For over six hundred years, the Inns have held exclusive rights to admit candidates to the Bar.
You can apply for Trinity Call during your Bar Course year (or second year of a part-time course). However, there is no requirement to be called directly after the completion of your Bar Course – Student members are required to be Called to the Bar before the end of the first six of pupillage (non-practising period of pupillage) and within 5 years of successful completion of their Bar Course.
In order to be called to the Bar you must have either:
• Completed 10 Qualifying Sessions and passed the Bar Course (For students who commenced the Bar Course prior to September 2020 you must have completed 12 Qualifying Sessions and passed the Bar Course)
• applied to the Bar Standards Board and given permission as a transferring lawyer
When to apply
If you are a current Bar Course student, (full time or on the second year of a part time course), Trinity Call is the earliest Call day you can apply for during your Bar Course year. If you are a first year part time student, you cannot apply until your second year.
If you have completed the Bar Course or have finished the course and are waiting for re-sit results you can apply for any Call day.
If you are a transferring lawyer, you can apply for any Call day. You must complete ten Qualifying Sessions before being called. The Bar Standards Board (BSB) may also require you to sit all or parts of the Bar Transfer Test (visit the BSB website for details).
Dates
There are four Call days per year, you can find out more about how to apply and register your interest online.
The next Call days are:
| Call day | Date | Applications open | Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity | Thursday 18 July 2024 | Closed – reserve list only | Ceremony and reception in The Walks. Age Restriction 11+ | |||
| Deferred Trinity 1 | Wednesday 9 October 2024 | Monday 22 July 2024 | Ceremony and reception in The Hall and LPR. No Age Restriction | |||
| Deferred Trinity 2 | Thursday 17 October 2024 | Monday 22 July 2024 | Ceremony and reception in The Hall and LPR. Age Restriction 11+ | |||
| Michaelmas | Thursday 21 November 2024 | Monday 2 September 2024 | Ceremony and reception in The Hall and LPR. Age Restriction 11+ |
*We operate on a first-come, first-served basis when accepting applications. Once we’ve reached capacity, the application window will be closed. Therefore, we encourage you to apply as soon as the application window opens.
After Call – Regulatory Guidance
You must familiarise yourself with the regulations which apply to unregistered barristers (barristers who do not hold a practising certificate). Guidance is provided by the Bar Standards Board.