I am a pupil barrister

This is the final stage of your journey to becoming a member of the Bar – the work-based component. Pupillage is split into your ‘first six’ and ‘second six’ (the non-practising and practising period) and it can be completed in chambers or at with an organisation such as the Government Legal Department or Crown Prosecution Service.

On this page:

First and second six
Pupillage funding awards
Advice and guidance
Support

Four people, pupils, climbing external stairs towards an old building, with a library sign out the front

First six

This is your non-practising period. You’ll be shadowing a barrister in chambers and will be assessed against key competencies set by the Bar Standards Board (BSB), the Bar’s regulator which sets the education and training requirements for becoming a barrister.

Second six

This is when you enter your practising period. You’ll apply for a provisional practising certificate and can now take on your own work. You’ll be assessed again and be expected to fulfil a second criterion. Once passed, you’ll apply for a practising certificate and then apply for a tenancy in chambers and become a self-employed barrister or you can apply for a position in an organisation as an in-house barrister. If you did pupillage at the employed Bar, you can then apply for a permanent position.

Pupillage funding awards

In January 2025, the minimum funding award for pupillage will be:

£24,203 for 12-month pupillages in London
£22,019 per annum for pupillages outside London

The minimum funding award for pupillage is currently:

£23,078 for 12-month pupillages in London
£21,060 per annum for pupillages outside London

Advice and guidance
Support

Advice and guidance

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

Counsel: Insight into an employed pupillage

Counsel: What can the Pupil Survey 2024 tell us about pupillage?

Counsel: Advice to my younger pupil self

Counsel: Making the most of your whirlwind first six

Counsel: Pupillage: Making the first 9 months count

Support

The Bar Qualification Manual

Bar Standards Board (BSB)

This contains everything you need to know about the Bar Qualification Rules and training and qualifying as a barrister.

The Bar Qualification Manual

Our Pupil helpline

Bar Council

This helpline is our confidential and objective advice service. Call us on 020 7611 1415 if you have a query. If you are unable to speak to an advisor, email us at [email protected]. You can contact us anonymously.

Pupil helpline

Personal support

Bar Council

Our webpage highlighting different personal support options available to you.

Personal support

Talk to Spot

Bar Council

Our secure online tool to support you confidentially raise concerns about inappropriate and abusive behaviour.

Talk to Spot

Wellbeing at the Bar

Bar Council

Our hub of extensive wellbeing resources, including detail about the Assistance Programme for the Bar, a confidential and compassionate 24/7 service.

Wellbeing at the Bar

Pupil Survey – Our annual survey tells us about pupils’ experiences and helps us identify the areas where support and solutions are needed.