Mini-pupillage
What is a Mini-Pupillage?
A mini-pupillage is an opportunity for those who are considering a career at the English Bar and have the potential to be pupils at Fountain Court to spend some time in Chambers in order to meet some of our members and get an introduction to the type of work we do and life in Chambers. A mini-pupillage at Fountain Court usually lasts for 2 days, during which a mini-pupil sits with one or two members of Chambers.
How important is it to do a Mini-Pupillage?
A mini-pupillage provides a good opportunity to meet members of Chambers, get a sense of the work we do and ask us any questions you have about the application process, pupillage and tenancy in Chambers. We therefore encourage anyone who intends to or is interested in applying to Fountain Court for pupillage to apply for a mini-pupillage. However, a mini-pupillage is not a pre-requisite for pupillage. The number of mini-pupillages we offer per year is strictly limited and we are only able to accommodate a small number of those who apply. We emphasise that we take many pupils as award or unfunded pupils who have not been mini-pupils at Fountain Court. Applications from those who have done a mini-pupillage are treated no more or less favourably than applications from those who have not.
Are mini-pupillages assessed?
Our mini-pupillages are not assessed for the purposes of any subsequent application for pupillage or otherwise. We take the view that there are enough calls on the time of those who wish to qualify for the Bar without adding to them by making an assessed mini-pupillage a prerequisite to applying to Fountain Court for pupillage.
When do I apply for a mini-pupillage?
We will only consider applications for mini-pupillage once the applicant has commenced his or her legal education. We consider that mini-pupils will find their time in Chambers most useful if they undertake a mini-pupillage:
- during or after the second year of an undergraduate law degree; or
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during or after the first term of the GDL/CPE for non-law graduates.
There are three deadlines for applications for mini-pupillage during the course of the year.
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Please apply by: |
For a mini-pupillage in the period: |
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30 November |
1 February – 30 April |
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30 January |
1 May – 14 July |
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30 August |
1 October – 14 December |
How do I apply for a Mini-Pupillage?
Applications should be made in writing on the attached application form and sent to Nicola McCardle at Fountain Court Chambers, Fountain Court, Temple London EC4Y 9DH. We would be grateful if applicants would also complete and return the diversity form.
We have sought to develop procedures for selecting mini-pupils which, without being unduly onerous and time-consuming for applicants, are fair, and which, in particular, do not discriminate against any applicant for mini-pupillage on grounds of race, sex, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age or political persuasion. We would welcome any observations or suggestions as to how we might improve our procedures.
Questions about mini-pupillages at Fountain Court should be directed to Nicola McCardle, our Pupillage Assistant. Nicola can be contacted by telephone on 020 7583 3335 or by e-mail at nicola@fountaincourt.co.uk.