Mini-pupillage

Mini-pupillage

Why apply?

If you are thinking about becoming a barrister, it makes sense to get as much exposure as you can to the areas of law that interest you. Our unassessed mini-pupillages offer the opportunity to shadow a member of chambers for two days and gain a real insight into life as a commercial and/or chancery barrister.

What we look for

We think candidates with some legal knowledge get more out of our mini-pupillages, so applicants who are currently studying law at university, undertaking the GDL or have completed their legal studies are preferred. We are unable to offer mini-pupillages to applicants who are still at school, but we do work with school-age students on other initiatives, for example our Student Barrister Experience Programme.

We assess applications according to the following criteria:

  • Academic ability
  • Responsibility
  • Communication skills
  • Interest in becoming a commercial and/or chancery barrister
  • Commitment to gaining advocacy experience through public speaking.

Application Deadlines

Application windows:
  • 1 July 2023 – 31 October 2023
  • 1 November 2023 – 28 February 2024
  • 1 March 2024 – 30 June 2024
  • 1 July 2024 – 31 October 2024
 
Mini Pupillage windows:
  • 1 December 2023 – 28 February 2024
  • 1 April 2024 – 31 July 2024
  • 1 September 2024 – 30 November 2024
  • 1 December 2024 – 28 February 2025
 

As with pupillage, we encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds. You can read about our commitment to diversity and inclusion here.

Unfortunately, we are generally unable to offer work experience outside of our official mini-pupillage scheme, our Student Barrister Experience Programme or the variety of diversity initiatives we participate in run by the Bar Council and other organisations.

Our Student Barrister Experience Programme is organised in collaboration with social mobility charity BVL. For more information, visit BVL’s website, here.

How to apply 

Applications should be made by application form and sent by email to minipupillage@radcliffechambers.com.

For further details about our mini-pupillage process, including deadlines for applications, please read our mini-pupillage policy.

Financial assistance

Financial assistance is available, on a discretionary basis, for those who would otherwise be unable to travel to and stay in London. Please see our mini-pupillage policy for full details.

In addition, Lincoln’s Inn runs a Mini-Pupillage Grant Scheme, which offers financial assistance to students who have secured a mini pupillage but need additional funds to complete it. Applications are open all year round. Further details are available here.