Applications
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Pupillage applications research checklist
You'll need to do a thorough job of researching barristers' chambers before applying for a training place to launch your graduate career at the Bar.
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Top ten tips to get your law CV noticed by chambers
Many chambers use the Pupillage Gateway system for applications, but you’ll still need a law CV when applying for mini-pupillages and work experience. We’ve picked the top CV tips from our ‘five minutes with’ interviewees to give you a hand with a Bar-focused CV.
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Successful CVs and covering letters for pupillage applications
Some chambers ask job-hunters seeking graduate careers as barristers to submit applications for pupillage in the form of a CV and covering letter.
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Videos and advice from the TARGETjobs Law National Pupillage Fair
Each year the TARGETjobs Law National Pupillage Fair brings together aspiring barristers and chambers’ representatives for a day dedicated to pupillage applications.
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How to ace your pupillage interview: tips from qualified barristers
The following barristers are responsible for interviewing aspiring pupils. Read their tips to prepare for pupillage interviews this spring.
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How NOT to make a hard Brexit of your pupillage interview
Find out what Brexit means to each area of legal practice (hint: it means more than just Brexit) from practising barristers in each field.
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How to make online pupillage applications
Many chambers use the Pupillage Gateway online pupillage application system (formerly known as Pupillage Portal and OLPAS) to recruit their pupil barristers.
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Pupillage application deadlines
Make sure you know when to apply for pupillage. We've put together a list of deadlines for pupillage applications at top barristers' chambers in 2018 for pupillage starting in 2019.
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Improve your chances of pupillage with advice from practising barristers
The barristers at the TARGETjobs Law National Pupillage Fair talks programme 2014 all made one thing clear. You don’t need to be an Oxbridge graduate born with a copy of The Spectator in your hand and a family link to high society, but you do need skills. Take their advice.
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TARGETjobs Law National Pupillage Fair November 2017 talks programme videos
Each year TARGETjobs Law hosts an educative talks programme by barristers and bar-related organisations as part of the National Pupillage Fair. See videos of the talks below.
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TARGETjobs National Pupillage Fair videos 2018
If you couldn't attend one of the talks at the TARGETjobs National Pupillage Fair 2018, take a look at the videos of the recorded sessions from the day below. These sessions provide help and advice for making pupillage applications, choosing an area of law, and plenty more for graduates and aspiring barristers.
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Your application timeline: key dates for getting hired as a pupil barrister
Our term-by-term guide explains the steps you need to take in order to meet application deadlines for the conversion course, Bar professional training course and pupillage.
Mini-pupillage decisions and tips
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Mini-pupillages: the best way to boost your work experience at the Bar
A good portfolio of work experience at barristers' chambers, known as mini-pupillage, is an essential introduction to the legal profession and will form a key part of your pupillage applications.
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Barristers answer your questions on the mini-pupillage application process
We asked barristers Paul Skinner, from Henderson Chambers, and Andrew George, from Blackstone Chambers, about what they look for in mini-pupillage applications and interviews. They sit on mini-pupillage committees and are in the know.
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Start work as a barrister through assessed mini-pupillage
Find out how recruiters at barristers' sets use assessed work experience, or mini-pupillages, as part of the pupil selection process.
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Five top tips for making the most of your mini-pupillage
Barristers give advice on how to behave during your time in chambers and get the most from your legal work experience.
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An overview of a mini-pupillage
Find out what the average day on mini-pupillage involves from Sarah Clarke’s account of her time at 3PB.
Pay and progression
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How much will you earn as a pupil barrister?
Graduates training to become qualified barristers receive pupillage awards from their set of chambers. Which sets offer the highest pupillage awards for 2019? We've surveyed leading chambers – see our results.
Training and qualification
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The qualification all barristers need: the Bar professional training course (BPTC)
Find out about the Bar professional training course (BPTC), the vocational qualification for all graduates who want to become barristers.
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The Bar course aptitude test (BCAT): what it is and how to prepare
The Bar course aptitude test is designed to ensure that only those with the potential to pass the BPTC undertake the course. But passing the test doesn’t guarantee you’d make a good barrister – as the head of the BPTC at the University of Law explains.
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Which Bar professional training course? Graduates explain their choice
How do you choose the right provider for your Bar professional training course? Former students set out their criteria.
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Law conversion courses
Non-law graduates who want jobs as solicitors or barristers need to take a conversion course such as the graduate diploma in law or common professional examination before moving on to the next stage of legal training.
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How to become a barrister without a law degree
Pupillage panels aren't worried about whether or not you have a law degree. They're much more interested in the intellectual ability, eloquence and other transferable skills that will make you a perfect pupil.
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From graduate to barrister: how to get in
Everything you need to know about qualifying as a barrister, finding pupillage vacancies and working life at the Bar. Whether you want to know about pupillage awards, Pupillage Gateway applications or how to become a barrister if you are not a law graduate, you can find answers to key questions here.
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Considering postgraduate legal study before applying to the Bar
Thinking about a masters, LLM or PhD in law? Whether you're tempted by a life of academia or you're keen to know how a further qualification can help your job-hunt, weigh up your options carefully before taking the plunge.
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Financing your LLM or MA in law
Funding options for postgraduate legal study include grants, awards and bank loans. This handy overview explains where to go for more information.
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Over £5 million of funding up for grabs: how to win yourself a scholarship with an Inn of Court
Can't choose which of the four Inns of Court to join? This information on the scholarships and bursaries they offer to would-be barristers will help make up your mind.
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The Inns of Court: essential help for your Bar career
The Inns of Court can provide all sorts of support to their members, including funding for students and graduates applying for the conversion course, Bar professional training course and pupillage.
Choosing a pupillage
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Can barristers have great careers outside London?
Don't think you have to live in London to have a successful graduate career as a barrister. There are pupillage and tenancy vacancies offering high quality work all over the country.
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Do you have to be self-employed to work as a barrister?
Most barristers are self-employed and based in sets, but not all. Around 18% of practising barristers work at the employed bar, working for the Government Legal Service, the Crown Prosecution Service, in-house in the legal departments of big corporates or other organisations.
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Which area of practice is best for me? (barristers)
When you apply for pupillage, you should know what your options are and which areas of practice you are best suited to.
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‘It helps to be gobby and like swearing’ and other tips for nailing a career at the Bar
TARGETjobs Law put barristers in front of the camera at the TARGETjobs National Pupillage Fair to get their advice on the key skills for success in different areas of legal practice. Watch and learn…
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Choosing the right chambers for your Bar career
The type of chambers at which you complete your pupillage can affect your whole career as a barrister. Work out what direction you want to take long term to help you decide where to apply.
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Have you got what it takes to succeed as a barrister?
Could you stand up and perform in court? Find out more about the personal qualities you need in this intensely competitive legal career.
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Use pro bono and other legal work experience to get a pupillage
Barristers' chambers expect to see work experience that relates to the Bar in pupillage applications. Argue your case for a career at the Bar by having other legal work experience too.
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How pupillage works
Find out what to expect during pupillage, the year of on-the-job training for graduates who want careers as barristers, and how to apply.
Five minutes with...
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Five minutes with... Rachel Young, barrister and pupillage panel member at Ropewalk Chambers
Rachel Young, barrister and pupillage panel member at Ropewalk Chambers, gives her insider advice on how to tackle pupillage interviews and the experience you'll need to impress on an application.
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Five minutes with... Stephanie Hall, junior tenant at Francis Taylor Building
Stephanie Hall has recently been through the pupillage process at Francis Taylor Building. She sat down with TARGETjobs Law to share her thoughts on how to show an interest in the set you're applying to and how you can make the most of mini-pupillages and the pupillage fair.
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Five minutes with... Eloise Le Santo, junior barrister at Matrix Chambers
Eloise Le Santo has recently been through the pupillage application system herself. Now a tenant at Matrix Chambers, she offers her tips on how to secure pupillage.
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Five minutes with... Georgina Wolfe, barrister at 5 Essex Court
Georgina Wolfe, barrister and pupillage committee member at 5 Essex Court, provides her insider advice on pupillage applications, interviews and how to impress at the TARGETjobs National Pupillage Fair.
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Five minutes with... Erin Hitchens, barrister at XXIV Old Buildings
Erin Hitchens, a barrister specialising in commercial chancery law, shares her thoughts on how to impress pupillage committees in applications and interviews.
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Five minutes with… Shaen Catherwood, barrister and head of pupillage at Devereux
Shaen Catherwood, barrister and head of pupillage at Devereux, provides his insights into how to stand out during the pupillage application and interview process.
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Five minutes with… Amy Rogers, barrister and pupillage panel member at 11KBW
Amy Rogers talks about the extracurricular experience she likes to see in an application and how aspiring barristers can shine in the case study exercise at pupillage interviews.
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Five minutes with... Rosemary Budden, barrister and pupillage committee member at Queen Elizabeth Building (QEB)
Don’t be apologetic for your non-legal work experience, advises Rosemary Budden. Most extracurricular activities will provide you with impressive skills relevant to a career at the Bar.
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Five minutes with… Lucy Garrett, barrister and pupillage committee member at Keating Chambers
Lucy Garrett, a pupillage committee member and barrister in commercial construction law, shares her insights on preparing the best pupillage application form, how to tackle interviews at the commercial bar and what you should do with your time at the pupillage fair.
Job descriptions
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Crown Prosecution Service lawyer: job description
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) lawyers are qualified solicitors and barristers responsible for reviewing and advising about all prosecution cases initiated by the police and for prosecuting cases in magistrates' courts and Crown Courts throughout England and Wales.
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Government lawyer: job description
Government lawyers are qualified solicitors and barristers who act on the behalf of and give legal advice to government ministers and administrative staff.
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Barrister: job description
Barristers offer advice about legal cases to clients and advocate on their behalf in court.
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Barrister’s clerk: job description
Barrister’s clerks undertake the day-to-day business administration and running of a barrister’s chambers.
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Advocate (Scotland): job description
Advocates in Scotland are comparable to barristers in England and Wales; they work as independent lawyers offering advice about legal cases to clients and conducting defence and prosecution work within courts.
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Court reporter/verbatim reporter: job description
Court/verbatim reporters produce word-for-word recordings of court proceedings using traditional shorthand techniques or shorthand (stenotype) machines.