Bar Course PgDip

In a demanding and rapidly changing legal landscape, the highest quality training is required to succeed as a barrister. Northumbria University’s Bar Course will support you in acquiring the necessary knowledge and practical skills crucial to practice at the modern Bar.<br/><br/>The new Bar Courses will be available from September 2020 and will replace the existing Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). Teaching on Northumbria’s Bar Course will be led by a team of highly experienced barristers and supported by a well-established network of members of the Bar, Judges and other relevant practitioners. <br/><br/>You will study: <br/>Civil Litigation (incorporating evidence and alternative dispute resolution)<br/>Criminal Litigation (incorporating evidence and sentencing)<br/>Advocacy <br/>Conferencing<br/>Drafting<br/>Opinion Writing<br/>Professional Ethics<br/>Legal Research <br/><br/>You will develop the knowledge and skills to practice in a broad range of briefs focused on foundational areas of pupillage and early practice. From the outset you will be taught to think and behave like a barrister. You will be instructed in cases conducted as in practice – incorporating conferences, advocacy, drafting and opinion writing alongside both the knowledge you have developed and a sound understanding of your professional ethical obligations. This invaluable, practical experience will equip you to be immediately effective in pupillage.<br/><br/>You will benefit from generous contact hours throughout the course – including dedicated exam-focused teaching sessions - in which the teaching team will share their expertise to support you in preparing for the Bar Standards Board (BSB) centralised assessments. Alongside practice-focused teaching, students will also benefit from a year-long series of workshops designed to support knowledge, understanding and exam techniques and preparation for these assessments. You may also gain, at no further cost, an additional qualification in Mediation. <br/><br/>Northumbria delivers opportunities to develop distinctive and unique knowledge and skills with opportunities to undertake:<br/>Vulnerable witness training<br/>Practitioner advocacy masterclasses<br/>Teaching in respect of forensic science and forensic statistics<br/>Participation in international mooting competitions<br/>A mentoring scheme delivered in conjunction with the Bar<br/><br/>Together these opportunities will allow you to distinguish yourself in a competitive environment and ultimately thrive in this prestigious profession.<br/><br/>On successful completion of the Bar Course you will be eligible for Call to the Bar of England and Wales (subject to meeting the qualifying requirements of your Inn of Court) <br/><br/>All fees are inclusive of the Bar Standards Board (BSB) fee, practitioner texts required for study, external Mediation training & the Northumbria Qualifying Dinner.