The trainee barristers intimidated by dinner

SIR – MG Curl (Letters, October 16) writes that it is mystifying why the Bar Standards Board is suggesting that some student barristers may find the tradition of dining in hall in the Inns of Court intimidating, given that they need to be ready to face open court in their careers.

The suggestion is not originally ours, however. Our current review of bar training is based on research and consultation with the profession, and this suggestion has been put to us in our research by some student barristers themselves.

That research has also shown that many barristers, including those from less privileged backgrounds, find the tradition of dining extremely helpful to them in their careers.

Our review is not all about dinners. We have been reviewing every stage of bar training, from law degree to the beginning of practice, in the hope that we can help to make bar training more accessible, more affordable and more flexible, while sustaining the high standards for which the bar is famous.

We simply want to ensure that everyone who has the ability to become a barrister has the opportunity to do so, regardless of their background and means.

My board, half of whom are practising barristers, are open-minded about the best way forward and we want to hear from as many people as possible.

Sir Andrew Burns

Chairman, Bar Standards Board London WC1