC students will be submitting papers throughout the year and there may be waiting lists for popular call days.

Guests
Typically you will be allowed to invite two guests to the Call ceremony & reception (they must be over 11 yrs of age). We will ask you to give us the names and addresses of your guests 1 month before call day.

We fully understand you may want to invite more than 2 guests. If this is very important to you then you should apply for Hilary Call when it is very likely to be possible.

Call in absentia
You will be expected to be Called to the Bar in person. It is possible to be Called in absentia but permission for this is rare. If you wish to be Called in absentia, please contact us to discuss this further.

References
All referees must have known you for a minimum of 12 full months. They should not be related to you. Your referees should be currently working as one of the following and provide the reference on their professional headed paper:

•   Judge
•   Barrister
•   Solicitor
•   Member of Parliament
•   Accountant
•   Secondary school teacher
•   Professor
•   University lecturer
•   Officer of the British armed forces
•   Senior police officer
•   Doctor (who knows you personally and not just as your GP for example)
•   Minister of a recognised religion

References must be on professional, headed paper, dated, signed with an original signature and clearly show the identity and qualifications of the person writing the letter.  

It is possible to use overseas references. In order to do so you must seek permission from the Under Treasurer in writing and this should be submitted with your references when you send in your call papers. The letter should explain why you do not know anyone in the UK who meets the criteria.
 
References must read as follows:

This is to introduce (your name) whom I have known (statement regarding the nature, extent and duration of the referees acquaintance with you). I consider him/her to be in every way a fit and proper person for Call to the Bar.

Please note that references/referees not meeting the criteria above will not be accepted and will be returned to you. Your place on a particular Call will not be confirmed until the papers are in order.

Click here for a Call reference template.

Payment

We will accept cheques or postal orders only.

The costs are broken down as follows:

 

CALL IN PERSON Call fee Your attendance at the reception 2 guests' attendance at the reception

£75 £22 £27 each (optional)

Total: £151

 

Qualifying Sessions
You may be required to complete a number of qualifying sessions following your Call to the Bar.  For more details please visit Qualifying Sessions.