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Applications

Applications for the 25/26 Academy will open shortly

Our application process consists of a two part application: the first is a written application (which can be accessed here) and the second is a video application. Please read the below for a full explanation of our eligibility criteria and application process or, alternatively you can access our applicant guide here, or our Academy QandA here.

If you require either reasonable adjustments or an extension, please access this form.

We will be closing applications on 17:00 11th April 2025.

Good luck to all those that apply!

Eligibility

To be eligible for participation in the 25/26 Academy candidates must:

  • Be studying the bar course in academic year 2025/26 (on either a part-time or full time basis) OR have previously completed the bar course; AND
  • Be intending to apply for pupillage in 2026 AND
  • Have been state school educated AND
  • Have not attended Oxbridge at the undergraduate level AND
  • Have been supported through undergraduate through student loans or own employment AND
  • Be present in the UK and available to attend ALL Academy events listed in the programme from September 2025 to June 2026.

Assessment Criteria

The 100 candidates will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • A commitment to academic excellence through achieving strong grades at university.
  • An understanding of what a career at the Bar entails.
  • Clear and persuasive written communication skills i.e., appropriate structure, use of language and sentence structure.
  • Clear, persuasive and engaging oral advocacy skills.
  • Understanding of issues faced by candidates and barristers from underrepresented backgrounds at the Bar and a commitment to remedying these issues.
  • Ability of a candidate to share their background and experiences in a way which will facilitate mutual learning with fellow candidates and stakeholders.
  • Likelihood to benefit from participating in BTB Academy.

How to Apply

The application consists of two parts; an initial written application which can be accessed here, and a secondary video application. Both parts of the application must be completed by 17:00 11th April 2025. If you require either reasonable adjustments or an extension, please access this form.

Stage One: The Written Application

The written application consists of collecting the applicant's background information, three written questions, and one pre-recorded video presentation. The pre-recorded video should be titled "BTB2526videopresentation" and be in MP4 format.

There is no time-limit on this section of the application and applicant's may revisit as many times as they like before submitting their answers.

Once an applicant has submitted the written portion of the application, they are emailed a confirmation email which contains a link to the video application platform.

Stage Two: The Video Application

The video application platform contains two unseen questions. The first focuses on the applicant's understanding of the Academy programme and their appreciation of their own personal development. For this question, the applicants have five minutes total time; this comprises up to three minutes of thinking time and the opportunity to record a video answer which is up to two minutes in length.

The second question is a topical question. For this question, applicants have ten minutes total; up to eight minutes of thinking time, and the opportunity to record a video answer of up to two minutes.

Applicants are prevented from recording answers that go over the allotted time or remaining on the page over the total question time, and the question pages are only accessible once.

Academy Applications Q&A

This recorded session covers the Academy programme, the application process, and Academy related questions.

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Top Tips for a Strong Application

  • Making sure you're really answering the question set - a bad response will answer something that's not quite the question.
  • Making sure that you're targeting the criteria, available in the applicant guide, as this is what the markers will be looking for.
  • In terms of the written application: good spelling, punctuation, and grammar is a must.
  • In terms of the video: make sure you're in control of your time - ending your video at 1 minute 50 seconds with a controlled conclusion is much better than being cut off at 2 minutes, even if the 2 minute version has slightly more content! 
  • For the unseen question: make sure you brush up on both the Academy programme, available in the application guide, and have a brief look at topical EDI issues in the legal space.
  • For the person-focused questions: the skills needed as a barrister, your skills and weaknesses, and what you want to get out of the programme - try to link these together.
  • For the opinion-type questions: don't fence-sit - avoid "on the one hand, on the other hand" type approaches. You can (and should) engage with counterarguments, but try to argue against them rather than just repeating them. Pick a side and argue it consistently throughout your submission!

Model Answers

To guide applicants on how to approach Academy answers, we have included some model answers from a previous cohort below. We have included one opinion based written question and one personally focused video answer, with analysis to help applicants understand what made these answers stand out.

Written Answers

Question

"The biggest factor affecting retention and progression of disabled aspiring barristers is the lack of wheelchair access at the Bar. Do you agree?"

(200 words, 9 points available, criteria: 2, 3, & 5)

Answer

"Without essential ramps and elevators, disabled barristers often face difficulty navigating legal establishments, or participating in court proceedings. HMCTS states that only 15% of courts in England are fully accessible for wheelchair users. Such limitations hinder individuals’ capacity to fully engage and advance in their careers. Figures disappointingly echo that the proportion of barristers with a disability continues to fall with seniority (BSB 2022 Diversity Report). This is unsurprising. The inability to access one's workplace and conduct routine tasks will likely affect perseverance over time. However, it is arguable whether wheelchair access is the primary factor affecting these statistics. Broader cultural issues including bias, discrimination, and a lack of awareness may also hinder career advancement. The statement above also assumes that all disabilities are physical, but non-visible disabilities, including neurodiversity, and visual and hearing impairments often go unnoticed. Concerns about potential stigmatisation exacerbate the obstacles faced by barristers with non-visible disabilities if their environment is unsupportive. Although wheelchair access is crucial to increasing access to the Bar, I do not believe it to be the principal factor. Progressive policies and a culture that fosters awareness and inclusivity will arguably factor the most in job satisfaction, retention, and progression."

Feedback

This answer is an excellent answer that engages fully with the question and satisfies the three marking criteria. With regard to criteria 2, the candidate clearly shows an understanding of what a career at the bar entails as she is able to identify which activities at the bar may be effected by lack of wheelchair access and other issues facing disabled barristers. In terms of criteria 3, the candidate's answer is clearly structured and has impeccable grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary use throughout. Additionally, the candidate has adopted a position in the debate and, while other factors are considered, the argument against wheelchair access being the biggest issue is maintained throughout. In regard to criteria 5, the candidate has clearly engaged with issues effecting underrepresented barristers, through her analysis of the challenges faced by disabled barristers, and has also shown an interest in remedying such, through her consideration of possible solutions to those challenges. Overall, this is a model answer.

Video Answers

Question

"Please select one of the Academy programmes, then prepare a 1-minute presentation on how this programme will benefit you in relation to one or more of your D&I characteristics."

(1 minute, 9 points available, criteria: 4, 6, & 7)

Answer

Please see the below video

Feedback

This answer is a stand out answer in both style and substance. In terms of criteria 4, the candidate's answer is clearly structured, moving clearly from one idea to the next in a logical chain, her presentation is well paced, and her expression is clear and concise. In addition, the candidate is clearly in control of her time, bringing the presentation to a clear and well reasoned end before the cut off of the time limit. With regard to criteria 6, the candidate has shown commitment to championing diversity through both explanation of her previous experience, as well as voicing that she intends to carry this on post Academy. Further, the candidate shows a propensity for mutual learning as she references learning from the POD sessions, which engage both fellow candidates and wider stakeholders. Finally, in relation to criteria 7, the candidate successfully shows a likelihood of benefitting through a strong understanding of what the POD sessions offer and how this will benefit her as a BAME candidate specifically: her understanding of the programme and ability to link this back to her personal experience makes this a very strong answer. Overall, this is a model answer.

Results Day

Our projected results day is 13th June 2025.

Applicants who are successful will be asked to provide documents to secure their place on the Academy. The level of documentation required will depend on the opportunities you wish to be considered for. Please prepare the following documents by June 2025.

Please note:

  • Documents marked with *must be less than 3 months old (from June 2025)
  • Documents marked with **must be less than 12 months old (from June 2025)
  • All documents must be in your current name except where provided with change of name documentation
  • All documents that contain an address must have your current address
  • No document may be used twice
  • No other documentation other than that listed below can be used
  • Failure to provide full documentation may result in the forfeiture of some Academy opportunities i.e internships

All candidates must provide:

  • Photo ID - (i.e a passport or any ID which bears the PASS logo - these should be in date)
  • Proof of address*
  • National Insurance Number
  • A professional headshot
  • An up-to-date CV*

Candidates who wish to be considered for an internship must provide:

  • 1 document giving proof of right to work in the UK AND
  • 1 document from Group A (refer to list of valid identity documents below); and 2 further documents from Group A, B1 or B2 OR
  • 1 document from group B1; and 2 further documents from group B1 or B2.

Proof of right to work:

  • A passport showing the holder is a British citizen or a citizen of the UK and Colonies having the right of abode in the UK.
  • A passport or national identity card showing the holder, or a person named in the passport as the child of the holder, is a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland.
  • A current Biometric Immigration Document (Biometric Residence Permit) issued by the Home Office to the holder indicating that the person named is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, or has no time limit on their stay in the UK.
  • A current passport endorsed to show that the holder is exempt from immigration control, is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, has the right of abode in the UK, or has no time limit on their stay in the UK.
  • A full birth or adoption certificate issued in the UK which includes the name of at least one of the holder’s parents or adoptive parents, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.
  • A birth or adoption certificate issued in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Ireland, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.
  • A Registration Certificate or Document Certifying Permanent Residence issued by the Home Office to a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland.
  • A Permanent Residence Card issued by the Home Office to the family member of a national European Economic Area country or Switzerland.
  • A current Immigration Status Document issued by the Home Office to the holder with an endorsement indicating that the named person is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK or has no time limit on their stay in the UK, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.
  • A certificate of registration or naturalization as a British citizen, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.
  • A current passport endorsed to show that the holder is allowed to stay in the UK and is currently allowed to do the type of work in question.
  • A current Biometric Immigration Document (Biometric Residence Permit) issued by the Home Office to the holder which indicates that the named person can currently stay in the UK and is allowed to do the work in question.
  • A current Residence Card (including an Accession Residence Card or a Derivative Residence Card) issued by the Home Office to a non-European Economic Area national who is a family member of a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland or who has a derivative right of residence.
  • A current Immigration Status Document containing a photograph issued by the Home Office to the holder with a valid endorsement indicating that the named person may stay in the UK, and is allowed to do the type of work in question, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.
  • A Certificate of Application issued by the Home Office under regulation 17(3) or 18A (2) of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006, to a family member of a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland stating that the holder is permitted to take employment which is less than 6 months old together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
  • An Application Registration Card issued by the Home Office stating that the holder is permitted to take the employment in question, together with a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service.
  • A Positive Verification Notice issued by the Home Office Employer Checking Service to the employer or prospective employer, which indicates that the named person may stay in the UK and is permitted to do the work in question.

Group A:

  • Current valid Passport - UK or EEA (or Non- EEA in combination with a Biometric Residence Permit or current Work Permit/Visa)
  • Biometric Residence Permit (UK)
  • Current Driving Licence Photo Card (full or provisional) – UK, Isle of Man/Channel Islands and EU (except Jersey)
  • Current driving licence (full or provisional) - paper version (if issued before 1998)

Group B1:

  • Current Non-UK Photo Driving Licence (valid only for applicants residing outside of the UK at time of application)
  • Birth Certificate (UK and Channel Islands) issued at the time of birth; Full or short form acceptable including those issued by the UK authorities overseas, such as Embassies, High Commissions and HM Forces
  • Marriage/Civil Partnership Certificate (UK and Channel Islands)
  • Adoption Certificate (UK and Channel Islands)
  • HM Forces ID Card (UK)
  • Fire Arms Licence (UK and Channel Islands)

Group B2 :

  • Mortgage Statement (UK or EEA) ** (Non-EEA statements must not be accepted)
  • Bank/Building Society Statement (UK or EEA) *(Non- EEA statements must not be accepted)
  • Bank/Building Society Account opening Confirmation Letter (UK)
  • Credit Card Statement (UK or EEA) * (Non-EEA statements must not be accepted)
  • Financial Statement ** - e.g. pension, endowment, ISA (UK)
  • P45/P60 Statement ** (UK or Channel Islands)
  • Council Tax Statement (UK & Channel Islands) **
  • Work Permit/Visa (UK) (UK Residence Permit) **
  • Letter of Sponsorship from future employment provider (Non-UK/Non-EEA only – valid for applicants residing outside of the UK at time of application)
  • Utility Bill (UK) * - Not a Mobile Telephone
  • Benefit Statement * - e.g. Child Allowance, Pension
  • A document from Central/ Local Government/ Government Agency/ Local Authority giving entitlement (UK & Channel Islands) * - e.g. from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service, Customs & Revenue, Job Centre, Job Centre Plus, Social Security
  • EU National ID Card
  • Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo (UK)
  • Letter from Head Teacher or College Principal (16-19 year olds in full time education – only used in exceptional circumstances when all other documents have been exhausted) (UK only)

Further Information

Thank you to all those that chose to apply! If you want to be notified of any changes to our application schedule, or other BTB news, please sign up here.