Introducing the Bar professional training course (BPTC)

The Bar professional training course (BPTC) is the vocational stage of training for aspiring barristers and equips them with all the skills they need to succeed. It comes after the academic stage (either a law degree or, for non-law graduates, the conversion course) and before the year of on-the-job training known as pupillage.

The one-year BPTC course (two years part time) is designed to bridge the gap between the academic study of the law and its practical application, and was previously known as the Bar vocational course (BVC). Courses are accredited by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).

The vocational stage of barristers' training has undergone a number of changes, which will come into effect for the 2010–2011 academic year. These follow the BSB's acceptance of a series of recommendations set out in the Wood Report, published by the BSB in 2008. Full details of the new course can be found in the BPTC Handbook, available from the Bar Standards Board.

How is the BPTC different from the BVC?

In the past, many of those who applied for the BPTC's predecessor, the BVC, were ultimately unable to establish a career at the Bar, with only one in five going on to secure tenancy. The changes to the vocational stage of training are intended, in part, to address this by raising admission standards and introducing an admission test. The course has also been restructured, putting greater focus on professional ethics and conduct, and includes writing and casework skills; fact management; legal research; and management and interpersonal skills throughout. At the time of writing, these changes are still under development and may be subject to revision.

The course is intended to bridge the gap between the classroom and the courtroom, preparing students for pupillage and practice at the Bar by putting their knowledge into practice.

The core skills taught on the BPTC are:

• advocacy
• opinion writing
• drafting
• conferencing
• resolution of disputes out of court (including negotiation, mediation and arbitration); of these, advocacy is given the greatest weighting.

These skills are taught within a framework of knowledge areas, which are:

• civil litigation, evidence and remedies
• criminal litigation, evidence and remedies
• evidence.

In addition students select two elective modules (known as options), from a choice of at least six, in which to specialise. The courses on offer vary between institutions. See TARGETcourses Conversion & Vocational Law and individual course prospectuses for more information.

During the course you will spend time developing, practising and receiving feedback on the core skills through a variety of exercises. Advocacy is key, so it’s important to ensure that the thought of standing up in court, handling witnesses and thinking on your feet doesn’t fill you with dread. Extensive use is made of audiovisual equipment and mock court facilities to help students build up their confidence and develop their skills, and recordings are likely to be made to form part of your assessment.

How to apply

Applications should be made online at www.barprofessionaltraining.org.uk from November. When you submit your online application you will need to pay a fee of £40 by credit or debit card. The website includes guidance notes to help you make an effective application. You do not have to complete your application in one sitting – once you have registered you can work on your application as many times as you like before submitting. Once you have submitted it you will only be able to amend your contact details.

In the first instance candidates can apply to three institutions and you are required to give your reasons for choosing each course. In the event that you do not secure a place with one of your first three choices your application will go into clearing. For the purposes of the clearing pool you are invited to rank the remaining courses in descending order. You do not have to give reasons for applying to these. The closing date for courses starting in September 2010 is 7 January 2010.