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Legal Profession

Advocacy Training Council (ATC) The ATC was established by the Council of the Inns of Court, and is the body responsible for overseeing standards of advocacy training for the Bar of England and Wales. Its website provides information on all aspects of advocacy training, including the Hampel Method, and access to practical, evidence-based guidance on vulnerable witnesses and defendants through the Advocate's Gateway.

American Bar Association (ABA) The ABA is a voluntary organisation that represents the legal profession in the United States at a national level. Its membership consists of lawyers, law students and others interested in the law and the legal profession and its core activities include accrediting law schools and establishing model ethical codes. The ABA website provides a range of practical resources for lawyers as well as information for the public about the legal system and how the courts work.

Bar Council The General Council of the Bar, more commonly referred to as the Bar Council, provides representation, support and services for barristers in England and Wales. Its website contains information about member services and training as well as an extensive database of documents on professional practice and ethics.

Bar Pro Bono Unit The Bar Pro Bono Unit is a charity which matches barristers prepared to undertake work pro bono with those who need their help. For information on how to volunteer, visit the 'How to help' section of the website.

Bar Standards Board (BSB) The BSB is the independent regulatory board of the Bar Council, and is responsible for setting the educational and training requirements for becoming a barrister, continuing professional development, standards of conduct, handling complaints against barristers and taking disciplinary action. Their website includes access to the BSB Handbook, which contains the Code of Conduct, and the Barristers’ Register, a database of all barristers who are authorised to practise in England and Wales and have a current practising certificate.

Chambers Guides Chambers Guides rank the best law firms and lawyers in 185 jurisdictions worldwide, including the UK, Europe and the USA, and are searchable by name, location or area of law.

Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) The CCBE represents the bars and law societies of 32 member countries and 13 further associate and observer countries. It is recognised as the voice of the legal profession in Europe and acts as the liaison between the EU and Europe's national bars and law societies. The website includes a database of European lawyers and guidance on working in other EU Member States.

Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) The JAC is an independent body that selects candidates for judicial office in courts and tribunals in England and Wales, and for some tribunals whose jurisdiction extends to Scotland or Northern Ireland. Its website provides information about the selection process and details of current and forthcoming selection exercises.

Judicial College (formerly the Judicial Studies Board) The Judicial College was established in 2011 and is responsible for training all judicial office holders in England and Wales. The College's Prospectus, which gives details of the national seminars, circuit seminars, academic programme and European law e-leaning programme which make up its curriculum, may be downloaded from this site.

Juriosity Juriosity is a new directory, professional network and digital self-publishing platform for the legal market. Juriosity is home to the official Bar Directory and incorporates a new legal knowledge network and self-publishing platform.

Law Society The Law Society is the independent professional body for solicitors in England and Wales. Their website includes Find a Solicitor, a service which searches the official directory of solicitors, and online access to the Law Society Gazette

Legal 500 A guide to law firms and lawyers worldwide, aimed at buyers of legal services, particularly general and corporate counsel. Firms are ranked according to location and practice area. Leading individuals in each field are also listed.

Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Locator A directory of U.S. and international lawyers and law firms, searchable by name, practice area or location.

Pupillage Gateway The Pupillage Gateway is the Bar Council’s online pupillage application system. All vacancies are advertised on the Gateway, and approximately 100 chambers require you to apply through the Gateway as well. Detailed instructions on how to apply can be found in the 'Applicant User Guide'. Key dates in the application process may be found in the 'Timetable' section of the website.

King's Counsel Appointments Recommendations for the award of King’s Counsel are made by the King's Counsel Selection Panel which is independent of the Bar Council, the Law Society and of Government. This site contains information and guidance on the current competition for both applicants and assessors, as well as  information about recently completed competitions, including a list of appointments.

Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) The SRA is the independent regulatory body of the Law Society. It deals with all regulatory and disciplinary matters, and sets, monitors and enforces standards for solicitors across England and Wales. Their website provides access to the SRA Handbook which includes the Code of Conduct.