Below you will find information to help with your Bar Practice Course registration. Should you have any queries, please contact us via email at exams@nswbar.asn.au
PROLOGUE SESSION
You are invited to attend a prologue session for the Bar Practice Course. The session will be held via Zoom webinar. The session is designed to give you an idea of what you will need to do in preparation for the course and what will be expected of you during the course. RSVP's will be required, the prologue session is compulsory.
COURSE MATERIALS
Course materials are available via the online timetable. Required and recommended reading is downloadable via hyperlink. The materials are reviewed and updated prior to each course. We advise candidates not to print out any materials before the course begins. Any changes made to the timetable will be clearly marked in red.
Your registration to the Bar Practice Course is not confirmed until the registration fee has been received, along with your CV, a signed and completed Tutor form and Practical Experience Questionnaire. Documents must be uploaded at the time of registration. Registrations must be completed by the nominated deadline provided.
We strongly advise all applicants to refer to the Updated Bar Practice Course Policy which can be found by clicking here.
FORMS TO BE COMPLETED & RETURNED WITH YOUR REGISTRATION
The following forms should be attached to your BPC online registration:
CV
Tutor form - Electronic signature/typed names are fine to submit with your online registration but signed copies must be submitted to exams@nswbar.asn.au prior to the commencement of the Bar Practice Course.
FORMS TO BE COMPLETED & RETURNED PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF THE COURSE
Please download and read the guide for completing your PC application:
Please download and complete the following forms:
A PC Application must be submitted to Certification by REGISTRATION CLOSE WHICH IS Friday, 31 March 2023. If your Application is not complete at this date, please advise of any outstanding documents and forward them to Certification as soon as possible. A complete application must be received before the commencement of the course.
Please note that a barrister is only covered by the professional standards scheme if they satisfy all 3 criteria - hold a PC, have Professional Indemnity Insurance AND are a member of the Bar Association.
You will need to complete your application for a practising certificate along with all necessary documentation (Professional Indemnity Insurance, ABN, etc.) at the same time as completing your registration for the Bar Practice Course. It is a requirement of commencing the Bar Practice Course that Readers have submitted their PC application. You are not permitted to attend the Course if your application has not been received by Certification. It is important that you do not delay submitting your PC application if you are waiting on your Certificate of Good Standing from the Law Society, your PII or proof of surrender of your practising certificate, you can forward those documents on to Certification once you receive them. You can only hold one practising certificate at a time so if you hold a practising certificate issued by the NSW Law Society you must arrange to surrender that certificate before the NSW Bar Association certificate commences. You should also consider your rights of appearance before the Bar Practice Course by reviewing the Practising Certificate Information here. Civil and Criminal Reading Guidelines can also be found on the Bar Association website. SATISFACTORILY COMPLETION
The issuing of a readers' practising certificate does not entitle you to start practising in NSW. You must satisfactorily complete the Bar Practice Course to the satisfaction of the Bar Council.
Professional Standards and SUpport will endeavour to notify all Bar Practice Course candidates by close of business on the Monday immediately following the Final Mock Trial. In circumstances where the Course Director or Director, Professional Standards and Support is concerned about the satisfactory completion by a reader of the Bar Practice Course notification may be delayed.
Please note you are bound by Condition 2 of your readers practising certificate until formal written notification of satisfactory completion is received.
INSURANCE INFORMATION
PURCHASING ROBES
The following suppliers are available for your robe purchases. Please ensure that you have your robes by the beginning of week four of the course. Further information is also available here.