Barristers | Pupillages | Mini-pupillages

Key advice for aspiring barristers

Everything you need to know

Bar courses: a student’s guide to barrister training 2022-23

The Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) was replaced by a range of new Bar courses in September 2020. To become a barrister, students must pass a Bar course approved by the Bar Standards Board. All approved Bar courses lead to the same destination – being ‘called to the Bar’, which enables you to apply for a pupillage. Here is LawCareers.Net’s guide to Bar courses.

LCN Says

Olivia Partridge - Your guide to MyLCN: how to make the most of this free tool!

Olivia Partridge

Want to receive weekly insights from successful lawyers straight to your inbox? Advice on acing that all-important interview? Oracles answering your questions about your journey into the profession?

Becoming a barrister

Pupillage deadlines

The pupillage deadline page is designed to provide a list of which chambers have which deadlines.

Mini-pupillage

Essential work experience in chambers

Bar Training Courses (BTC/BPTC)

The one-year, postgraduate vocational course

Barrister career path

The whole process from studying, to pupillage, to qualifying

Robert Ward

Quadrant Chambers

Commercial dispute resolution

"The biggest challenge is that there is no off switch because often, the decision as to how much you work is purely up to you and you want to do a good job."

Rajkiran Barhey

One Crown Office Row

Common

“I wouldn’t say that I knew much about clinical negligence before I became a barrister – the learning really starts once you are called to the Bar."

Katie Lee

Gatehouse Chambers

Construction & engineering

"In construction, the nature of your practice depends on your level of seniority, as well as the chambers you are at."

News

Queen’s Counsel become King’s Counsel following Queen’s passing

Following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 8 September 2022, all Queen’s Counsel have become King’s Counsel.

News

London law centre to offer more support to vulnerable clients via crime contract

Harrow Law Centre, set up in 2010, has taken an unusual step and bid for a criminal legal aid contract and, as such, will now be able to offer greater support to its vulnerable clients.

News

Criminal barristers in England and Wales vote to strike indefinitely

Barristers have voted to go on an indefinite, uninterrupted strike in England and Wales starting from 5 September 2022.

News

Magistrates’ court workers to strike over digital systems

Members of the Public and Commercial Services are urging the government to rethink its plans to digitalise the courts through the launch of its Common Platform.

Videos

See more videos

VLOG WHY ARE INNS SO IMPORTANT | Dani the Barrister

VLOG How I processed pupillage rejections | BLESSING AT THE BAR

VLOG Three years into my journey to the Bar | BLESSING AT THE BAR

MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES Including MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES in law applications

VLOG Tips: Planning and Time Management | Dani the Barrister

Podcast

Episode 31: a beginner's guide to mooting

In this episode we speak to Nikesh Tiwari and Sarah Nadia from the University of Bristol Law Club (UBLC) all about mooting. Mooting is a really valuable activity to get involved in – it can boost your confidence and help you along with your future career.

LCN Says

Sherelle Appleby - Journey to the Bar: tips for aspiring barristers

Sherelle Appleby

I am currently an unqualified barrister, meaning I have been called to the Bar but have not yet completed pupillage.

Feature

A guide to pupillage interviews

The pupillage application process continues as hundreds of aspiring barristers prepare for interviews this month – online and in person. Read this key advice on how to prepare for the final stage of pupillage selection.

Blog post

Savannah Taylor

Criminal barristers across England and Wales are striking over a dispute with the UK government concerning legal aid and working conditions. Legal aid is the fees that barristers get for representing defendants who cannot afford to cover the legal costs themselves, so is crucial for adequate defendant representation.