Continuing Professional Development

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) or Post Qualification Training (PQT) is undertaken by barristers after their vocational training to develop their skills, knowledge and professional competences. All barristers are required to undertake professional development and training following the BSB’s Scheme. Barristers are no longer required to undertake a minimum number of hours annually, nor is there a requirement to undertake ‘accredited’ courses.

The rules are contained in Part 4 of the BSB Handbook. During the first three full years in practice, barristers must comply with the rules within the New Practitioner Programme (NPP) after which they will move on to the Established Practitioner Program (EPP).

How can the ICCA assist with Post-Qualification Training?

The Inns of Court College of Advocacy (ICCA) is the education and training division of The Council of the Inns of Court. We provide high-quality educational and training materials for Bar students, pupils, and practising barristers at all levels of seniority and sometimes to other legal professionals, nationally, pan-profession, and on an international scale.
From time to time, we hold specialist training events for Pupil Supervisors, for the handling of expert witnesses in financial and medico-legal cases, and some Advanced Criminal Advocacy courses.

On our website, you will find guides to statistical evidence, expert witnesses, interpreters, ‘Advocacy for Vulnerable People and Children’ (A&V) and we have an ‘Advocacy for Children in Conflict with the Law’ (ACCL) course for youth justice specialists and criminal pupils. For more details about our courses and training materials, please contact info@icca.ac.uk

The ICCA approach to Teaching and Learning

The ICCA has a Teaching and Learning Strategy where we set out that we will:

• Provide opportunities for professional development for all members of the Bar while building a culture of collegiality.
• Develop and deliver a curriculum which responds to changing demands, enabling students and practitioners to meet career objectives.
• Foster a culture of reflective practice enabling students and practitioners to meet expectations of professional competency.

Please click on the links below to find out more about our training resources and materials.