Please submit your application and supporting documents to Admissions.
Your application for transfer to the Bar must first be approved by the Bar Standards Board’s (BSB) Qualifications Committee before you can join the Inn.
Once approved, unless exempt, you are normally required to sit all or part of the Bar Transfer Test which you must pass before you can be called to the Bar.
If you are seeking temporary membership and Call to the Bar of England and Wales, for the purposes of conducting a particular case, please contact the Admissions team.
Please be aware it can take the Education Department up to 6 weeks to process your application. If you have not received confirmation of receipt within one week of submitting your papers, please contact the Admissions Team.
Joining the Inn
Prior to starting the admission application, it is essential that you read the Joint Inns Education and Qualification Rules and the read the Inns Data Privacy Notice.
Please submit your application and supporting documents to Admissions.
Your admission papers consist of:
- a Four Inns of Court and General Council of the Bar Form
- an Admission Declaration Form
- a Certificate of Good Standing from current authorising body (issued within the last 3 months)
- a letter from the BSB (giving permission to join an Inn / outlining requirements for Call) which must be an original or certified copy
- a copy of the transfer application form submitted to the BSB
- the admission fee of £100 (once your application and documents have been checked, we will provide you with the details of how to make the payment via our online member system.)
- one photograph
- an Equal Opportunities Form
- a certified copy of photographic ID
Qualifying Sessions
From 1 September 2020, all transferring lawyers are required to complete 10 Qualifying Sessions in accordance with the Framework for the provision of Qualifying Sessions as set by the BSB. These QSs must be completed before your Call to the Bar. If you require a modification or waiver, please review the Modification and Waiver information and submit the downloadable form with your application for membership.
Qualifying Sessions are booked through the Gray’s Inn Online Booking (GIOS). You will be granted access to this once you become a member of the Inn.
For further information, please visit the Qualifying Sessions page of our website.
Call to the Bar
You must attend 10 Qualifying Sessions and meet any Bar Transfer Test requirements as set out by the BSB in order to be eligible for Call to the Bar. You must submit your Call papers by the deadline found on the Call pages. You are also required to have a standard UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record checks.
Post Call requirements
As part of your transfer to the Bar approval by the BSB, you may also be required to attend a:
- Pupil Advocacy Course
- Practice Management Course (incorporated in the Pupil Advocacy Course)
- New Practitioner Weekend
You may be exempt from some or all of the above; please see your correspondence with the BSB to ensure you are aware of your requirements.