Our New Practitioner Course provides 16 CPD hours in total, which includes 9 advocacy hours and 3 ethics hours. Typically, we run 2 courses per year, one during Hilary term and one during Michaelmas. Additional courses may be added if deemed necessary.
New Practitioner Weekends
Each course offers the following Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours:
- 9 advocacy
- 3 ethics (online session preceding the weekend)
- 4 general (includes 2 hours gained at the Case Analysis session)
The courses concentrate on preparation, written advocacy, use of skeleton arguments in oral submissions, witness handling and responding to judicial interventions. Using the Hampel Method, we aim to provide specific training for barristers from all areas of practice using a variety of realistic exercises; most written by Members of the Inn.
The Hilary term course incorporates the examination in chief and cross-examination of expert witness played by real trainee psychiatrists, recognising the need for practitioners to be confident in handling expert witnesses in court.
Upcoming Courses
- Friday 20 – Sunday 22 November 2026
Friday, 6pm to 8pm, online
Saturday, 8:30am to Sunday, 2pm – in person at the Inn
Crime and Civil
Plus an ethics only session, online at 5.45pm on Monday 2 November 2026
Ethics only
Practitioners who receive a place on the course are automatically enrolled onto the Ethics session which will take place a week or so before the weekend.
NPs are welcome to attend an ethics session as a standalone event and can claim 3 ethics hours. It is suited to NPs who have already gained their 9 or more advocacy hours. The application process is the same.
The session is designed to teach NPs to recognise ethical problems in a number of different practical contexts within their area of practice, and to respond to such problems appropriately. Practitioners must attend for the full 3 hours regardless of how many hours they require.
Upcoming courses
- Ethics only session – Monday 2 November 2026
Online, 5.45-9pm
Applying for a place
All who have registered their tenancy with the Inn or previously registered their interest for a course will receive a notification when the booking period opens. Register your tenancy using our online form.
You will continue to be notified regarding upcoming courses until you pass your 3-year deadline, or until you complete a course. It is your responsibility to inform the Inn if you have completed the course elsewhere or wish to remain on the mailing list beyond your deadline.
The following booking terms apply for all New Practitioner Weekends:
- Preference is given to those closest to their deadline. Places are not offered on a first come first served basis.
- Practitioners based on circuit should first apply for a place with their circuit.
- Members of other Inns are welcome to apply. You must request a referral through your own Inn in order to be considered. If over-subscribed, preference will be given to Gray’s Inn Members and those closest to their 3-year NPP deadline.
- Only Members of the Bar currently in practice are eligible to attend
- No refunds will be made to attendees who accept a place and subsequently withdraw from the course unless a replacement can be secured by the Inn