CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE

[shams79]

I have just received a two year conditional discharge for failure to notify DWP of a change in my circumstances, can I still become a barrister.

[sara3]

you have a criminal record.. don't you know the answer?

[Teleph0ne]

Yes, but it might make things a bit awkward until the convivtion is spent!

[New Judge]

And it may even cause difficulties even then.

Applicants for most posts and positions in the legal profession (and certainly that of Barrister) are not protected by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. (This states that once a conviction is “spent” it need not be declared when making an application for a jobs or position of trust).

Here is an extract from the eligibility criteria for the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple – one of the main associations to which Barristers belong:

“The Inn does consider applications from people with previous convictions. However, the process will take longer, as the application will go before the Masters of the Bench on the Admission and Call Committee. They will decide whether you can be admitted to the Inn.”

Although the sentence you received was relatively light, the offence you committed was one of deceit or dishonesty. You would need to check with one of the Barristers’ Associations to establish their policy in these circumstances.

[fredpuli47]

The other associations, in case you're wondering, are three [The Honourable Society of] Gray's Inn,Middle Temple and Lincoln's Inn.All are in the same small area of London. You have to join one of the four to become a barrister.

[fredpuli47]

By the way, we don't call them 'associations' though it's a descriptive term.We call them 'Inns' and you'd say which Inn you belonged to, were a 'member' of. You're a member as soon as you join, as a student.They are the four 'Inns of Court' but we call them 'Inns' for short.

[sara3]

also, charges under s112 of the SSAA do not include the word "dishonestly", just failure to declare a change of circs.

[New Judge]

No sara. But the offence is one of dishonesty or deceit.