The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has called on the Bar to increase funding for poorer students and pupil barristers as part of a Bar Council-backed review published today.

The report by Sir David Calvert-Smith QC calls for the introduction of a voluntary scheme to fund poorer students, backed by an additional £500,000 a year. The Bar already provides some £11.3m annually – or £800 per barrister – to help students and pupils join the profession.