Gambling at the Bar

If the Bar is to continue to maintain its high standards, it must train the best potential advocates, regardless of socio-economic background. As we await the final conclusions of Lord Neuberger’s Entry to the Bar Working Party (expected by the end of this year) about how the Bar should rear its young, I would like to make an argument for fundamentally reforming the Bar vocational course (BVC) as the best way to bring about fairer entry to the profession.

From my position on the lowest rung of the ladder, I believe that the most pressing concern for someone who wants to become a barrister is whether or not it will be a waste of time and money to take the BVC.

Those from all but the most affluent backgrounds are forced to gamble an enormous sum, at long odds, on a career at the Bar. My argument is that the Bar is not