Securing pupillage as a barrister
Pupillage is the final stage of training to become a barrister, carried out after successful completion of the BVC, usually comprising one year of hands-on training in chambers.
Because the Bar is a small profession, success rates for BVC graduates applying for pupillage are less rosy than for would-be solicitors.
Competition for the Bar is fierce. Statistical information from the Bar Standards Board about students applying for the BVC and seeking pupillage shows:
- 1,932 were enrolled on the full-time BVC in 2006-07 and 300 on the part-time BVC
- 2,414 candidates applied for pupillage through the OLPAS application process in the summer 2005 season
- 556 students commenced the 1st six stage of pupillage between 1 October 2004 and 30 September 2005.*
*The pass rates and percentages of BVC students securing pupillage vary from year to year. For up-to-date information, visit the Bar Council website.
The result is a shortfall in the number of pupillages available compared to the potential number of students seeking pupillage.
Start applying
In order to give yourself the best chance of success you need to start planning for pupillage as soon as possible. Applications should be your focus from your second year at university if you are a law student and from your final year if you are a non-law student.
If you are not successful at this stage, however, you can still apply for pupillages after the BVC.
Do you have what it takes?
The entry requirements for pupillage vary between chambers, but as a general rule they include:
- high academic achievement
- a commitment to the Bar and its workings, including relevant work experience (such as mini-pupillages), interest in or knowledge of the chambers’ relevant practice areas and public speaking experience (debating and mooting).
You must also be able to demonstrate you have the interpersonal skills to become a successful barrister:
- the ability to develop a rapport with a wide range of people
- excellent written and oral communication skills
- common sense and confidence
- the capacity to absorb and process large amounts of information.
What’s the recruitment process?
There are two ways of applying for pupillage vacancies – through OLPAS and outside of OLPAS. OLPAS (Online Pupillage Application System) is a standardised online application form and timetable for pupillage vacancies.
OLPAS vacancies are divided into two seasons during which you can apply to chambers. The summer season starts in March, and the autumn season begins around September. You can apply to up to 24 pupillage providers each year (12 each season) using a single application form. The majority of chambers that recruit through OLPAS do so in the summer season, so you’ll need to choose your 12 options carefully.
Recruitment for non-OLPAS vacancies take place directly through a chambers’ own procedures, without using the online system. These vacancies are advertised at any time and you can apply for as many as you like – but you need to fill in separate forms for each application.
All vacancies (OLPAS and non-OLPAS) are advertised on www.pupillages.com.
