What is a pupillage?

What is a pupillage? 

Pupillage is the last step of training before qualifying as a barrister. Pupillage starts after you have completed your barrister training course. 

Pupillage lasts 12 months and is split up into two six-month stints, known as ‘first six’ and ‘second six’. Occasionally, pupils also undertake a ‘third six’ before qualification.  

Pupillage is usually undertaken at barristers’ chambers. 

You will be assigned a pupil supervisor for the duration of your pupillage. At some barristers’ chambers you will have several supervisors and you will rotate around them, gaining exposure to different areas of law.

At the end of the 12 months, you will hopefully be offered tenancy at the chambers and be called to the bar. 

 

Breakdown 

The first six is ‘non-practising’ and will typically see you spend six months shadowing a more senior barrister. You will likely accompany your supervisor to court, assist them with research tasks and have a go at drafting documents and court submissions. 

During your second six, you may start to take on your own cases under supervision. The amount of work you will be allowed to take on will depend on your set.  

At large commercial sets the cases may be too complex and high-profile for you to manage yourself, so you will continue to assist your supervisor. But at smaller and more specialist sets, you could be allocated your own small caseload. 

If you are not offered tenancy after your second six, or you decide to change practice areas or chambers, it is sometimes possible to undertake a third six (at a different set). 

When to apply 

Before you can start your pupillage you will need to have completed an undergraduate degree (law or non-law) followed by a Bar training course. The old Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) has been replaced by a number of new courses, the names of which vary according to the providers. 

Non-law graduates will also have to undertake the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) before embarking on a Bar course. 

Law undergraduates should apply for pupillage in the final year of their studies, whilst non-law undergraduates should apply for pupillage during the GDL.  

The Pupillage Gateway is the main recruitment portal for the Bar. The gateway will be open for prospective pupils to browse vacancies from 28 November 2022. Applications open on 4 January 2023 and close on 8 February 2023.

Competition for pupillage is fierce, so if you do not obtain one at this stage, you can of course continue applying after you’ve finished your legal education.

Pay 

You are in training during your pupillage (hence the job title ‘pupil’), but you will still be paid.  

Your pay will come in the form of a pupillage award, and the amount will vary depending on the type and size of chambers at which you are working. Check a set’s website for details of the exact amount of their pupillage award. 

As of January 2022 the rate for the minimum pupillage award is £19,144 for a 12-month pupillage in London and £17,152 outside London.