The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has voiced its opposition to limiting the number of places on the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) after submitting its response to Lord Neuberger's working party on access to the profession.

The BSB delivered its response to the Entry to the Bar Working Group interim report today (29 May), saying it could not see how limiting the number of BVC places would increase quality or diversity at the Bar.

The BSB – the newly-formed regulatory arm of the Bar Council – also rejected plans to increase the minimum academic requirement for BVC entry to a 2:1, although it did back plans to help candidates from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, including a Bar loan scheme.

The body also supported proposals that could require barristers' chambers to offer students pupillage before they commit to studying the BVC.

Neuberger's working party issued its long-awaited consultation paper on access to the Bar last month (5 April). Its final recommendations are expected to be published later this year.

BSB director Mark Stobbs said: "The BSB, through its newly established Education & Training Committee, is keen to consider the working group's proposals on quality and access to the profession."

In a Legal Week Big Question survey last month, almost three-quarters (73%) of partners backed plans to raise the bar for BVC entry to a 2:1, although support for capping the number of BVC places was less clear cut, with 55% of respondents backing the idea.

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