What is pupillage? The future barrister’s guide
Learn everything you need to know about pupillage from BPP. We discuss what pupillage is, and how you can apply for pupillage today. Read now!
If you’re an aspiring barrister, then you’ll need to know about pupillage. In this article, we’ll cover the most common questions about pupillage, including:
What is pupillage?
What does pupillage involve?
What is a pupil barrister?
As well as answering these questions, we’ll share our top tips on securing pupillage.
What is pupillage?
Pupillage is the final training stage before becoming a qualified barrister in England and Wales. This vocational training period usually takes a year to complete, but some pupillages last 18 months.
Aspiring barristers who have completed an undergraduate law degree or law conversion course, followed by the Barrister Training Course (BTC), will go on to complete a pupillage.
If you’re not sure what the BTC involves, read our guide on becoming a barrister.
What do you do during pupillage?
During pupillage, trainee barristers will receive on the job training and have a chance to practice the skills and knowledge they developed on the BTC.
Pupillages are generally split into two six-month periods. These are:
First six
Second six
First six
The first six of pupillage is the non-practising period. At this point, pupil barristers shadow their pupillage supervisor, regularly attending court and conferences. Trainee barristers help to prepare documents such as advices, applications, or skeleton arguments, and conduct legal research.
Pupil barristers will also complete an advocacy training course. This helps to further develop advocacy skills, by practising legal argument, making opposing applications in court, witness handling, cross-examination, and case handling.
Second six
Second six is the practising stage of pupillage. Trainee barristers receive a provisional practising certificate allowing them to take on their own cases and appear in court. While practising, they will complete more courses and training.
During second six, pupil barristers are responsible for their own caseload. This means that depending on the area of law you are specialising in, you may spend a lot of time in court. This is a great opportunity and chance to practice the advocacy skills you will have learnt on the BTC.
What is a third six pupillage?
If you are unable to gain a tenancy in the chambers where you complete your pupillage, you \may be able to apply for a probationary tenancy. This is called a third six pupillage.
There is no limit on the amount of third six pupillages you can complete, and they don’t need to be taken at the same chambers that you did your pupillage.
Applying for pupillage
The main way to apply for pupillage is through the Pupillage Gateway.
This system lists all the available pupillages, and allows you to apply to most directly through the site. You can submit up to 20 applications for pupillage through the Gateway.
Not all chambers will allow you to apply through this system, however, and you will need to apply directly to the chambers themselves.
When to apply for pupillage
The Pupillage Gateway opens for applications in January, but vacancies are listed on the system from November, so you can start preparing applications from this date.
The Pupillage Gateway deadline is in February, a month after applications open. Your applications will be considered from February to May, at which point offers will start to be made.
How hard is it to get pupillage?
Applying for pupillage is very competitive. The Bar Council finds that for the 2022/23 application cycle, there were 11.4 applicants per vacancy. This has increased from 10.8 applicants per vacancy for the 2021/22 cycle.
However, there are many ways in which you can boost your chances of securing a pupillage.
How to be successful in a pupillage application
Gain practical experience
Bolstering your application with mini-pupillage experience, mooting competitions, or pro bono work, is a great way to stand out.
You will be enhancing your skillset while gaining real-world experience, as well as networking with practising lawyers.
Research the chambers
Your interviewer will want to know why you’re applying for pupillage at that particular chambers. Make sure you have researched the types of law they practice, who works there, and if possible, the people who will be interviewing you. Read as much as you can about the chambers to build your knowledge.
Prove your enthusiasm
Why do you want a career in law? Interviewers will want to see how passionate you are about a career as a barrister, and you’ll be asked questions about different aspects of the bar to determine your level of understanding.
Use the Careers Service
Careers service and employability teams can also help with your pupillage application. They are experienced in:
Writing applications
Interview techniques
Practising mock interviews
BPP’s Careers Service is available to you for up to 18 months after you graduate. If you are not successful applying for pupillage the first time around, you can continue to get advice and hone your application for the next time.
Pupillage funding and salaries
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has set the minimum salary for pupil barristers at £20,703 for pupillages in London, and £18,884 for pupillages outside of London.
Some pupillages offer much higher awards, however, up to £100,000 at some chambers.
Commercial sets remain the highest paid for pupil barristers, with average awards between £40,000 and £75,000.
The amount you will earn during pupillage depends highly on the region where you are based, the chambers you undertake your training at, and the field of law you go into.
Find out more about how much you can earn as a barrister.
How is pupillage different from a mini-pupillage?
Mini-pupillages are a much shorter version of pupillage, running anywhere from one day to two weeks. While they do not offer any form of qualification, they are a great opportunity to gain valuable experience while learning from practising barristers. Mini-pupillages also help to boost your future pupillage applications by showing your interest and dedication to the bar.
Like full pupillages, mini-pupillages are highly in-demand. You can apply for them directly through the chamber’s website.
Equality and diversity at the bar
Barrister’s chambers are increasingly expressing their commitment to widening access to the bar. Some chambers even offer mini-pupillages aimed to directly promote social mobility.
BPP scholarships are also aiming to address barriers to accessing legal careers, with scholarships such as the Diversity Access Scheme providing up to full-fee funding.
Watch the video below to find out how BTC student Sam Eskdale is promoting diversity in the legal profession.
Alternatives to pupillage
If you are unable to get pupillage, there are still many options for you to pursue a career in law. For example, you could become a court advocate.
Court advocates’ roles are in many ways the same as that of barristers. You are given instructions to attend court and advocate on behalf of a client. Rather than working in a barrister’s chambers, you will work for an organisation such as Free Representation Unit (FRU).
You could also start your career as a barrister’s clerk. In this role, you will assist barristers with the daily running of the chambers, from organising barrister’s diaries to carrying out legal research.
If you choose to move out of the legal profession, there are also many alternative legal careers that would suit your skills.
Final thoughts
Applying for pupillage is very competitive. While we’ve covered some great ways you can make your application stand out, don’t worry if you’re not successful the first time.
Reflect on your application, get as much advice as possible, and keep a positive mindset. You’ll get there!
