Bar Skills Course
1 Year Part Time | September Start

The Professional Practice and Ethics module is a year-long module delivered on the Bar Course and across the portfolio of Bar programmes at Northumbria University. On this module you will learn about the nature of professional practice and the professional values which underpin practice at the Bar of England and Wales. The module aims to develop knowledge of key areas of practice and instil and consolidate the essential qualities of ethical behaviour at the Bar by nurturing and developing these existing attributes in students to a high level. Encompassing more than the knowledge and formalities outlined in the Bar Standards Board Professional Statement for Barristers and the Code of Conduct the module will furnish far reaching and fundamental knowledge of ethics that underlies practice at the Bar.

The module seeks to:

- provide knowledge and understanding of the nature of professional practice at the Bar and key concepts and topics necessary for the development of an effective practice;
- inculcate the fundamental concepts of professional and ethical values required of a practising barrister at the Bar of England and Wales;
- provide knowledge and understanding of the philosophical issues and purposes underpinning ethical behaviour, including the concept of duty in professional life both to the client and to the rule of law;
- provide in-depth knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Bar Standards Board Handbook and Professional Statement.

The Criminal Professional Practice is a year-long module on the Bar Course and is delivered across the portfolio of Bar programmes at Northumbria University. It is designed to reflect the nature of criminal cases encountered during pupillage and the early years of practice.

This module involves the study of criminal practice in the context of realistic scenarios which incorporate fact management, case analysis, legal research, advocacy, drafting, opinion writing and conference skills, linked to the relevant procedural framework and ethical considerations as in practice. The module involves a number of different cases which raise legal and procedural scenarios of the kind that criminal practitioners regularly encounter in practice. It is designed to ensure that each student appreciates the importance of identifying legal, procedural, tactical and ethical issues when they arise.

This Criminal Professional Practice module is designed to build on existing legal knowledge and allows the acquisition of the s knowledge, skills and attributes necessary for practice as an effective and successful criminal practioner at the Bar. The module is supported throughout by research rich and practice informed learning and technology enhanced learning which are crucial to current legal practice in a demanding, rapidly changing legal landscape.

The Family Professional Practice module is a year-long module delivered on the Bar Course and across the portfolio of Bar programmes at Northumbria University. It is designed to reflect the nature of family cases encountered during pupillage and the early years of practice.

This module involves the study of family practice in the context of realistic scenarios which incorporate fact management, case analysis, legal research, advocacy, drafting, opinion writing and conference skills, linked to the relevant procedural framework and ethical considerations as in practice. The module involves a number of different cases which raise legal and procedural scenarios of the kind that family practitioners regularly encounter in practice with particular emphasis and dealing with financial consequences on the breakdown of relationships. These may include ancillary relief applications, occupation orders and non-molestation orders. It is designed to ensure that each student appreciates the importance of identifying legal, procedural, tactical and ethical issues when they arise.

This Family Professional Practice module is designed to build on existing legal knowledge and allows the acquisition of the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary for practice as an effective and successful family practitioner at the Bar. The module is supported throughout by research rich and practice informed learning and technology enhanced learning which are crucial to current legal practice in a demanding, rapidly changing legal landscape.

The Civil Professional Practice module is year-long module on the Bar Course and is delivered across the portfolio of Bar programmes at Northumbria University. It is designed to reflect the nature of civil cases encountered during pupillage and early years of practice.

This module involves the study of civil professional practice in the context of realistic scenarios which incorporate fact management, case analysis, legal research, advocacy, drafting, opinion writing and conference skills, linked to the relevant procedural framework and ethical considerations as in practice, including cases that settle. The module involves a number of different cases which raise legal and procedural scenarios of the kind that practitioners at the civil Bar regularly encounter in practice. Examples of the areas that will be covered include: Drafting pleadings: drafting opinions on liability and /or quantum; arguing interim applications and appeals. It is designed to ensure that each student appreciates the importance of identifying legal, procedural, tactical and ethical issues when they arise.

The Civil Professional Practice module is designed to build on existing legal knowledge and allows the acquisition of the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary for practice as an effective and successful civil practitioner at the Bar. The module is supported throughout by research rich and practice informed learning and technology enhanced learning which are crucial to current legal practice in a demanding, rapidly changing legal landscape.