Putting law on the national curriculum and externally funded pupillages were among the recommendations made by Lord Neuberger in his committee's final report on improving access to the bar.


The review, which looked at changes from school onwards, made 57 recommendations, including a new law module in the personal social health education element of the national curriculum and a pool sponsored by the government and other employers who rely on the bar to fund pupillages.



While he did not suggest the number of places on the bar vocational course (BVC) should be limited, Lord Neuberger said there should be research on the impact of imposing a 2:1 entry condition and a bar entrance examination. He proposed that it should be possible to convert the BVC qualification into a masters for those who failed to progress to pupillage, making it more portable.



Equality and diversity training as part of a barrister's continuing professional development was also proposed, along with mentoring and support schemes to assist particular groups in chambers.



Bar Council chairman Geoffrey Vos QC said: 'This is a tremendous step forward in our campaign to ensure that the bar is a profession accessible to talented people from all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.'



The report came the week after a survey showed a 'significant mismatch' between clients' experience of using a barrister and barristers' own view of the service they provide.



The survey by Ipsos MORI, commissioned by the Bar Standards Board, revealed that while 89% of barristers felt they spent enough time with their clients, only 43% of prisoners, 57% of the public and 66% of solicitors agreed.



It revealed concerns among barristers about the quality of the BVC, with almost 50% stating there were gaps in the skills it provided.



On a more positive note, the research suggested barristers were seen to possess integrity, honesty and intellect, with 96% of solicitors rating them as providing good or excellent advice and guidance.



Catherine Baksi