Too many candidates and not enough pupillages have led to a revision of the Bar Vocational Course. Claire Ruckin reports
There has been a widespread uneasiness surrounding entry to the Bar for many years now. Providers of the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) have been criticised for consistently accepting large numbers of students who have no realistic prospect of going on to practice as barristers. With BVC fees high – over £14,000 at some providers – and pupillage numbers declining, there is an increasing feeling that the present status quo should not be allowed to continue.
