Authorisations Team Service Update

Pupillage Forms

Queries relating to the pupillage completion and registration processes should be sent to us by email to [email protected].  

We are now in the busiest month for pupillage activity with completions of current pupillages and the registration of new pupillages expected to continue from now until the end of the calendar year.

During this peak period, pupillage completion forms and the registration of new pupillages will be prioritised over Notification of Material Change forms. Your patience is appreciated until we are able to send email confirmations that these material changes have been recorded.

We will be processing pupillage completion forms based on the date of expiry of the pupil’s Provisional Practising Certificate so please do bear this in mind when submitting pupillage documentation to us. Provisional Practising Certificates are valid for 30 days beyond the registered completion date of the pupillage, giving pupils time to complete their pupillage documentation and confirm their eligibility for a Full Practising Certificate.

In order for us to issue a Confirmation of Full Qualification Letter at the end of a pupillage, a pupil or their AETO must confirm that the pupil completed the Pupils’ Advocacy Course during the non-practising period of their pupillage and that they have also completed the Pupils’ Ethics Exam (if applicable).

Do ensure that you are using the latest versions of the Certificates of Satisfactory Completion, Registration, and Material Change form templates - available for download from the Bar Standards Board website. Forms must either include a handwritten signature or be sent by/copied to the pupil supervisor who is registering or signing off that period of pupillage.

We are continuing to work through a very high volume of applications across all categories, and so applications are taking at least 16 weeks to process.

Due to the volume of applications at present, we have very limited capacity to consider requests for priority processing of exemption or waiver applications. As far as possible, we will continue to consider such requests:

• if the outcome is required to confirm registration on a GDL or vocational component Bar Course, or for Bar Transfer Test assessments; or
• if the outcome is required to confirm a pupillage, tenancy, or employment offer which you are able to evidence (eg by providing a copy of an offer email or letter); or
• if the outcome is required for an upcoming court appearance (eg authorisation as a licensed access client).

We cannot otherwise guarantee to prioritise any applications, at present.

If you would like your application to be prioritised for assessment, you will need to submit a request (in writing), as follows:

• For Transferring Qualified Lawyer applications, please email [email protected]
• For all other application types, please email [email protected] marked for the attention of the Head of Authorisations Operations

You will need to set out any grounds for the urgent processing of your application and confirm the date by which a decision is required.

If you have already submitted a request for your application to be prioritised, this will be reviewed as soon as possible to provide you with an anticipated decision date for your application.

We will be processing non-prioritised outstanding exemption or waiver applications based on the date that the application is regarded as ‘complete’ (ie when we have received all relevant documents and payment of the application fee) so we will be dealing with the oldest outstanding applications first.

If you would prefer to withdraw your application, please contact us directly on [email protected]. If you have already paid an application fee and your application has not been processed by us, we will arrange a refund of that payment.

Any correspondence relating to Transferring Qualified Lawyer applications should now be directed to our dedicated email address –[email protected].

Please see our Applications page for information on how to apply as a Transferring Qualified Lawyer, including creating a CRM profile, key supporting documents, fee payments, and prioritisation requests.

Our dedicated sub-group within the Authorisations Team for the processing of applications for admission to the Bar as a Transferring Qualified Lawyer is working to issue application decisions and to ensure any outstanding applications are ‘ready for assessment’ (ie when we have received all relevant documents and payment of the application fee).

We will be publishing further information on anticipated processing times for Transferring Qualified Lawyer applications shortly so please do look out for this on our website.

If you have submitted an online application as a Transferring Qualified Lawyer, your application will not be processed until your application fee has been paid and we have received all necessary supporting documents including:

• your Certificate of Good Standing from your regulator/professional body
• your chronological CV and 
• Certificates/transcripts of any formal qualifications listed in your application

Authorised pupillage provider AETOs will start to receive their formal AETO Agreements from us in the coming months. If you have received a conditional authorisation decision from us, please respond to any conditions set out in your authorisation letter, as soon as possible. We will acknowledge receipt but may not be able to provide a formal reply immediately.

Authorised AETOs may advertise for, and recruit, new pupils as soon as they have received an authorisation decision letter (whether conditional or unconditional).

In the Employed Bar? We have published guidance and FAQs for organisations within the Employed Bar who may be interested in become pupillage providers.

Pupillage Forms

Queries relating to the pupillage completion and registration processes should be sent to us by email to [email protected].  

We are now approaching the end of the Autumn peak in pupillage activity with most of the Autumn 2023-starting pupillages now completed and signed off. Registrations of new pupillages are expected to continue from now until the end of the calendar year, but at a decreasing rate over the next couple of months.

Pupillage completion forms and the registration of new pupillages will still be prioritised over Notification of Material Change forms, for the time being. Your patience is appreciated until we are able to send email confirmations that these material changes have been recorded.

We will be processing pupillage completion forms based on the date of expiry of the pupil’s Provisional Practising Certificate so please do bear this in mind when submitting pupillage documentation to us. Provisional Practising Certificates are valid for 30 days beyond the registered completion date of the pupillage, giving pupils time to complete their pupillage documentation and confirm their eligibility for a Full Practising Certificate.

In order for us to issue a Confirmation of Full Qualification Letter at the end of a pupillage, a pupil or their AETO must confirm that the pupil completed the Pupils’ Advocacy Course during the non-practising period of their pupillage and that they have also completed the Pupils’ Ethics Exam (if applicable).

Do ensure that you are using the latest versions of the Certificates of Satisfactory Completion, Registration, and Material Change form templates - available for download from the Bar Standards Board website. Forms must either include a handwritten signature or be sent by/copied to the pupil supervisor who is registering or signing off that period of pupillage.

We are continuing to work through a very high volume of applications across all categories, and so applications are taking at least 16 weeks to process.

Due to the volume of applications at present, we have very limited capacity to consider requests for priority processing of exemption or waiver applications. As far as possible, we will continue to consider such requests:

• if the outcome is required to confirm registration on a GDL or vocational component Bar Course, or for Bar Transfer Test assessments; or
• if the outcome is required to confirm a pupillage, tenancy, or employment offer which you are able to evidence (eg by providing a copy of an offer email or letter); or
• if the outcome is required for an upcoming court appearance (eg authorisation as a licensed access client).

We cannot otherwise guarantee to prioritise any applications, at present.

If you would like your application to be prioritised for assessment, you will need to submit a request (in writing), as follows:

• For Transferring Qualified Lawyer applications, please email [email protected]
• For all other application types, please email [email protected] marked for the attention of the Head of Authorisations Operations

You will need to set out any grounds for the urgent processing of your application and confirm the date by which a decision is required.

If you have already submitted a request for your application to be prioritised, this will be reviewed as soon as possible to provide you with an anticipated decision date for your application.

We will be processing non-prioritised outstanding exemption or waiver applications based on the date that the application is regarded as ‘complete’ (ie when we have received all relevant documents and payment of the application fee) so we will be dealing with the oldest outstanding applications first.

If you would prefer to withdraw your application, please contact us directly on [email protected]. If you have already paid an application fee and your application has not been processed by us, we will arrange a refund of that payment.

Any correspondence relating to Transferring Qualified Lawyer applications should be directed to our dedicated email address –[email protected].

Please see our new Applications page for information on how to apply as a Transferring Qualified Lawyer, including creating a CRM profile, key supporting documents, fee payments, and prioritisation requests.

We are currently working to issue application decisions and to ensure any outstanding applications are ‘ready for assessment’ (ie when we have received all relevant documents and payment of the application fee).

We will be publishing further information on anticipated processing times for Transferring Qualified Lawyer applications shortly so please do look out for this on our website.

Authorised pupillage provider AETOs will start to receive their formal AETO Agreements from us in the coming months. If you have received a conditional authorisation decision from us, please respond to any conditions set out in your authorisation letter, as soon as possible. We will acknowledge receipt but may not be able to provide a formal reply immediately.

Authorised AETOs may advertise for, and recruit, new pupils as soon as they have received an authorisation decision letter (whether conditional or unconditional).

In the Employed Bar? We have published guidance and FAQs for organisations within the Employed Bar who may be interested in become pupillage providers.

The Bar Standards Board will be closing for the Christmas period on 20 December 2024 and reopening on 2 January 2025. We will not be monitoring any incoming email correspondence or telephone calls during this period.

We will be publishing further information on anticipated processing times for all of our application types in the new year, so please do look out for this on the Bar Standards Board website.

We are continuing to work through a very high volume of applications across all categories, and so applications are taking at least 16 weeks to process.

Due to the volume of applications at present, we have very limited capacity to consider requests for priority processing of exemption or waiver applications. As far as possible, we will continue to consider such requests:

• if the outcome is required to confirm registration on a GDL or vocational component Bar Course, or for Bar Transfer Test assessments; or
• if the outcome is required to confirm a pupillage, tenancy, or employment offer which you are able to evidence (eg by providing a copy of an offer email or letter); or
• if the outcome is required for an upcoming court appearance (eg authorisation as a licensed access client).

We cannot otherwise guarantee to prioritise any applications, at present.

If you would like your application to be prioritised for assessment, you will need to submit a request (in writing), as follows:

• For Transferring Qualified Lawyer applications, please email [email protected]
• For all other application types, please email [email protected] 

You will need to set out any grounds for the urgent processing of your application and confirm the date by which a decision is required.

If you have already submitted a request for your application to be prioritised, this will be reviewed as soon as possible to provide you with an anticipated decision date for your application.

We process all non-prioritised outstanding exemption or waiver applications based on the date that the application is regarded as ‘complete’ (ie when we have received all relevant documents and payment of the application fee) so we will deal with the oldest outstanding applications first.

If you would prefer to withdraw your application, please contact us directly on [email protected]. If you have already paid an application fee and your application has not been processed by us, we will arrange a refund of that payment.

Transferring Qualified Lawyers

Please see our new Applications page for information on how to apply as a Transferring Qualified Lawyer, including creating a CRM profile, key supporting documents, fee payments, and prioritisation requests.

We are currently working to issue application decisions and to ensure any outstanding applications are ‘ready for assessment’ (ie when we have received all relevant documents and payment of the application fee).

Any correspondence relating to Transferring Qualified Lawyer applications should be directed to our dedicated email address –[email protected].

Pupillage Forms

Queries relating to the pupillage completion and registration processes should be sent to us by email to [email protected].  

We are now at the end of the Autumn peak in pupillage activity with almost all Autumn 2023-starting pupillages now completed and signed off. Registrations of new pupillages are expected to continue until the end of the calendar year, but at a much lower rate.

Pupillage completion forms and the registration of new pupillages will still be prioritised over Notification of Material Change forms, for the time being. Your patience is appreciated until we are able to send email confirmations that these material changes have been recorded.

We process pupillage completion forms based on the date of expiry of the pupil’s Provisional Practising Certificate so please do bear this in mind when submitting pupillage documentation to us. Provisional Practising Certificates are valid for 30 days beyond the registered completion date of the pupillage, giving pupils time to complete their pupillage documentation and confirm their eligibility for a Full Practising Certificate.

In order for us to issue a Confirmation of Full Qualification Letter at the end of a pupillage, a pupil or their AETO must confirm that the pupil completed the Pupils’ Advocacy Course during the non-practising period of their pupillage and that they have also completed the Pupils’ Ethics Exam (if applicable).

Do ensure that you are using the latest versions of the Certificates of Satisfactory Completion, Registration, and Material Change form templates - available for download from the Bar Standards Board website. Forms must either include a handwritten signature or be sent by/copied to the pupil supervisor who is registering or signing off that period of pupillage.

Authorised pupillage provider AETOs will start to receive their formal AETO Agreements from us in the new year. If you have received a conditional authorisation decision from us, please respond to any conditions set out in your authorisation letter, as soon as possible. We will acknowledge receipt but may not be able to provide a formal reply immediately.

Authorised AETOs may advertise for, and recruit, new pupils as soon as they have received an authorisation decision letter (whether conditional or unconditional).

In the Employed Bar? We have published guidance and FAQs for organisations within the Employed Bar who may be interested in become pupillage providers.

If you are a current undergraduate degree or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) student intending to start vocational Bar training in the Autumn, please read our Guidance for undergraduates affected by the University and College Union (UCU) marking boycott.

The transitional process for currently authorised Pupillage Training Organisations (PTOs) seeking authorisation as Authorised Education and Training Organisations (AETOs) concluded at the end of July 2024. If you have not yet received the outcome of your transitional AETO application, please contact us directly ([email protected]) to confirm your current status.

Authorised AETOs will start to receive their formal AETO Agreements from us in the coming months.

If you have received a conditional authorisation decision from us, please respond to any conditions set out in your authorisation letter, as soon as possible. We will acknowledge receipt but may not be able to provide a formal reply immediately, while we are prioritising applications from applicants that have not yet obtained AETO status.

Authorised AETOs may advertise for, and recruit, new pupils as soon as they have received an authorisation decision letter (whether conditional or unconditional).

Have we got the right contact details for your organisation? We are unable to send you the latest information relating to AETO transitional arrangements without a current email address. Please contact the team via email at [email protected] to advise us of any changes.

Contact us: [email protected]

Pupillage Registration

PLEASE NOTE - you may commence pupillage pending receipt of confirmation of registration from us. Due to current processing times, this may be up to four weeks after you submit your form. 

*The team is working on 12 outstanding emails relating to pupillage registration. 

Pupils' Advocacy Course

Once your pupillage has been registered, please contact your Inn of Court or Circuit to book on to the Pupils' Advocacy Course, as soon as possible.

PLEASE NOTE:

• You will not be able to progress to the practising period of pupillage until the Pupils' Advocacy Course has been completed. The date(s) of your Advocacy Course should be noted on your non-practising period completion form.
• If you are completing a voluntary period of non-practising pupillage, arranged between yourself and your AETO (ie not required by the Bar Standards Board), you will not be required to complete the Pupils' Advocacy Course. For example, if you have been granted a reduction in pupillage by us and we have recommended that you complete only a period of practising pupillage but your AETO would prefer you to complete a short non-practising pupillage on a voluntary basis before commencing that recommended period of practising pupillage.

Professional Ethics assessment

Following a transition period, passing the Professional Ethics assessment during pupillage is now a requirement for all pupils unless they have a specific exemption authorised by the BSB. For further details, please see our guidance on the introduction of a new Professional Ethics assessment during pupillage.

Pupillage Completion (sign off)

PLEASE NOTE - you can submit Pupillage forms up to 10 days in advance of pupillage start and end dates. This helps us to help you by preventing delays in the process created by last minute submissions.

• If you have submitted a pupillage sign off form for the non-practising period you should expect this to be processed within 10 working days or before you commence the practising period whichever is sooner. 
• If you have submitted a pupillage sign off form for the practising period you should expect this to be processed within one month or before your Provisional Practising Certificate (PPC) expires whichever is sooner. 

Any anticipated delays to the pupillage administrative process will be published on this page. 

*The team is working on 14 outstanding emails relating to pupillage completion.

Material changes

Please note that there may be delays in the processing of these forms at times when we need to prioritise pupillage completion processes and provisional practising certificate requests.

*The team is working on 6 outstanding emails relating to material changes.

Other correspondence

*Currently, we are dealing with approximately 200 unsorted pupillage-related emails, separate from explicit requests for pupillage registration and non-practising and practising period completion.

Waivers

If you have applied for a pupillage reduction or dispensation then your application will take at least 16 weeks to process, at present. When applying, please allow enough time for your application to be considered as we cannot guarantee that it will be expedited at your request. Please note that you can commence pupillage while waiting for a decision for a reduction in pupillage and amend the duration of your registered pupillage in the event of a successful outcome to your application.

If a pupillage provider AETO has advertised for a pupillage(s) commencing on a particular date and then wishes to make offers to additional candidates who applied in the same recruitment round, they may do so provided that the additional candidate(s) will be starting their pupillages within six months (either before or after) the originally intended starting date.

If the additional candidate(s) will be starting their pupillage more than six months either before or after the other pupil(s), the pupillage provider AETO will need to apply for a waiver of the advertising requirements. This is because other candidates may have responded to the advert if they were aware that alternative starting dates were being considered.

Any additional pupillage candidates offered pupillage in this way must be fully funded in line with any other pupillages offered by the pupillage provider AETO at that time. If any variance in funding is intended, the pupillage provider AETO would need to apply for a waiver of the pupillage funding requirements.

If needed, the waiver application form and guidelines may be found in the Training & Qualification section of our website.

**UPDATE** - We are dealing with a very high volume of these applications currently. Where possible, we will aim to prioritise applications from applicants who can provide evidence of a pupillage or tenancy/employment offer, with a confirmed starting date.

Please see our new Applications page for information on how to apply as a Transferring Qualified Lawyer, including creating a CRM profile, key supporting documents, fee payments, and prioritisation requests.

The 2024-25 BSB Entity Renewal process opened on 4 March 2024. If you have not received an email notification to renew your entity, please check your junk mail folder and follow this up with the Entities Team, if necessary. All renewals must be completed by 31 October 2024.

Please see the Entities Register for the current status of any BSB entity.

Renewals must be completed through the Entities Portal. The renewal process consists of answering a few questions, paying the renewal fee, and emailing an insurance certificate to [email protected].  

If you encounter any technical issues with the online renewal process, please do contact us on [email protected] or telephone (020 7611 1444).

If you have a registered entity with us but do not wish to renew your authorisation, you will still need to begin the online renewal process. You should indicate that you do not wish to renew in response to the first question on the online form. We will then get in touch with you directly about any other steps you may need to complete before your authorisation is revoked.

Please note that we will not withdraw your authorisation as an entity without providing written notice to you (by email).

There are currently 149 BSB authorised Entities – you can view the Entity Register on our website. 

Please allow six to nine months for us to complete our assessment of your application, depending on the complexity of your proposed business model.   

We request that you respond to information requests from us in relation to your application within 10 working days.

For details on the application process, please visit the Becoming a BSB Entity page on our website. To arrange an informal discussion with a member of the team, please do contact us on [email protected].