In order to practise at the Bar of England and Wales, barristers
must have a current Practising Certificate. It is a criminal
offence to practise at the Bar of England and Wales without a
current Practising Certificate.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
All barristers are required to complete CPD hours and return a
record card to the BSB annually. In the first three years' of
practice, newly qualified practitioners are required to complete 45
hours of CPD, including at least nine hours of Advocacy
Training and three hours of Ethics (the "New Practitioners'
Programme"). After the first three years of practice, barristers
are required to undertake 12 hours of CPD each year (the
"Established Practitioners' Programme").