Which Bar Opinion Writing edition is valid for exams now?

9th ed (2026): Current edition - published July 2026. Always check the edition against your exam sitting before buying.

Bar Opinion Writing books

Q: Can I use last year's Bar Opinion Writing edition?

Usually, yes. Skills manuals teach technique rather than the latest law, so a 2024 edition covers much the same method. OUP's City Law School Bar Manuals move to a new edition every two years, each July, and the 2026 editions replaced the 2024 ones (now out of print). The older edition's worked examples cite the law and procedure as they stood in 2024, and your provider may set the current edition - check your course reading list before buying an older copy.

The standard books for Bar Opinion Writing from OUP - check which edition is worth buying, then get it used from someone who just passed.

Bar · Bar course skills

Can I use last year's Bar Opinion Writing edition?

Usually, yes

Skills manuals teach technique rather than the latest law, so a 2024 edition covers much the same method.

Valid for exams now

9th ed (2026) - Current edition - published July 2026

Every edition and publisher

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Opinion Writing edition validity

Which Bar Opinion Writing editions are valid for which exam sittings.

OUP Opinion Writing and Case Preparation Bar Manual
Current
9th ed (2026) - Current edition - published July 2026
Publisher price new: £45.99
OUP Opinion Writing and Case Preparation Bar Manual
Superseded
8th ed (2024) - Previous edition - out of print

Publisher	Product	Edition	Valid for exams	Status	Publisher price
OUP	Opinion Writing and Case Preparation Bar Manual	9th ed (2026)	Current edition - published July 2026	Current	£45.99
OUP	Opinion Writing and Case Preparation Bar Manual	8th ed (2024)	Previous edition - out of print	Superseded	-

What changes between Opinion Writing editions

Skills manuals teach technique rather than the latest law, so a 2024 edition covers much the same method. OUP's City Law School Bar Manuals move to a new edition every two years, each July, and the 2026 editions replaced the 2024 ones (now out of print). The older edition's worked examples cite the law and procedure as they stood in 2024, and your provider may set the current edition - check your course reading list before buying an older copy.

Always double-check the edition against your exam sitting before buying. When in doubt, the Bar Standards Board's official syllabus documents are free and definitive.