ICCA COVID-19 update

The ICCA academic and operations teams are working successfully and remotely. We are checking in with each other daily and working around all the new Coronavirus challenges to make sure that the Bar Course is ready for our students in September and that all of our CPD projects stay on track.

Our staff are contactable during office hours and our Bar Course Leader will answer any queries you might have in the coming weeks and months.

You are advised to contact them by email in the first instance, rather than by ‘phone.

Bar Course

We are in regular contact with the Bar Standards Board and we are monitoring updates to their Covid-19 information.

We are carefully following the situation regarding the BCAT and will pass on any decisions the BSB make about this regulatory requirement as is currently stands. Current advice is:

“Whilst we are not at present waiving the requirement to pass the BCAT, we recognise that in the current circumstances some students may not be able to take it. We will endeavour to find a solution that will not prevent students from commencing their Bar training this year as planned, but we are not in a position to publish details yet.”

Things remain uncertain in terms of when we might all return to the new normal but, as soon as it is safe for us to do so, we will arrange a special social event for all our students to attend.

Next week we will be making plans for the next round of recruitment for the ICCA Bar Course for September 2021 and January 2022 intakes to Part One. Watch this space for news!

CPD

We have made some important decisions this week, some of which we hope will help out the junior end of the profession who are unable to go to court and are finding it hard to maintain a fledgling practice.

1. First of all, we are asking current pupils and juniors to help us assess Part One materials. This is an important element of any new course delivery and we are delighted to be able to allocate this work to those in the profession who are acutely affected by the Coronavirus.
2. Secondly, we are about to upload two sets of advocacy materials to our website. They can be used by any pupil to practise their advocacy with fellow practitioners. One case is a contested road traffic accident and one is a simple criminal trial. In the next few weeks, we will offer up the opportunity to watch a demonstration of each of these cases and to receive feedback on individual advocacy performances. Our team of Hampel accredited tutors will hold Zoom sessions to facilitate this. More details to follow!
3. Thirdly, we are writing a practical resource for anyone who needs to develop their online advocacy skills. We are putting together materials, using a contested international case, involving the need to take evidence from a witness in remote circumstances using email and documentary evidence. We are collaborating with experts in the field. We are hopeful we can have this ready by the end of April.

Above all, we wish you good health and urge you to keep up to date with the PHE and government advice.

• Stay at home
• • Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
  • If you go out, stay 2 meters (6ft) away from other people at all times
  • Wash your hands as soon as you get home
• Don’t meet with others, even friends or family
• You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms

Try to stay calm and keep a routine. Keep in touch with your friends and family remotely. Have quiz nights and tea parties. Learn a new skill, share recipes and your Netflix recommendations. Be kind to yourself and others.

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Click here for helpful resources for students to tackle mental health and wellbeing issues during the Covid-19 outbreak.