Practising Certificate and CPD

Pay your Practising Certificate Fee by direct debit

The ability to pay your practising certificate fee by cheque will be phased out by 2012. Why wait? The greatest benefit is that if you pay by direct debit, you get a 2.5% discount on your PCF! Save your money , time and effort by registering to pay by direct debit.

Practising Certificate

In order to practise as a barrister the Code of Conduct requires you to have an annual practising certificate.

Information about your practising certificate and fees for 2011 for the self-employed Bar

Information about your practising certificate and fees for the 2011 employed Bar

Annexe D of the Code of Conduct oulines the practising certificate regulations

Guidance on changes to pupillage arising from the Legal Services Act 2007

Change of status forms

If a barrister wishes to change status, the relevant form below must be completed.

Dual Capacity Records Form

Unregistered Records Form

Employed Records Form

Self Employed Records Form

Sole Practitioner Records Form Guidance on Becoming a Sole Practitioner

Ownership Interests Records Form

Sharing Premises Records Form

Please contact:

The Records Office on 020 7242 0934 or email records@barcouncil.org.uk who will assist you with your queries about your practising certificate.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

All barristers are required to complete CPD hours and return a record card to the BSB annually. In the first three years’ of practice, newly qualified practitioners are required to complete 45 hours of CPD, including at least 9 hours of Advocacy Training and 3 hours of Ethics (the “New Practitioners’ Programme”). After the first three years of practice, barristers are required to undertake 12 hours of CPD each year (the “Established Practitioners’ Programme”).

CPD Information Pack

Information about the CPD Review.

Annexe C of the Code of Conduct outlines the CPD regulations.

Search the accredited courses database

Download a list of accredited course providers

Apply to become an accredited course provider.

Download CPD forms and guidance

Frequently asked questions about your CPD requirements

Please contact:

Rachel Reeves Training Compliance Assistant, who can assist with queries relating to individuals CPD requirements.

Liz Prats Continuing Education Officer, who can assist with queries relating to courses and accreditation.