Mini-Pupillage at No5
Chambers' scheme on mini-pupillages seeks to give students an insight into the working life, benefits and burdens of a practising barrister. Chambers does not encourage applications for work experience weeks but instead prefers to channel its resources into packing as much as possible into the time spent in Chambers by students who have commenced their degree course.
No5 offers three-day mini-pupillages based in Birmingham or London.
During their time at Chambers, the mini-pupil will have the opportunity to attend Court, Tribunal hearings and conferences and may be asked to undertake research so as to assist in the preparation of pleadings and advices. They may attend with one or more members of chambers. It should be noted that at present much court work is by video and there are less opportunities to attend court in person. At the start of the mini-pupillage, Chambers’ clerks will be in touch with the mini pupil to discuss their likely experience.
The mini-pupillage scheme offers a shop window into which students can gaze and compare the different atmospheres, camaraderie and general machinery of Chambers. We are sure that the care and time invested in mini-pupils will leave only a positive and informed impression and we encourage all students interested in a career at the Bar to apply for a chance to sample this experience.
Written applications will be assessed in accordance with the following criteria:-
- Intellectual ability (the general academic requirement is AAB at A-Level (excluding General Studies), or equivalent, together with a 2:1 (actual or predicted) at degree level. Chambers will consider mitigating circumstances);
- Commitment/motivation;
- Public speaking experience (e.g. debating, mooting, etc.); and
- Presentation of written application (organised and persuasive thought and good grammar and spelling), together with a demonstrated ability to answer the questions asked.
In case of difficulties, please contact LisaM@no5.com
Funding
The Mini-Pupillage Grant Scheme, provided by Lincoln’s Inn, offers financial assistance to students who have secured a mini pupillage but need additional funds to complete it. The fund is intended to help with the cost of long distance travel, commuting, accommodation and purchasing appropriate professional clothing. The value of each grant is calculated based on the applicant’s anticipated expenses up to a maximum of £500. Successful applicants can apply here: Funding - Lincoln's Inn (conditions apply).
Other Mini-Pupillages
Chambers’ aims to allocate approximately a quarter of available mini-pupillages for those outside the mainstream application process detailed above. This is with the aim of furthering social mobility and general outreach into the community. The current means by which such mini-pupillages are available are as follows:
- Pegasus Access and Support Scheme
- Bridging the Bar mini-pupillage scheme
- Griffin Access Programme, Birmingham
- Bar Council’s Bar Placement Week
- ELSA (Kings College) LGBTQ+
- Midland Circuit Scholarship Programme
- Camm Moot Cup and Postgraduate Cup Moot winners
- Moot winners from University of Law
- Moot winners from University of Leicester
