Glossary of Terms

There are a lot of strange terms involved in the world of the Bar, so here is an overview of what some of them mean.

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Qualifying Law Degree: A degree approved by the Bar Council as qualifying - if you are at the University of Nottingham studying the LLB or BA Law then you are probably on a QLD!

 

GDL: The Graduate Diploma in Law -a one year course undertaken by those who have a non law undergraduate degree and wish to convert in order to be a lawyer.

 

Mini Pupillage: A short work experience with a chambers, usually lasting 3 days or a week. These can be assessed and non assessed.

 

BPTC: The Bar Professional Training Course - the vocational qualification you must do after your Qualifying Law Degree.

 

The Pupillage Gateway: The website that most Pupillage applications are made through. All Pupillages must be advertised here. Some Pupillages are advertised there and applied for through a separate system.

 

Pupillage: A period of professional training undertaken with a Barristers Chambers. All Pupillages must be advertised on The Pupillage Gateway.

 

First Six: The first six months of your pupillage where you will be shadowing you Pupil Master/Mistress as they work. 

 

Second Six: The second six months of your Pupillage where you will be on your feet practising at the Bar.

 

Tenancy: You must acquire tenancy in a Chambers in order to be associated with them. The benefits are: Clerks will get you work and you will have a base of action. Pupils usually seek Tenancy at the Chambers they undertake Pupillage at.

 

Third Six: If a Pupil fails to gain Tenancy at a Chambers he will apply to another Chambers for a Third Six. They will "squat" there for six months before applying for tenancy.

 

Inns of Court: There are four: Gray's Inn, Lincoln's Inn, Inner Temple and Middle Temple. A Barrister must be a member of one of the four in order to qualify and attend 12 Dining Sessions in order to pass the BPTC.

 

In order to undertake the BPTC, a student must join an Inn by the 31st May preceding their course.

 

Dining Sessions: A BPTC student must attend 12 Dining Sessions at their Inn of Court (some may be attended in your final year of your degree). These are not always dinners, they can be training weekends or evenings also.

 

Mooting: The art of legal debate - something every would-be Barrister should be involved in. See the Mooting Society for further information.

 

Marshalling: Shadowing a judge as part of Work Experience.

 

The Bar Council: The General Council of the Bar is the governing body for the Bar. It is responsible for maintaining professional standards, developing entry systems to the Bar and regulating the profession.

 

The Bar Standards Board: The BSB was set up in 2006 to regulate barristers. It is key to education, setting standards of conduct and handling complaints.