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Public Access Training with The Barrister Group

As one of a limited number of training providers accredited by the BSB, The Barrister Group is delighted to share its Public Access training course.  

The dates of our upcoming training sessions can be found below.

public access training
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BSB Approved

Fully compliant training, officially accredited and regulated by The Bar Standards Board. 

4-Oct-20-2023-03-19-34-2528-PM

Nationwide Availability

Digital training dates available to practitioners throughout England and Wales.

3-Oct-20-2023-03-19-34-2528-PM

Evidence-backed

Designed with unique insights from running two of the UK’s largest direct access service providers.

Upcoming training dates

We offer a number of public access training opportunities, both in person and online.

Our upcoming training dates can be found below.

Untitled design (10)  Friday, 17th October 2025

This session will take place online, and will last from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

We are currently accepting registrations for this training session.

Register Your Interest

By submitting your details, you consent to being contacted by The Barrister Group with regards to upcoming public access training opportunities.

Frequently asked questions

For information on training outcomes, exemptions, and qualified person requirements, please see the BSB website.

What does the course cover?

The training package comprises of:  

  • 3 hours self-directed learning using workbooks as guides which can also service a reference material.  
  • 3 hours pre-recorded webinars (AML and GDPR) including review of workbooks provided as a guide.   
  • A 6 hours live interactive workshop – both virtual and in-person will be available which will include:  
  • Case studies and information sharing and discussion sessions.  
  • Practical interactive sessions.   
  • A 3 hour on-line self assessment.  

Our experience in training, and feedback received has shown us that people learn best when they can learn in a variety of ways and can also be actively engaged in the experience. Therefore we have carefully and specifically designed the training package to meet the needs and learning styles of different participants. This includes a mixture of the following training methods:  

  • Self-directed learning using workbooks as guides.  
  • Pre-recorded webinars.  
  • Live workshops. 
  • Case studies and information sharing and discussion sessions.  
  • Practical interactive sessions.   

The training will cover 5 modules and each has its own specially designed workbook: 

  1. Regulatory and legal requirements  
  2. UK GDPR  
  3. Anti-money laundering  
  4. Client care and management  
  5. Practice management  
How much does it cost?

As above, during the training, you will receive:  

  • 5 specially designed workbooks  
  • A 6 hours interactive training session   
  • 2, 1 hour pre-recorded webinars to view at your convenience  
  • A specifically designed multiple choice assessment  
  • A personalised feedback document  
  • Certificates to confirm attendance/viewing of all webinars 

Even though TBG has provided more material and content than other public access courses, it has kept the cost within the same range as other providers at £495 plus VAT.  

What does the assessment process look like?

In order to pass the training satisfactorily, participants will be required to pass assessment measures. The assessment will consist of:  

  1. An online assessment based on multiple choice answers. The basis of this assessment is to support the trainee in consolidating and validating the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired or demonstrated through the training.  
  2. This will represent 70% of the score. 
  3. A subjective score (between 1-15 with 15 being excellent participation) from the training facilitator(s) on how well the participant engaged during the training session. 
  4. This will represent 15% of the score.  

N.B. if a participant does not engage in the training to the detriment of the learning experience of the individual or others in the learning environment, they will not secure a score in this measure which could mean a negative result and failure to pass the course. 

  1. Evidence of viewing the videos of the recorded training sessions. 
  2. This will represent 10% of the score. 
  3. Evidence of viewing/downloading the workbooks provided. 
  4. This will represent 5% of the score.  

A score of 70% overall is considered satisfactory completion of the assessment.  

What guidance and feedback will I receive?

In order to ensure that a self-reflective approach is taken to the training and in the interests of ongoing competence, every participant will receive a report containing their scores as mapped against the learning outcomes.

This also ensures transparency of the learning experience and allows individuals to be aware of their strengths and weaknesses and to consider areas for improvement in accordance with competences 2.5 and 2.6 of the Professional Statement for Barristers.  

What additional support is available?

Where individuals fail on the first attempt, we will consider on a case-by-case basis whether to offer additional training support on a 1:1 basis at additional cost. The decision as to whether to offer such support will depend on the level of failure and the extent of engagement by the individual. 

Complaints

Anyone who wishes to complain against a failure to pass the course or any other aspect of the training may do so by submitting their complaint to the Professional Standards Team at professionalstandards@thebarristergroup.co.uk. If reasonable adjustments are required and the individual wishes to make a complaint by recorded telephone meeting, they should contact the Professional Standard Team on 01823 247247 and a meeting to register the complaint will be arranged at a mutually convenient time.  

Upon receipt of the complaint, the Professional Standards Team or a person delegated by them will consider the complaint and seek clarity from the complainant if necessary. The complainant will receive an email confirming our understanding of the complaint for agreement to ensure certainly for both parties. The complainant will be required to confirm the understanding of the complaint or provide clarification within 7 days.  

Upon agreement of the complaint, the matter will be reviewed and investigated and a response sent to the complainant within 14 days of the complaint points being agreed.  

Appeals

If a participant wishes to appeal against a failure of the training course, they should submit a complaint as the first stage which will be assessed as above.  

If on receipt of the complaint response, the complainant disagrees with the outcome, they can lodge an appeal which will be referred to the Strategy and Operations Manager who is  independent of the public access training function and a member of the Senior Management Team.  

The understanding of the basis of the appeal will be sent to the appellant for agreement to ensure certainly for both parties. They will be required to confirm the understanding of the appeal or provide clarification within 7 days.  

Upon agreement of the appeal, the matter will be reviewed and investigated and a response sent to the appellant within 14 days of the appeal being agreed.  

Arbitration

If following the outcome of the appeal, the appellant does not agree, the matter will be referred to arbitration. The Barrister Group will select 3 independent arbitrators, and the appellant will nominate one of these to whom the matter will be referred.  

The outcome of the arbitration will be binding, and the cost will be borne by the unsuccessful party as determined by the arbitration. 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Barrister Group’s entire ethos is aligned with inclusion within the legal profession, particularly the Bar. In its 20-year history (formerly as Clerksroom) it has taken a different approach to recruitment of barrister members and provision of services which has demonstrably improved accessibility to the Bar. That ethos will continue with the delivery of our Public Access training course and one of our objectives is to deliver a course which encourages barristers to ensure that the expectations of Public Access clients are managed effectively and in a way which ensures fair access to justice and high standards of delivery of legal services.  

In support of these principles, you can view TBG’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy which can be found here: TBG EDI Policy  

We have assessed our training material to ensure it is inclusive and gives fair access to all and will continue to monitor this as set out below. As a result, we are able to:  

  • Provide voice recorded versions of all training material.  
  • We ensure that all images have descriptions.  
  • Confirm that our online assessment tool has been assessed as suitable for neurodivergent participants.  

We also have in place a process for individuals to request any further reasonable adjustments which we will consider and deal with in accordance with our Reasonable Adjustments Policy which can be found here: TBG Reasonable Adjustments Policy 

Additionally, if hard copy or alternative versions of the training materials are required, please contact the Professional Standards Team at professionalstandards@thebarristergroup.co.uk 

Collection of EDI Data

In support of this ethos and in line with the BSB’s expectations, we invite you to take part in our EDI survey which you can do  here.

This data will be collected anonymously so we will not process personal data. However, you can find our Data Protection Privacy Notice here.