Mini-Pupillage

Expenses: Chambers covers the reasonable expenses of all mini-pupils up to £250. Reasonable expenses include (and will generally be limited to) standard class travel, subsistence and where appropriate, the cost of accommodation. Mini-pupils may be asked to provide proof of any expenses claimed (e.g. ticket, invoice or receipt).

Grants: Mini-pupillage grants


In addition, Chambers is keen to ensure that mini-pupillages are accessible to as many suitable candidates as possible and that candidates are not prevented from undertaking a mini-pupillage due to a lack of finance. Chambers offers grants on a case-by-case discretionary basis. An example of a situation in which a grant might be made is if a candidate were unable to arrange alternative childcare without financial support or cannot afford to forego paid employment.

In deciding whether to make an award, the following factors are likely to be relevant:

1. The applicant’s financial need which the grant will address.
2. The availability of other sources of funding.
3. The applicant’s ability to undertake a mini-pupillage if a grant is not made.
4. The applicant’s history of work experience paid or unpaid, in the legal sector (including other mini-pupillages).
5. Whether the award of a grant may further Chambers’ objective to promote diversity and equality and to widen access to the legal sector.

If you wish to apply for a grant, please provide a short covering letter when you apply for a mini-pupillage, stating that you are seeking a grant and explaining the basis of your application. Please limit your supporting explanation to 350 words. Please do not provide any other supporting documentation at that stage but you may be asked to do so in due course.

There can be no guarantee of funding and there is no appeal against a refusal to provide a grant. An application for funding will not impact on the separate question of whether a mini-pupillage is offered. Information provided for the purposes of a grant application will be treated with the strictest confidence.