Transferring qualified lawyers (solicitors or foreign lawyers) can apply to join Gray’s Inn following a decision from the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
Your transition to the Bar will be supported by the Education Department, which provides career services, professional development and education & training tailored to TQLs.
Apply for TQL membershipThe admission fee for TQLs is £500
- Before applying for membership
Before applying for membership
Before joining an Inn you must contact the Bar Standards Board’s authorisations team. Depending on your experience and qualifications, they will send you a letter detailing their decision with the conditions you must fulfil in order to be called to the Bar.
Prior to starting the admission application, please read the following documents to support you with your application-
- Your application
Your application
Once you have received your letter from the Bar Standards Board, you may apply to join an Inn.
Please note that it can take up to 6 weeks to process your application. You must be a member of the Inn to attend Qualifying Sessions and to be Called to the Bar.
- Post Call requirements
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.
- Temporary Call to the Bar
Temporary Call to the Bar
A qualified foreign lawyer who has exercised full rights of audience for at least three years in courts administering law substantially similar to that of England and Wales may apply to be temporarily called to the Bar by an Inn. This is solely for the purpose of appearing as counsel in a specific case before a court in England and Wales.
The rules for Temporary Call can be found here.
For more information, please contact the Admissions team