Mini-Pupillage

Doughty Street Chambers organises two mini-pupillage courses each year. The first is held the week before Easter Week. The second is the second full week in September. On each occasion we take 8 - 10 pupils. Please note that at this time we are only able to offer mini pupillages at our London Chambers.

On each day of the course pupils are offered the opportunity to attend court or other hearings, or to work in Chambers. Early evening sessions are also organised on specialist areas of work (with practitioners), legal information, and on building a career at the Bar. We aim to provide a structured educational course which gives individuals an understanding of life in Chambers as well as an insight into the workings of the legal system.

Our mini-pupillage weeks are intended purely for work experience. The criteria used for assessing mini-pupillage applications are different from those applied to pupillage. We do not require potential pupils to have taken part in these courses.

Chambers will not offer travelling expenses or any grant for mini-pupillage courses. Similarly, lunches and other expenses are expected to be met by individuals. It is also expected that pupils will attend the whole week.

Who should apply?

If you are committed to a career at the Bar, you know which areas you hope to practise in, you've been on two or more London-based mini-pupillages and you've got other legal-related experience then you don't really need a mini-pupillage with Doughty Street.

Mini-pupillage is for work-experience only. It is not assessed. It will not help you get pupillage with us. We run these courses to provide an understanding of what the profession is like in order to help you decide whether it's for you and what areas of practice you might be suited to.

At the same time, applicants must demonstrate:

- Academic ability
- Evidence of motivation/ determination
- Interest in the law/ civil liberties/ justice system
- Relevant skills for a possible career at the Bar

The nature of the mini-pupillage course is such that candidates should have sufficient experience or qualifications to be able to take an active part in the week. Mini-pupils will attend court and conferences and take part in discussions with barristers and solicitors. They may be asked to do some work on cases or go to the library and conduct research.

Successful applicants will normally:

- Have completed at least two years of a law degree, or
- Be on, or accepted for, a GDL conversion course, or
- Except in exceptional circumstances be at least 20 years of age
- Be able to demonstrate academic excellence

Doughty Street Chambers also looks for evidence of an interest in an area of chambers work and/or a commitment to the welfare of others.

The Selection Process

It is very important to us that everyone has an equal opportunity to attend our mini pupillage. This is why we anonymise our applications and remove all personal data prior to beginning our selection process.

Our selection process will be based on the following:

- Being at the correct stage academically
- Demonstration of academic excellence
- No or little experience of the Bar
- Certain factors within your statement as to why you want to do a mini pupillage with us (we won't give you details on this - that would defeat the object!)

Once the applications that satisfy the above criteria have been identified, should there be more than there are places available, we will randomly select 10 applications. This is the fairest way for us to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity of attaining a place on the scheme.

How to Apply

Our selection procedure for mini-pupillage is entirely dependent on your application. It is therefore important that you complete this form as fully and accurately as possible.

You can complete the application in one of two ways. You can do this on your computer by clicking here, or you can download a pdf of the application form to complete manually by clicking here.

You must also complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (available by clicking here) and return this with your application.

Please submit your completed application form and monitoring form either by saving/scanning it and e mailing it to c.jagne@doughtystreet.co.uk or send it by post to Mini Pupillage, Doughty Street Chambers, 53-54 Doughty Street, London WC1N 2LS.

The application forms are designed so that, once completed and printed, they are anonymised. Your personal details are removed, as is the brief equal opportunities questionnaire. This is so that we can demonstrate our clear approach to equal opportunities at the Bar.

We do ask your permission on the form to use the anonymised version of your application for training exercises for work experience students. This is not compulsory. It is invaluable for students to be able to understand the process, but should you choose not to allow your application to be used in this way it will not affect your application in any way.

If you have a disability or health problem it will not affect your application although it should be noted that our main building is only wheelchair accessible with portable ramps. If you would like to discuss this in confidence please contact our Head of Facilities.

Should you wish to discuss any aspect of your application please do not hesitate to contact our Head of Facilities on s.earl@doughtystreet.co.uk or 0207 404 1313.

Our next mini-pupillage course will be held week commencing 26th March 2012. Please ensure your application is submitted by 5pm on 10th February 2012. Late applications will not be considered, and only applications made on the forms provided and that are complete as above will be considered.