Pupillage
What Is Pupillage?
Pupillage is the final stage of the route to qualification at the Bar, in which the pupil gains practical training under the supervision of an experienced barrister. Pupillage is divided into two parts: the non-practising six months (also known as the first six) and the practising six months (also known as the second six).
Pupillage Advertising Requirements
All pupillage providers must advertise all pupillage vacancies on the designated website www.pupillages.com. For further information regarding pupillage applications, please visit www.pupillages.com.
Pupillage Funding Requirements
All pupils must be paid no less than £12,000pa, which is £1,000 per month plus reasonable travel expenses where applicable.
The Pupillage Funding & Advertising Panel of the Qualifications Committee has the authority to allow exceptions, which must be applied for on the relevant application form and which are decided on a case-by-case basis.
Mini Pupillage
Mini-pupillage is a short period of work experience (usually one or two weeks) in a set of chambers. Some chambers require applicants to undertake an assessed mini-pupillage as part of the recruitment process, and others use it as one of their selection criteria. All applicants to the Bar are advised to undertake at least one mini-pupillage as spending time in this way within chambers will provide an invaluable insight into life at the Bar and may provide some useful advice to assist in finding pupillage. The Pupillage and Awards Handbook provides details of which chambers offer mini-pupillages, as does the chambers entry on the Pupillage Portal website. You should apply direct to chambers enclosing a copy of your CV and specifying the dates you are available. The Inns' Student Officers can also provide advice on obtaining a mini-pupillage.
Where to find Pupillage information
Competition for places is very intense. Therefore, applicants are advised to make sure that they are suited to a career at the Bar by visiting court, talking to people in the legal profession and undertaking work experience in solicitors' offices or barristers' chambers (see also Mini Pupillage paragraph on this page). Applicants should also ensure that they have thoroughly researched the chambers/pupillage training organisations to which they have applied. If you would like further information on pupillage figures please refer to our statistics section.
The Pupillage and Awards Handbook is an indispensable guide containing details of all organisations offering pupillage in the forthcoming year and comprehensive information about pupillage awards. This Handbook accompanies the Pupillage Portal website and allows you to view pupillage vacancies offline. The handbook is available from the annual National Pupillage Fair at the start of each March. If you would like to receive a copy of the Pupillage and Awards Handbook please refer to the Bar Council's website. The Inns of Court will also be able to advise on matters relating to pupillages.
Pupillage Handbook
Following the report that was prepared by the Wood Working Group, the BSB has incorporated all the information relating to pupillage matters in one single document. This is the Pupillage Handbook. This document is designed to be used by pupils, pupil supervisors and all other interested parties. All the information a pupil will require is contained within the Bar Council website for more information.
Contacts:
Andrea Clerk - Pupillage Officer
Claire Hogg - Assistant to Pupillage Officer
