A limit on the number of places at bar school and the introduction of part-time pupillages are among measures to be considered in an attempt to make entry to the bar more accessible for the less well-off.


An interim report from a working party chaired by Lord Neuberger, the law lord, also suggested raising entry requirements for the bar vocational course (BVC), greater controls on the standard of the courses, and schemes to offer loans on preferential terms for BVC students.



It raised the prospect of changing the pupillage application timetable so students know the outcome before they commit to the BVC, which costs around £13,000.



The working party was set up by the Bar Council last year to improve access to the profession for those from less privileged backgrounds. Its recent survey revealed that 80% of barristers come from socio-economic groups A and B. Its final report will be published later this year.



Bar Council chairman Geoffrey Vos QC said: 'This is not social engineering - it is about equality of entry for all from all social backgrounds.'



Stuart Sime, BVC course director at the City Law School, said: 'The concern is that restricting numbers and raising entrance requirements will be totally counter-productive and end up with only those from privileged backgrounds being able to fulfil the requirements.'



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Catherine Baksi