Chambers recruitment to be subject to fairness training from July 2014

updated on 26 June 2014

New rules come into force on 1 July 2014, ensuring that every member of a chambers’ selection panel must have received training on fair recruitment processes.

The rules, announced in 2012, initially applied to only the lead person in a selection panel and one other panel member; now all members must comply. Barristers can undertake training through a number of ways, including classroom sessions, online courses or private study. In defining fair recruitment, the Bar Council suggests that training should cover the following areas:

  • fair and effective selection and unconscious bias;
  • fair and effective selection and avoiding unconscious bias;
  • attraction and advertising;
  • application processes;
  • shortlisting skills;
  • interviewing skills;
  • assessment and making a selection decision; and
  • monitoring and evaluation.

Compliance will be monitored through the Bar Standards Board’s chambers supervision system. Full information on the fair recruitment guidelines can be found on the Bar Council’s website.

More information on pupillage and how to apply can be found in the Barristers section.