The Pupillage Gateway: chambers’ application deadlines are fast approaching

With the Pupillage Gateway closing on Wednesday 4 May and a host of other chambers placing their application deadlines even earlier, on Saturday 30 April, aspiring barristers should aim to have any pupillage applications polished and submitted over the next couple of weeks. It is important to apply before the deadline because chambers are likely to begin reviewing applications as soon as they come in, while the rush of forms that come in on deadline day will contain way too many rushed and half-hearted applications.

It's crucial to make the most of the time available to carefully hone applications, tailoring each one individually to the relevant chambers before submitting. The best chance of success is to submit a handful of highly-polished, targeted applications, as opposed to firing off as many as you can. While you still have time, be sure to read our extensive guide to pupillage applications, written by Simon Myerson QC, who runs the excellent blog, Pupillage and How to Get It.

Some chambers have also been supplying pupillage application tips via Twitter. We highly recommend that you follow 5 Essex Court (@Pupillages) and Henderson Chambers (@HendersonPupils), if you don’t already, and take on board their advice. Simply searching ‘pupillage’ on Twitter will also open up a whole conversation between barristers, chambers’ official accounts and the legal press on the subject.

And after applying comes interview preparation, so don’t forget to take in LC.N’s advice on pupillage interviews, which includes some expert tips on this most crucial stage of the application process. Good luck!