For over six hundred years, the Inns have held exclusive rights to admit candidates to the Bar.
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 – being Called counts as one Qualifying Session – 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 | Deadline to apply | Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilary | Thursday 14 March 2024 | Friday 22 December 2023 | Ceremony in Hall, reception in the LPR and Hall | |||
| Trinity | Thursday 18 July 2024 | TBC | Ceremony and reception in The Walks | |||
| Deferred Trinity | Thursday 17 October 2024 | TBC | Ceremony in Hall, reception in the LPR and Hall | |||
| Michaelmas | Thursday 21 November 2024 | TBC | Ceremony in Hall, reception in the LPR and Hall |
*Trinity is the most popular Call day as it is the first opportunity for current Bar students to be called to the Bar. We advise you apply for this Call as soon as possible once the application period has opened.
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.