Bar Transfer Test (BTT)

The Bar Transfer Test is the test for solicitors and lawyers from overseas jurisdictions transferring to the Bar of England and Wales.

The Bar Standards Board has placed the information about the BTT course on their website. This contains useful information on the exam requirements and some guidance for returning candidates.

Key Information

  • Qualify to practise at the Bar of England and Wales
  • Choose between two sittings a year typically in April and September
  • Expert tutors with hands-on, professional experience
  • BPP University organises, sets and marks the BTT on behalf of the Bar Standards Board
  • Learn with one of the UK's leading Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) providers
  • If you have a query regarding obtaining the necessary exemption to sit the Bar Transfer Test you should contact the Bar Standards Board at the following email address: BTT@barstandardsboard.org.uk

Your passport to the Bar

The Bar Transfer test (BTT) consists of two sections - Part A and Part B:

Part A (Legal Foundation Subjects)

  1. Public Law (Constitutional, Administrative Law and Human Rights)
  2. Law of the European Union
  3. Criminal Law
  4. Obligations (Contract, Restitution and Tort)
  5. Property/Land Law
  6. Equity and the Law of Trusts
  7. English Legal System

Part B

  1. Advocacy; (Oral assessments consisting Civil applications, Cross examination and Examination in Chief) 
  2. Civil Litigation & Evidence  
  3. Criminal Litigation, Evidence & Sentencing
  4. Professional Ethics

BPP University offers training options for the Part B section of the BTT

Training for the BTT

 

  • The training for Professional Ethics, Criminal Litigation and Civil Litigation are optional. The optional training is available in both a classroom format and an online format. The online format consists of video recordings and a scheduled webinar
  • The training for Advocacy is compulsory for all candidates being required to take part B-8
  • All candidates will be granted access to the BTT VLE ( virtual learning environment) approximately one month before registration
  • All candidates will receive access to the Law school’s online library approximately one month before registration
  • Mock assessments will be sent out to candidates approximately one month before registration
  • Candidates are advised to self-study, utilising the BSB’s BTT handbook where the reading list and syllabus can be located for each section of the BTT
  • All candidates will be expected to demonstrate that their oral and written English language ability is readily comprehensible to native English speakers. For those with any doubt as to the level of their English skills, they are strongly advised to undertake an approved English language test.

 

Modules

Litigation & Evidence - Papers 10 and 11

Candidates will be examined on the basis of reported and published case law as of 1 October in the year preceding the date of examinations (with a "year" running from start January to end December).

As regards primary and secondary legislation, candidates will be examined on legislation that has been published by 1 October in the year preceding the date of examinations, provided a commencement date has been specified for the provision that is prior to the 1 February in the following year.

As regards Civil Procedure Rules, the law will be treated as that stated or described in the current White Book as being then in force. The current White Book should be taken to mean the latest published edition of the 2 volumes plus the latest cumulative supplement (if any) as of 1 October in the year preceding the diet of assessments.

For example, for the assessment in April 2015, this would require candidates to apply the law as at 1 October 2014 and not beyond this date.

Civil Litigation & Evidence

  • Procedure of a civil claim from start to finish
  • The overriding objective of the Civil Procedure Rules, the important pre-action stage, commencement of proceedings (including which court to choose and to which track the claim will be allocated) through to trial, appeal and enforcement
  • Interim applications (including injunctions and summary judgment)
  • Multiple causes of action and multiple parties, funding, costs and evidence

Criminal Litigation & Evidence

  • Procedure of a criminal trial from arrest to appeal
  • Arrest, detention, interview and charge First appearances and bail
  • Pre-trial applications
  • The trial process in the Magistrates', Crown and Youth Courts
  • Sentencing
  • Appeals
  • Evidence: Hearsay, inferences, character, confessions, identification

It is an essential prerequisite of each session that you have read around the subject matter prior to the session. This course will only run subject to minimum numbers

Professional Ethics – Paper 11

At the seminar candidates will have the opportunity to:

  • Become familiar with the structure and contents of the Code of Conduct
  • Become familiar with parts of the Code of Conduct dealing with barristers’ relationships with lay clients
  • Become familiar with parts of the Code of Conduct dealing with barristers’ relationships with professional clients
  • Become familiar with parts of the Code of Conduct dealing with the acceptance, refusal and return of instructions
  • Understand the application of professional ethics on the BTT in general
  • Become familiar with the format of the ethics assessment for the BTT
  • Practice sample questions equivalent to the assessment

Advocacy Training - Paper 8

This is a three day programme, the first day of the advocacy course is in the form of a lecture and covers aspects of preparation for the advocacy assessments including:

  • Delivery
  • Case theory
  • Examination in chief and cross examination
  • Preparation of skeleton arguments

On the second and third day candidates will have the opportunity to practice their advocacy skills in tutorials and mock assessment situations.

This training course is compulsory if you are taking Paper 8 of the test for the first time.


Admissions

In order to apply for the BTT candidates must first apply to the Qualifications Committee within the Bar Standards Board who has the power to exempt individuals from the Academic, Vocational and/or Professional stages of training for the Bar.  Once a decision letter has been received from the BSB you will be able to apply to sit the BTT through BPP. More information and contact details can be found here

Please download and complete our BTT Application Form. The application form needs to be submitted along with the supporting documents as specified on the application form to:

Bar Transfer Test

BPP University
Fifth Floor St James' Building
79 Oxford Road
Manchester
M1 6FQ

Email address for submissions is BTT@BPP.com
Or call 0330 060 3331

 

Study locations

The Bar Transfer Test is held at our Law School in London Holborn.