Congratulations to Benjamin Pitman!

Chambers sends it's congratulations to Benjamin Pitman who was called to the Bar by Gray's Inn last week.

Call is the date at which aspiring barristers are formally recognised to have passed the vocational stage of training. Barristers are called to the Bar by their Inn of Court (Middle Temple, Inner Temple, Gray's Inn or Lincoln's Inn). It is the culmination of many years of training - in Benjamin's case, he had already qualified and practised as a solicitor before choosing to transfer to the Bar. 

Usually, those being called will have completed a degree, the Bar course and then 10 qualifying sessions at their chosen Inn - training sessions run by members of the Inn on a variety of topics. In Benjamin's case, he had to apply to the Bar Standards Board which set down various requirements for his transfer to be recognised - such as undergoing a period of non-practising pupillage. 

Aspiring barristers are not obliged to be called as soon as they have completed the Bar course, but do have to be called before they start the practising period of pupillage - the period in which they conduct their own advocacy in court. Once you have been called, you are entitled to call yourself a barrister but in order to represent clients in court, you must also complete pupillage and obtain a practising certificate. 

The ceremony is formal and those being called are required to wear dark suits with a court shirt and bands, or a court shirt and collar with bands, or a collarette, and a barrister’s gown. Wigs are generally not required. The ceremony is followed by a reception to celebrate this achievement!