What is pupillage?
Pupillage is the final practical stage of training to be a barrister, either completed in a set of chambers or with an organisation such as the Government Legal Department or the Crown Prosecution Service. You can think of a pupillage as like a paid apprenticeship.
You can start pupillage up to 5 years after completing the Bar training course and it usually starts in September or October. You must be confident that you will have passed the Bar training course before the advertised start date of any pupillage that you apply for.
How do I apply for pupillage?
Our Pupillage Gateway is the online application system for pupillage. Here you can set up an account to search for vacancies and prepare your applications in advance of the recruitment process starting. Find out more about pupillage and how to apply on our Pupillage Gateway information for applicants page.
What is mini-pupillage and how do I get it?
Mini-pupillages are short periods of work experience in a chambers or with an employer where you will shadow a barrister typically for three to four days. Few candidates secure a pupillage offer without ever having undertaken a mini-pupillage. In 2024, 12.7% of candidates who had done at least one mini-pupillage received an offer compared with 1.7% of those candidates who did not, according to our Pupillage Gateway report.
To view a list of mini-pupillages, have a look at Chambers Student
Pupillage resources and guidance
Pupillage resources for students and pupils
Explore resources and blogs to support you with pupillage and your application
Pupillage Gateway Report 2024
This report uses data from the Pupillage Gateway that is useful to aspiring barristers and those engaged with barrister training
Making the most of your Pupillage Gateway application: Q&A
Maximise your chances of success with your pupillage application.
Pupillage fair
Where aspiring barristers can meet pupillage providers and experts from across the Bar
Young Barristers' Committee
Promoting the interests of the Young Bar
Pupil Survey 2024
This year’s survey incorporated pupils’ experience in 2023, exploring any changes in the last two years to the experiences of this key group of the profession
The following programmes are subject to different eligibility requirements. Please ensure you review these in more detail.
10,000 Black Interns
The Bar Council and 10000 Interns Foundation
This initiative provides six-week paid internship opportunities for young Black people at the Bar of England and Wales. You’ll be given the chance to work in several different chambers and organisations and will also be able to develop your skills and build your professional network.
Pro bono volunteering
Advocate
You can volunteer with the Bar’s pro bono charity, Advocate. The casework programmes run throughout the year will allow you to get hands-on experience supporting people seeking help with their legal problems.
Bar Placement Scheme
The Bar Council, Inns of Court and chambers
You can spend up to four days shadowing a barrister in chambers or their organisation and in court and receive advocacy training from the Inns of Court College of Advocacy (a Bar training provider). This opportunity will help you build your skills and CV and establish whether you want to join the Bar.
Volunteer to represent
Free Representation Unit
You can volunteer for the Free Representation Unit (FRU) which provides free representation in social security and employment tribunals for those who are not eligible for legal aid and cannot afford lawyers. You’ll be trained and supervised by a team of paid legal officers.
Griffin Access Programme
Gray's Inn
Gray’s Inn’s Griffin Access Programme includes a summer school as well as knowledge and skills workshops.
Aspiring Professionals Programme
Social Mobility Foundation
The Social Mobility Foundation’s free Aspiring Professionals Programme will support you from Year 12 onwards by offering mentoring, skills sessions and career workshops, support with university applications and internships with employers.
Pathways to Law Programme
Sutton Trust
This Sutton Trust programme will help you secure work experience opportunities, skills workshops, information sessions, mentoring, networking and summer residential opportunities.
Bar Mock Trials
Young Citizens
If you’re 15 to 18 years old, you can take part in the annual Bar Mock Trial Competition where you will gain an understanding of how the justice system works, be encouraged to think critically, build arguments and oracy skills.