Higher Rights

BPP is accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to provide the training and assessment necessary to become a solicitor advocate. We have a highly experienced teaching team of solicitors, solicitor advocates and barristers, as well as comprehensive course materials.

We provide options for both qualified and trainee solicitors.

Trainee Solicitors

If you are a PSC student, your route to Higher Rights of Audience is via the Development Route. This route involves completing the following two stages:

Stage 1 - Procedure, Ethics & Evidence

This is the academic stage of the training. It includes 3 days of training and a 2 hour 15 minute written examination. You can specialise in either civil or criminal proceedings, but some time will be spent on your non-specialist subject.

Civil Criminal
Course:
Assessment:
23 - 25 Nov 2009
30 Nov 2009
25 - 27 Nov 2009
04 Dec 2009
Course:
Assessment:
11 - 13 Jan 2010
22 Jan 2010

Stage 2 - Advocacy

This includes 3 days of training and a written and an oral assessment. You can specialise in either civil or criminal proceedings, but some time will be spent on your non-specialist subject. By undertaking Stage 1 of the Development Route, you will satisfy your entire elective requirement. You can undertake Stage 2 of the Development Route as part of your PSC, or at a later date once you have qualified.

Civil Criminal
Course:
Assessment:
16 - 18 Dec 2009
22 Dec 2009
11 - 13 Nov 2009
20 Nov 2009
Course:
Assessment:
17 - 19 Mar 2010
26 Mar 2010
10-12 Feb 2010
19 Feb 2010

Download your PSC Higher Rights booking form here .

Solicitors

Under the Higher Court Qualification Regulations 2000 there are three ways for solicitors to obtain rights of audience in the Higher Courts, as follows:

Development Route

This route is appropriate if you are under three years qualified, or do not currently satisfy the experience requirements of the other two routes. It can be undertaken by trainee solicitors after the successful completion of the Legal Practice Course. You can specialise in either civil or criminal proceedings, but will still be qualified to appear in either.

This route involves completing the following:

Stage 1 - Procedure, Ethics & Evidence

This is the academic stage of the training. It includes 3 days of training and a 2 hour 15 minute written examination in procedure, ethics and evidence. You can specialise in either civil or criminal proceedings, but some time will be spent on your non-specialist subject.

Stage 2 - Advocacy

Includes 3-days of training plus a written and an oral assessment in Higher Court advocacy skills. You can specialise in either civil or criminal proceedings, but some time will be spent on your non-specialist subject.

Accreditation Route

This route is suitable for those solicitors who have been practising for at least three years. If you wish to choose this route you must first obtain a certificate of eligibility from the Solicitors Regulation Authority. To obtain this you must document that you have suitable advocacy or judicial experience and are suitably experienced and qualified to exercise rights of audience before the Higher Courts.

This route then involves completing Stage 2 - Advocacy of the Development Route. Again you can specialise in either civil or criminal proceedings, but some time will be spent on your non-specialist subject.

Exemption Route

This route is only suitable for those who can demonstrate to the Solicitors Regulation Authority extensive experience of advocacy in the Higher Courts of England and Wales, or a comparable jurisdiction relevant to the award for which you intend to apply. There is no written or oral assessment for this route. Contact the Solicitors Regulation Authority for further details.

Download your CPD Higher Rights booking form here.

Membership Scheme

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