Bar Standards Board - Interim Policy for Waivers from Application Fees for Applications to the Qualifications Committee

Interim Policy for Waivers from Application Fees for Applications to the Qualifications Committee

1. In the case of applications for Certificates of Academic Standing (Credit Transfer), the Bar Standards Board will waive the application fee where an applicant has been compelled to transfer credit from one institution to another because of illness or other special circumstances. Full independent evidence of the circumstances surrounding the credit transfer must be provided with the application, eg medical evidence where the reason is illness.

2. In the case of applications for Retrospective Registration of Pupillage, the Bar  Standards Board will waive the application where the applicant supplies a "Certificate of Postage" showing that an application for registration of pupillage was in fact posted to the Bar Standards Board prior to commencement of pupillage.

3. In the case of applications for waiver or extension of time in relation to CPD requirements, the Bar Standards Board will waive the application fee where the waiver or extension of time sought is equivalent to the length of a break in practice on the basis of illness, bereavement, maternity/paternity leave or caring responsibilities for a dependent. All applications must be accompanied by

• i) Evidence of the circumstances leading to the break in practice (eg medical evidence)
• ii) Confirmation from the applicant's Head of Chambers or employer of the break in practice.

4. In the case of applications for licensed access, the Bar Standards Board will waive the application fee where the applicant is a registered charity. Evidence of charitable status must be supplied.

5. The Bar Standards Board may waive the application fee for any type of application on the basis of truly exceptional financial hardship. Relevant financial evidence must be supplied with any application for waiver, ie:

• i) Evidence of receipt of a means-tested benefit (eg Income Support, Housing Benefit, Income based Jobseekers Allowance); and/or
• ii) Three months' worth of bank statements; and/or
• iii) Most recent tax return.

6. When considering an application for waiver of an application fee on the basis of financial hardship, the Bar Standards Board may take into account the merits of the substantive application for which the fee waiver is sought.

24.03.2009