Attracting talented individuals from every social and racial background to a career as a barrister has been one of the Bar Council's primary objectives for many years. We strongly feel that no one should ever think that the Bar is not for them. That is why we encourage people right from their schooldays to think of joining the Bar, and that is why we support projects such as the successful mock trials competition and visits to chambers. The recent BBC2 documentary series, The Barristers, has left no doubt just how diverse are the origins of those now entering the profession.

Of course, no one should think that life at the Bar is anything other than highly competitive. That is inevitable in a profession which puts quality first. Obtaining pupillage is a major challenge, but for over 10 years LawCareers.Net has been assisting BVC students to overcome the challenge. Like the Bar Council, they wish to see aspirations unleashed.

As the government white paper and the Alan Milburn panel have recently emphasised, the health of our system of justice is dependent on its practitioners being representative of the whole of the society which they serve. Lord Neuberger completed a thorough report on entry to the Bar in November 2007. Its recommendations built on previous work by the Bar Council, and have inspired us to redouble our efforts. You can follow the progress of implementation of those recommendations on the Bar Council's website.

Pupillage represents the final stage of training before becoming a barrister. It is uniquely useful for entrants to a profession where learning comes, in considerable measure, from experience. LawCareers.Net provides useful information about training as a barrister, mini-pupillages and life as a barrister. It is well researched and gives the reader an abundance of up-to-date relevant information. More information can, of course, be accessed via the Bar Council’s website at www.barcouncil.org.uk or from www.pupillages.com, which gives easy access to all vacancies.

Good luck with your future at the Bar. I and 15,000 employed and self-employed members of the Bar Council are waiting to welcome you.

Desmond Browne QC
Chairman of the Bar

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