The qualification all barristers need: 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 in the classroom and its practical application in the courtroom. Courses are accredited by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).

The BPTC was previously known as the Bar vocational course (BVC). Proposed change top the BVC were first outlined in the Wood Report, published by the BSB in 2008. These recommendations have been fully implemented this year. 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, case work skills, legal research and interpersonal skills throughout. There is also further emphasis placed upon opinion writing (giving written advice).

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.

What are the teaching methods like?

During the course you will spend time developing, practising and receiving feedback on the core skills through a variety of exercises. 'These include cross-examining actors, runningn cases against your peers, writing statements of case, multiple choice exams and making submissions to judges,' explains James Wakefield, Kaplan Law School's Bar course director. 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. 'Bar students thrive with lots of face-to-face coaching, so small Bar classes are the norm and this year courses are even more interactive, practical and client-focused than ever,' James states. 'Extensive use is made of audiovisual equipment such as netbooks, presentation software and mock court facilities to help students build up their confidence and develop their skills, with recordings likely to  form part of your assessment,' he adds.

How should I apply?

Applications should be made online at www.barprofessionaltraining.org.uk from October. 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. If you want to apply for a BPTC starting in 2011, you should submit your application between 16 October 2010 and 10 January 2011.