BSB Bar Qualification Manual - Part 1-Overview - 1A Bar qualification rules and Bar Qualification Manual

Oct 1, 2026

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BSB Bar Qualification Manual Part 1 introduces the Bar qualification rules and the manual’s purpose within the BSB regulatory framework for qualifying as a barrister in England and Wales. It explains when the Bar Qualification Rules entered into force (April 2019) and how reforms under Future Bar Training (FBT) support accessible, affordable and flexible pathways while maintaining high entry standards. It describes compulsory relationships with supporting documents covering authorisation requirements for AETOs, the Inns of Court Memorandum of Understanding, and the manual’s role for students, pupils, and the public.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages95

Reading Time3 h 59 min

AccessFree to download

Part 1-Overview

1A: The Bar qualification rules and the Bar Qualification Manual

1B: Components of Bar training

BSB Bar Qualification Bar Qualification Manual Manual Part 1-Overview 1A: The Bar qualification rules and the Bar Qualification Manual This section provides an overview of the Bar Qualification Rules within the Bar Standards Board Handbook and the Bar Qualification Manual. Introduction 1 The Bar Standards Board (“BSB”) is the regulator of barristers in England and Wales. We are responsible for setting the education and training requirements for those who wish to practise as barristers in England and Wales. 2 The Bar Qualification Rules came into force in April 2019, following a programme of reform which was known as Future Bar Training (“FBT”) . The rules were designed to ensure that training to become a barrister became more accessible, affordable and flexible while maintaining the high standards of entry expected at the Bar. With the introduction of these rules, we developed a new regulatory framework to explain the process of qualifying as a barrister. This framework comprises: a. the Part 4 Qualification Rules (contained within the BSB Handbook ); b. the Authorisation Framework and Curriculum and Assessment Strategy ; c. a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the BSB and the Inns of Court; and d. the Bar Qualification Manual 3 The diagram above sets out the relationship between the high-level rules within the BSB Handbook and the three supporting documents, including this Bar Qualification Manual. 4 This Bar Qualification Manual is intended for use by students, pupils, transferring qualified lawyers, Authorised Education and Training Organisations (AETOs), the BSB (as the regulatory body), and any members of the public who are interested to know how barristers are trained. It has been designed to provide further information relating to the Bar Qualification Rules (Part 4 of the BSB Handbook) and to bring together information held in the other documents mentioned above. It was also intended to provide greater clarity about what was and was not changing as we phased in the new system of education and training for the Bar. Bar Qualification Manual BSB Bar Qualification Bar Qualification Manual Manual How this Manual interacts with other documents 5 The Part 4 Qualification Rules in the BSB Handbook do not contain all the mandatory training requirements for individuals seeking to qualify, or for AETOs wanting to become authorised by us to provide Bar training. These detailed requirements may be found in the Authorisation Framework, the MOU with the Inns of Court and this Bar Qualification Manual. Compliance with the requirements specified in this Bar Qualification Manual is, therefore, compulsory. The BSB Handbook 6 The new Part 4 Qualification Rules in the BSB Handbook set out, at a high-level: a. the requirements for individuals to qualify as a barrister and receive a practising certificate; b. the requirements for prospective Bar training providers to become AETOs in line with the Authorisation Framework; and c. the minimum requirements for the Inns in admitting student members, carrying out fit and proper person checks and delivering Qualifying Sessions. The Authorisation Framework 7 All organisations that offer the vocational and/or the work-based learning (pupillage) components of Bar training (either separately or in combination with another component) are subject to the Authorisation Framework . 8 The Authorisation Framework is used by us to set out the mandatory requirements for an organisation to become an AETO, including adherence to the four FBT principles identified in our 2016 consultation. These are: a. Encouraging greater flexibility – so that the training system enables innovation in how education and training is delivered; b. Improving accessibility – so that the best candidates can train as barristers and that the Bar better reflects the communities it serves; c. Improving affordability – to bring down the cost of studying to students; and d. Maintai

FAQs

What is the Bar Standards Board (BSB) responsible for?

The BSB is the regulator of barristers in England and Wales. It sets education and training requirements for those who wish to practise as barristers.

When did the Bar Qualification Rules come into force and what was their purpose?

The Bar Qualification Rules came into force in April 2019. They were designed to make training more accessible, affordable and flexible while maintaining high standards of entry.

Why is compliance with the Bar Qualification Manual compulsory?

The Part 4 Qualification Rules do not contain all mandatory training requirements. Detailed requirements are found in supporting documents, and compliance with the requirements specified in the Bar Qualification Manual is compulsory.

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by McGucket