FAQs

Please read these carefully before contacting the Bar Standards Board.

The pupillage FAQs are divided into 7 sections. Click on one of the headings to go to that section:

COMMENCING PUPILLAGE

When can I start pupillage?

You can start pupillage as soon as you have successfully completed the Bar Vocational Course. If you have taken resits you must wait until you have passed them before commencing pupillage.
If you are exempted under Part VII of the Bar Training Regulations, you can commence pupillage after passing the Bar Transfer Test, or after being exempted from that test.

Is there a time limit for starting pupillage?

Yes. If you commenced the vocational stage of training on or after 1 September 1998, you must start pupillage within five years of passing the BVC (or the Bar Transfer Test, as the case may be). The time-limit for starting pupillage can be extended by the Bar Standards Board in individual cases if there are sufficient grounds.

Can I start pupillage before being called?

Yes. Provided you have passed the BVC you may undertake the first six months of pupillage, in whole or in part, before being called. However the whole of the second six months (including any periods of external training) must be served after Call.

What else do I need to do before starting pupillage?

You must register your pupillage with the Bar Standards Board on the appropriate registration form before you commence pupillage. Any periods of time spent in chambers before registration will not count towards your pupillage. Registration forms should be returned to the Training Compliance Assistant in the Quality and Standards Section of the BSB.

TIME REQUIREMENTS

How long am I required to spend in pupillage?

Twelve calendar months (unless your pupillage has been reduced by the Qualifications Committee). If you commence pupillage on 1 October 2009 you would complete your first six on 31 March 2010, commence your second six on 1 April 2010 and complete the twelve months on 30 September 2011.

What is the difference between the first and second six months?

The first six months are non-practising, that is, you may not accept professional instructions during that period (except for noting briefs: see below). During the second six months, you may accept instructions on your own account provided that you have the permission of your pupil supervisor or head of chambers.

Is pupillage full-time?

Yes. The Code of Conduct requires you to apply yourself full-time to pupillage, which requires a minimum of 35 hours per week. However, the Qualifications Committee has discretion to waive the full-time requirement in exceptional circumstances (e.g. in relation to a legal academic who has been granted a reduced pupillage). Contact the Training Regulations Officer for further information about making an application.

Can I take on part-time work during pupillage?

You may take part time work with the permission of your pupil supervisor, provided that, in his or her opinion, it will not materially interfere with your training.

Can I take holiday during pupillage?

The BSB guidelines state that all pupils should be permitted to take four weeks holidays during their pupillage.   Policies may vary as to whether this includes bank holidays, the period between Christmas and New Year etc. If you are taking any longer period of leave, you will need to obtain permission from the Qualifications Committee and an extension of the overall period so as to compensate for the breaks.

Can pupillage be divided into two or more shorter periods?

The first six months of pupillage must be served in a continuous period, save with the permission of the Qualifications Committee. The second six months must be commenced within 12 months of completing the first six months and can be served in a continuous period or with breaks no more than one months in length, provided that the whole of the second six is completed within an overall period of nine months. Applications for permission to split pupillage must be made to the Qualifications Committee.

Where can I undertake pupillage?

The first six months may be undertaken in England and Wales in a chambers or other organisation authorised by the Bar Standards Board to take pupils. The second six months may be undertaken in any member state of the EU, provided that it is undertaken with a registered pupil supervisor in an organisation approved by the Bar Standards Board to take pupils.

Can I do pupillage in a jurisdiction outside the European Union?

The Qualifications Committee has the discretion to recognise such other form(s) of training as satisfying all or part of the practising period of pupillage as it considers appropriate having regard to the particular circumstances of the person concerned. This may include pupillage in another jurisdiction. You will need to make an application for permission to undertake external training on the appropriate form.

EXTERNAL TRAINING

Do I need approval to undertake external training?

You need the prior approval of the Qualifications Committee for any period of external training. You can download an application form from the Bar Council website or contact the Training Regulations Officer.

Does external training count towards pupillage?

External training may only count towards the practising six months and must be undertaken after Call.

ACCEPTING INSTRUCTIONS

When can I start to accept instructions?

During the second six months, provided that you have the permission of your pupil supervisor or the head of chambers, and that you have been issued with a practising certificate by the Bar Standards Board.

Can I do a noting brief in the first six months?

Yes, provided that you have the permission of your pupil supervisor or head of chambers.

Can I be paid for doing a noting brief?

Yes.

When do I need to take out my own insurance?

You are covered by your pupil supervisor's insurance until you receive a full Practising Certificate. Third six pupils may continue to be covered by their pupil supervisor's insurance provided that the pupil supervisor does not have another pupil (or if he/she does, has obtained permission from the Qualifications Committee to take more than one pupil at a time). A barrister who is squatting in chambers must take out their own insurance with the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund as they are offering services as an independent practitioner. Employed barristers should be covered by their employers insurance.

CERTIFICATION OF PUPILLAGE

What do I need to do at the end of the first six months?

At the end of the first six months you must get your pupil supervisor to sign a certificate (available in the Pupillage File or from the website)confirming satisfactory completion of the first six months and send it to the Standards and Quality section.  You will then receive a Practising Certificate.

What do I do at the end of the second six months?

At the end of the second six months you must get your pupil supervisor to sign a certificate (available in the Pupillage File or from the Education and Training Department) confirming satisfactory completion of the second six months and send it to the Quality and Standards Section. You will then receive a Full Qualification Certificate and a Practising Certificate.

REDUCTION IN PUPILLAGE

I have spent a number of years working in a legal environment, can I obtain a reduction in the length of pupillage?

If there are sufficient grounds, you may apply for a reduction in the length of pupillage. The grounds for such an application must be the completion of some substantial training and/or experience that can be realistically equated to service of pupillage.

How do I apply for a reduction in the length of pupillage?

The application must be made on a prescribed application form. The form can be downloaded from the Qualifications Committee website or obtained from the Training Regulations Officer.

Will a reduction of pupillage count against the first or second six months?

Normally any reduction of pupillage will only count against the second six months.

MISCELLANEOUS
 
Can I obtain a pupillage from a friend in chambers as a "favour"?

All pupillages must be advertised, and pupils must be recruited via an official recruitment process. Each set of Chambers has its own process described in their Pupillage Policy Document. Chambers which offer unadvertised pupillages as a "favour" are in breach of the Equality Code. The Bar Standards Board may not register such a pupillage.

Do pupils have to pay Council Tax?

Pupils are not automatically exempted under the Council Tax Regulations as pupillage does not constitute an exempted apprenticeship. However, some pupils may be entitled to a reduction on the grounds of low income. For further information contact the Council Tax Office at your local authority.

If you have been unable to find the answer to your question please email:

Andrea Clerk - Pupillage Officer

Claire Pace - Administration Assistant (Education Standards)