Here is a question I was asked recently.
Question:
Now come the Inn`s membership which I heard that have to get before applying to any provider. Can Everyone get membership of Inn`s easily? I mean what objections can they have? What is the advantage of being a member of Inn`s? Is it necessary?
Answer:
To get called to the Bar you have to be a member of one of the four Inns.
Which one you choose is personal preference. They all do the same things really, in terms of dinners, lectures, advocacy weekends, training etc. A couple of Inn’s interview everyone if they apply for scholarships for BPTC and GDL courses, but obviously there is no guarantee at any Inn that you will receive any funding towards the course.
There is an initial cost to joining an Inn, and that isn’t overly expensive. It is necessary you join one of the Inns.
To get called to the Bar you need to be a member of an Inn, and you need to have undertaken twelve qualifying sessions – these are normally dinners at the Inn.
There are four Inns, Middle, Inner, Gray’s and Lincoln.
I am a member of Middle Temple, and have been for quite some time. Throughout your career as a Barrister, your Inn will do a lot, whether that be dinners, networking, training etc.
You need to ask the Inn about becoming a member, and there is an application form to fill in, and I believe you had to provide details of two references.
Rebecca x