Public Access Barrister training changes announced
Public access barrister training is to be overhauled under proposals announced by the Bar Standards Board.
The proposed changes will enhance course content and introduce an element of formal assessment to make sure that barristers have the knowledge and skills required to undertake public access work. In addition, public access barristers with less than three years’ practising experience will need to keep a log of cases as an aid to their learning and to assist the BSB in monitoring risks to the public. Those who have already taken the training will either have to do a top up course or apply for a waiver within 24 months of the new training being made available.
The training was reviewed in the light of a proposed rule change to widen the public access scheme to include clients who might be entitled to legal aid and to allow barristers with less than three years’ standing to do public access work.
More information available at http://bit.ly/W2hUzz
