Law degree change

Rules applying to law degrees could be tightened under new proposals of the joint committee of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB).

According to this week’s Law Society Gazette, under the proposed new rules any student who fails a foundation subject within 5% of the pass mark will no longer be permitted to continue with their course.  Professor Gwyneth Pitt, Chair of the Joint Academic Stage Board, said the consultations “intend to improve the standards of the qualifying law degree. We welcome comments from all those with an interest in maintaining high standards within legal education.”  

Students who want to go on to qualify as a barrister or solicitor must take a ‘qualifying law graduates’ which will include the seven ‘foundation’ subjects which are criminal law, tort, constitutional law, contract, land law, equity and trusts, and EU law.