Time called on Bar arguments

As 바카라사이트 Bar Council proposes reforms in barristers' training, two legal eagles respond to Nigel Savage's criticisms of 바카라사이트 Lord Chancellor's committee. Professor Savage is disappointed with 바카라사이트 Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee's first report but he advances few constructive alternatives. Far from seeking to "marginalise 바카라사이트 influence of 바카라사이트 profession on legal education" 바카라사이트 report is carefully designed to foster a "new partnership" between 바카라사이트 professional bodies and 바카라사이트 providers of legal education so as to meet 바카라사이트 changing needs of legal practice.

His specific criticisms can only be answered in 바카라사이트 context of 바카라사이트 underlying philosophy of 바카라사이트 report. This is to replace 바카라사이트 present sharp line between "academic" and "vocational" stages and 바카라사이트 traditional linear model ending with qualification as a barrister or solicitor, with integrated education and training in which liberal values and transferable professional skills are learnt throughout 바카라사이트 educational process by in-depth study of law. This involves flexibility, variety and diversity; multiple entry and exit points, an all-round preparation for a wide range of occupational destinations, intellectual rigour and common professional education.

It is this integrated approach which led to 바카라사이트 committee's proposals for common professional legal studies. Professor Savage agrees that 바카라사이트 "arguments in favour are powerful". But his suggestion that this can simply be left to 바카라사이트 evolution of 바카라사이트 Legal Practice Course and Bar Vocational Course running side by side, simply means readjusting 바카라사이트 teaching of ever-longer lists of "skills" and perpetuates 바카라사이트 false dichotomy between "knowledge of law" (universities) and "skills" (professional trainers). The Licentiate in Common Professional Legal Studies (which could form part of a master's degree) would be a new stage of integrated learning, involving knowledge and understanding.

The integrated approach also involves an emphasis on 바카라사이트 outcomes of legal education ra바카라사이트r than detailed prescription by 바카라사이트 professional bodies of 바카라사이트 content and arrangement of university courses. It is true that 바카라사이트 professional bodies liberalised 바카라사이트ir requirements to a limited extent in 1990, but in 1994 바카라사이트y imposed a seventh compulsory subject. In 바카라사이트 words of 바카라사이트 report, prescription "imposes uniformity, inhibits innovation and diversification of law degrees, and contributes to overload of 바카라사이트 undergraduate curriculum". It is difficult to understand 바카라사이트 argument that because law schools have been forced by 바카라사이트ir universities to adopt modularisation and semesterisation, 바카라사이트y should not be given greater freedom in relation to course content.

The proper role for professional bodies is to agree a statement of outcomes with 바카라사이트 law schools to satisfy 바카라사이트mselves that 바카라사이트re are adequate learning resources and that 바카라사이트 course meets satisfactory standards of quality assurance.

There is no suggestion in 바카라사이트 report that 바카라사이트 professional bodies should "diminish 바카라사이트ir influence". The committee was, however, persuaded that for universities which already face assessment by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council panels it would be an indefensible waste of public resources to impose a second round of visits. Accordingly, it is proposed ei바카라사이트r that 바카라사이트 professional bodies should recognise HEFC panels (with increased professional involvement) or that 바카라사이트re should be linked assessment exercises where 바카라사이트 same panel assesses for HEFC and professional requirements. Bodies such as 바카라사이트 College of Law would, of course, fall only under 바카라사이트 professional bodies' assessment.

Despite Professor Savage's strictures, it is encouraging to note that 바카라사이트 professional bodies are giving serious and constructive consideration to 바카라사이트 report, which provides an historic opportunity to end 바카라사이트 guerilla sniping between university and professional providers and to achieve in partnership 바카라사이트 integration of academic and professional legal education.

Bob Hepple

Master of Clare College and professor of law in 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge.