//Welcome to BACFI

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BACFI represents the interests of employed and non practising barristers providing legal services in commerce, finance and industry - the CFI Bar. It also welcomes student members and members of the Inns of Court who are interested in a career outside Chambers.

BACFI was founded in 1965 and merged in 2004 with the Employed and non practising Barristers' Association (ENPBA). BACFI provides representation, education and support to barristers working in a commercial environment and works to promote "one Bar", to ensure that the status and interests of our members are fully recognised and taken into account by the Bar Council and the Bar Standards Board (BSB).

In 2000, employed barristers were granted equal practising rights with the self employed and gained 14 elected seats on the Bar Council. BACFI is a recognised Specialist Bar Association and though it remains independent of Bar Council, members sit on the Council and many of its Committees. BACFI is also represented on the BSB and some of its committees and through its Professional Issues Committee contributes on members' behalf to both BSB and Bar Council consultations. If you are interested in contributing to BACFI's work or in standing for election to the Bar Council or appointment to the BSB, please contact us.

BACFI also focuses on professional development and career opportunities for its members and hosts a variety of CPD seminars and social networking events throughout the year. Our flagship Denning Lecture and Christmas party is the highlight of our social year.

Membership is open to all barristers and student members of the Inns of Court. To join BACFI, click here.

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO PRACTISING CERTIFICATES

Changes to how to obtain and renew a practising certificate will be implemented in 2012. For details please see the paper on authorisation to practice.

Next Event

On Wednesday 23 May, join us for our Legal Practice Forum at McFarlanes.  Speakers include John Dodsworth of McFarlanes, Professor John Flood and Vanessa Davies, Director of the Bar Standards Board.  Topics for this session cover direct access to the bar, innovative law firm offerings, increase in competition in the ABS environment, the online registration system, new Code of Conduct, future for ‘unregistered barristers’ and CPD.  Please register in advance by email or telephone (01525) 222 244.

Latest News

Why are there so few pupillages available in FTSE 100 firms?  Read the BACFI / BSB workshop report.

Please see here for the first Legal Education and Training Review (LETR) e-news bulletin. If any BACFI member is in interested in contributing to the LETR please contact Esme Chandler.

Gray's Inn opened registration for its 2012 New Practitioners Weekend on 18-20 May. See the brochure for further information and apply now.

BACFI CONGRATULATES: Lucinda Orr, BACFI Vice Chairman, who has been awarded a prestigious 2012 Pegasus Scholarship for young lawyers by the American Inns of Court. In May, Lucinda will embark on a crowded six week programme of legal work shadowing in the USA. Needless to say, her (US) employer, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom (UK) LLP, is pretty impressed too and will be granting her leave of absence to undertake the visit. Well done Lucinda!

BACFI / CLS Annual Prize  On 7th December 2011 BACFI Chairman, Tricia Howse, presented the BACFI / CLS prize to the 2010/2011 winner Ryan Deane. The prize is awarded to the student who achieves the highest aggregate mark in the Commercial Law options. All students take two optional subjects on the BPTC and the options which are considered to be Commercial for the purpose of the prize are Commercial Law, Company Law and Fraud & Financial Crime. Only those students who take two of these three modules are eligible for the award. Ryan received a cheque for £250 and a year’s free BACFI membership. We wish Ryan well in his future career at the Bar.

Consultation proposals on Judicial appointments and diversity:  Please see here for proposals put forward by the Ministry of Justice.

BACFI was delighted that The Rt Hon Lord Justice Munby, Chairman of the Law Commission, was able to give our Denning Lecture on 29th November at Inner Temple. It was entitled “Shaping the Law – the Law Commission at the crossroads” and the text is now available here.

Barristers needed for the ‘Speak up for others – a career as a barrister’ scheme (outside London). Could you give up a few hours to speak at a school about a career as a barrister? If so, and you are outside London, please volunteer. This scheme aims to enhance awareness of the role and training path of barristers, particularly within schools currently without access to this information. The Bar Council will match you with a school in your chosen area (where you live or work) and provide materials for the talk. Further details are available here.

The Professional Issues committee is currently engaged in many important professional activities and welcomes input from members.  Further details can be found on the Professional Issues page.

New Situations & Vacancies

Internship opportunities and requests -- See featured candidates
Tips on EU Vacancies from an Insider
Judicial Appointments Commission -- Forthcoming selection exercises for 2012