Demand for the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) continues to surge, despite commercial pressures taking their toll on midsized chambers. With more than 1,100 places available on the BVC for the coming academic year, and despite BVC fees rising to as much as £9,800, applications for the course show no sign of slowing down.

However, two London sets have collapsed in recent months, highlighting the difficulties BVC students face in securing a pupillage.