Where an application for a New South Wales barrister's practising certificate is received from a lawyer who has previously held a New South Wales barrister’s practising certificate but has failed to renew their certificate, the following policy should apply:

• Where the applicant is returning to the Bar within two years of their last practising certificate, and the previous certificate did not have Readers conditions attached, the applicant will not be required to undertake the Bar Exams or any aspect of the reading programme.

• Where the applicant is returning to the Bar within two years, and the applicant previously held a Reader’s practising certificate, the applicant must complete any outstanding reading requirements.

• Where the applicant is returning to the Bar, and more than two years have elapsed since the last practising certificate, the applicant may be required to undertake one or more of the Bar Exams and all or part of the reading programme. This shall be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Executive Director, consulting as appropriate with the Director, Professional Development and members of the Bar Council Executive.