£30
Under 5 years' call
Membership
Membership of the South Eastern Circuit
The Bar's largest Circuit, representing practitioners across London and the South-East. Membership opens the Circuit's advocacy training, professional representation, wellbeing support, and the collegiate life of its eleven constituent Bar Messes.
Annual Membership Subscriptions
Annual rates
£75
Over 5 years' call
£100
Silks (King's Counsel)
£60
Judges
Subscriptions are collected each October. Members may pay either through the chambers payment scheme (where the Circuit invoices Chambers directly), or by individual direct debit.
Renewing your subscription
Circuit subscriptions are collected each October, by whichever of the two routes you chose when you joined.
- Through your Chambers payment scheme
- The Circuit invoices your Chambers directly each October. There is nothing for you to set up.
- By individual direct debit
- Your subscription is collected by direct debit each October. If your bank details change, ask the Circuit office. You will receive a secure link to update them.
To move from one route to the other, see switching from the Chambers scheme in the questions below. Members can see the subscription details the office holds for them under My Profile in the members’ area.
Member Benefits
What members get
Advocacy Training
The Circuit funds and accredits leading advocacy programmes for its members. The Timothy Dutton CBE KC Advanced International Advocacy Course at Keble College, Oxford, is the flagship; scholarship-funded places on advocacy programmes in Florida are awarded annually.
Read more →Professional Representation
The Circuit represents members' interests with the senior judiciary, HMCTS, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Bar Council, the Bar Standards Board, and Government. The Officers, the Circuit Committee, and the eleven Bar Messes carry that voice into every relevant forum.
Read more →Collegiate Community
Membership of the relevant Bar Mess, Mess dinners, court liaison committees, mentoring opportunities, and access to the Bar Council Wellbeing Hub and LawCare. The Circuit also operates a confidential mentoring scheme.
Read more →Member Directory
A searchable directory of the membership across the South East — by practice area, seniority and location. Opt-in and member-to-member: find a colleague, or take a quiet word from one. Available in the member app.
Chambers Directory
Every set across the South East, listed with its clerking contacts. The quickest way to find the right chambers, whatever the area of practice. Available in the member app.
Court Directory
The full directory of South Eastern courts — Crown, magistrates', county, family, tribunal and specialist — with resident judges, listing contacts and practical notes. Far beyond the public Crown Court listing. Available in the member app.
Read more →Financial Support Fund
Confidential, discretionary grants of up to £1,500 for members in genuine financial hardship, decided by a panel of the Leader, the Treasurer and either the Recorder or the Junior.
Read more →Membership Categories
Who can join
Practising Members
Any barrister entitled to practise in England and Wales is eligible for membership of the Circuit.
Pupils
A pupil who has secured pupillage at a recognised set of Chambers on the Circuit, or other recognised pupillage-providing entity, is eligible for membership from the commencement of that pupillage.
Watch the film from our First Six Pupils eveningJudicial & Honorary Members
The Circuit may elect Honorary Members in recognition of exceptional contribution, and Judicial Members who are former members in judicial appointment. Both are non-voting.
How to Join
Four steps
Complete the form
Tell us who you are, your year of call, your Chambers, and how you would like to pay.
Choose your category
Under 5 years, Over 5 years, Silk, Pupil, Judicial or Honorary — pick the category that fits.
Set up payment
Either via your Chambers payment scheme or by individual direct debit.
Confirmation
The Circuit Administrator confirms your membership and your access to member services begins.
Membership Application
Apply to join
Membership Questions
FAQ
Who can join the Circuit?
Any practising barrister entitled to practise in England and Wales is eligible. Pupils at a recognised set of Chambers on the Circuit are eligible from the commencement of pupillage.
When are subscriptions collected?
Annually, each October. You can pay either through the Chambers payment scheme (the Circuit invoices Chambers directly) or by individual direct debit.
Can I switch from the Chambers scheme to individual direct debit?
Yes. Email the Membership team at membership@southeasterncircuit.com and the change is actioned in time for the next collection round.
How do I update my Chambers, contact details or call year?
Sign in to the members area at /app/home and edit your profile. The Administrator is notified of changes.
Are advocacy training places automatic for members?
Membership entitles you to apply for advocacy training places. Numbers on flagship courses such as the Timothy Dutton CBE KC course at Keble College are limited and competitively allocated each year.
How do I resign or pause my membership?
Resignation is by written notice to the Membership team at membership@southeasterncircuit.com. A barrister who is not practising is not eligible for membership; if your circumstances change temporarily, contact the Membership team to discuss.