The Barrister Group Pupillage

Pupillage/work based learning is one of the stages (or components) of training to become a barrister. The Bar Standard Board (BSB) has full details of the process and the various pathways on their website which you can read here.

The BSB Authorisation Framework sets out the mandatory requirements for pupillage/work-based learning as follows:

2.2 or equivalent degree required, either a law degree, or a non-law degree plus further graduate/post-graduate study and in both cases must cover the seven foundations of legal knowledge.

Successful completion of the vocational component.

Student is a member of an Inn and has been Called.

Student has completed the required number of Qualifying Sessions.

It is possible to obtain a waiver/exemption (see here) from any of these provisions either as a transferring qualified lawyer or on the basis of significant work experience. Many individuals who have obtain such waivers/exemptions are still required to undertake pupillage or a proportion of it. Indeed, many of  The Barrister Group's previous pupils and members have done just so and we welcome applications from such individuals.

Therefore, whilst it is possible to apply for pupillage with us at any stage, you must have satisfied the BSB Authorisation Framework requirements before commencing any period of pupillage with us. If we agree that you could secure an exemption/waiver, we will guide you through the BSB application process ahead of your pupillage commencing.

Every organisation which offers pupillage/work based learning must be registered to do so with the BSB; they are called Authorised Education and Training Organisations (AETOs) and they have to comply with a set of rules from the BSB.

There is presently a mandatory timetable for advertising and recruitment for pupillage/work based learning as well as a requirement for all vacancies for pupillage to be advertised on the Pupillage Gateway in line with this mandatory timetable, the most recent of which can be viewed here.

The Barrister Group's application for pupillage for the next recruitment season will be advertised on the Pupillage Gateway as required in accordance with the mandatory timetable. We have opted out of processing our applications through the Gateway and instead will link from our Pupillage Gateway advertisement to our own website which will be published in line with the mandatory timetable.

We believe that in this way, we can make the process even more fair and transparent – particularly as  The Barrister Group have no minimum educational requirements over and above that required by the BSB Authorisation Framework. We can also make the application process as anonymous as possible; reducing the chances of unconscious bias.

The purpose of pupillage is for pupils to develop and demonstrate the competences in the Professional Statement for Barristers to the threshold standard.  This stage is about using the skills, knowledge and experience you have previously gained in a practical work environment.  As pupils are required to meet the threshold standard as a minimum in order to be able to receive a Full Practising Certificate and be authorised to practice by the BSB, by the end of your pupillage, with  The Barrister Group support you will be required to demonstrate that you have developed all of the competences to this standard.

A summary of the The Barrister Group Pupillage Journey can be seen here.

Of course, we have summarised some of our former pupils’ stories and journeys which you can read here.

Everything you need to know about Pupillage at The Barrister Group can be found in our Pupillage Guide and Handbook.

Yes, where we can, we will give constructive feedback – the only caveat to this is that to ensure a fair, objective and diverse application process, the first stage of our application process is purely anonymous and we will not be able to give feedback for those who are unsuccessful at stage one. However, we will provide some guidance on how candidates can undertake research to improve their performance and will also provide online videos/webinars which will be open to all.

The Barrister Group is already an incredibly diverse chambers and feels strongly about promoting and encouraging equality and diversity at the Bar and encourages applications from any and all members of under-represented groups at the bar. Since its inception in 2001,  The Barrister Group has gained an increasingly positive reputation for being an incredibly inclusive chambers with many finding a home here who have felt unable to do so at more traditional sets.

You can see and hear more about our approach and policies here