What support is available for those interested in becoming an AETO and delivering pupillage?
Our website contains important and helpful information, including the Bar Qualification Manual, the Authorisation Framework and the Professional Statement. We also encourage informal discussions with prospective pupillage providers. If this is something you are interested in, please contact us.
Why should we consider offering pupillage?
If you are thinking about offering pupillages but are not sure, read Pupillage at the bar: a growing phenomenon for some helpful insights.
Do we need to be regulated by the Bar Standards Board or another Approved Regulator in the legal sector to apply?
No. We do not place any restrictions on who may apply to become an AETO. If you are unsure about whether you will be able to meet our requirements, please contact us.
I am not sure if we are authorised to take pupils / we were authorised a while ago but are not sure if we need to reapply. How can I find out?
Please contact us to have an informal discussion about your current status.
How can I get a MyBar account for authorisation?
If you do not have access, you can arrange for an account to be set up by contacting the Authorisations Team.
How should I respond to the application questions?
Ensure that your answers demonstrate how you intend to meet the criteria and what documentation/toolkit you will use to support this. See the guidance in the MyBar portal for further information.
You are asking for a lot of policy documents. Does this mean we need to draft new documents before applying?
Not necessarily. You are likely to be able to adapt existing policies and process documents that you have within the organisation for other purposes, e.g., to train solicitors or manage/support employees.
We may ask for the following documents: your training contract, advertising and recruitment policy, induction and training programme, supervision and appraisal documents.
How long does it take to become an AETO?
It can take up to three months for us to issue a decision letter and AETO Agreement once authorisation has been granted. You should not advertise pupillage/work-based learning vacancies until your authorisation has been confirmed.
We are a corporate legal entity with branches nationwide – do we need to apply for authorisation for each location individually?
If you are planning on training pupils across multiple locations, you may submit one application form but need to provide details of all locations to be authorised as pupillage providers.
