This report reveals the pupillage selection criteria chambers used in 2018
updated on 25 January 2019
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has released its findings into how pupillages were advertised and the selection criteria used by barristers’ chambers in 2018.
The purpose of the research was to identify any areas of the advertising and recruitment process for pupillages that might create barriers to the barristers’ profession for underrepresented groups. The BSB’s findings were mixed – they included the following key points.
- Almost half of pupillages advertised mentioned support for equality and diversity in some way. This included specifically encouraging applicants from a range of backgrounds and mentioning specific equality and diversity policies (including in recruitment).
- Around 39% of pupillages specified minimum entry requirements of a 2:1 or first-class degree (except where there are mitigating circumstances). This varied significantly by practice area, with 67% of commercial chambers stating this requirement compared to just 22% of criminal sets.
- But beyond academic qualifications, most chambers did not provide detailed information about the selection criteria they use to filter applications. Intellectual ability and academic history were found to be the most important selection criteria at the application form stage, while advocacy and communication skills were the most important selection criteria at the interview stage.
- Indirect discrimination can occur where chambers specify that applicants must have completed an unpaid mini-pupillage, as well as when candidates outside London incur travel costs to attend interviews in the capital. Some 7% of pupillage vacancies in 2018 required applicants to have done a mini-pupillage, while another 5% of vacancies strongly encouraged candidates to have completed one.
You can read the full review on the BSB website.
