Applications for pupillage
All pupillage vacancies are advertised on the pupillage website.  On this website you will find OLPAS (the Online Pupillage Application System) and non-OLPAS pupillages. Note that some chambers recruit two years in advance and others closer to the start date of your pupillage.

Inns of Court
There are four Inns of Court, Grays Inn, Inner Temple, Lincoln’s Inn and Middle Temple. If you want to become a barrister you must join one of the Inns before you commence your BPTC (formerly known as BVC).

Our careers service will:

• Advise you on how you can develop the key skills that you need: advocacy, debating, drafting, opinion writing, negotiation, conference skills, and legal research.
• Alert you to events at the Inns of Court and at chambers and careers fairs.
• Give you support to ensure that you can dedicate enough time to write an application which increases your chances of securing an interview.
• Appraise your CV to tailor it to a career at the Bar.
• Review your applications and give you guidance on how to write a cover letter for your CV.
• Show you examples of successful applications which will illustrate to you the language, grammar and attention to detail that you must achieve before submitting your application.
• Help you prepare for interview.
• Conduct a mock interview to give you the opportunity to think on your feet and answer questions based on your application. You will also get feedback which will help you fine tune your preparation for the big day.

Work experience
If you want to train as a barrister it is vital that you get relevant work experience to show your commitment to and understanding of the Bar. Getting experience with different chambers will enable you to compare and contrast and find out what suits you whilst you develop the skills legal recruiters are looking for. From mini-pupillages to visiting the courts and shadowing a lawyer - there are many ways in which you can gain that all important work experience. Working as a Court Clerk will give you valuable experience and increase your understanding of court proceedings and the role of barristers and solicitors.  You can also obtain relevant experience by participating in pro-bono initiatives such as volunteering with the Free Representation Unit .  You should also consider applying for some work experience in a law firm – this will enable you to compare the two branches of the legal profession so that you can then explain in application forms and at interview why you want to become a barrister.   

Why is relevant work experience so important?
Applying for pupillage is very competitive.  If you want your application to be taken seriously you must be able to show that you have some relevant work experience.  Obtaining work experience is a good way to evidence you dedication and commitment to a career at the Bar.  If you complete a mini-pupillage or obtain other relevant experience it will develop your understanding of the profession and what life as a barrister involves.  You will get a good idea of what it is like to work as a barrister and what will be expected of you in terms of skills, experience and personal attributes.  It will also give you something interesting to talk about at future interviews and may provide some useful networking opportunities.