Mini-Pupillage at Outer Temple Chambers
We at Outer Temple Chambers are keen to offer aspiring barristers the opportunity of a valuable insight into life at the Bar. We offer mini-pupillages twice a year, in the summer (in partnership with Bridging the Bar) and in the winter, and usually take up to 12 candidates at a time.
During the course of a three-day programme, mini-pupils attend a series of talks given by members of Chambers, participate in an advocacy exercise, and are taken on a walking tour of the Royal Courts of Justice and/or the Temple. The talks are designed to give mini-pupils an insight into Chambers’ core practice areas and into life at the Bar in general. There are also Q&A sessions with our current pupils and most junior members of Chambers who are well placed to explain their recent experience of applying for pupillage through the Pupillage Gateway and to provide an insight into life in Chambers at the junior end.
Quite apart from the information we hope to provide over the course of the three days, we have consistently been told by former mini-pupils that the chance to attend a mini-pupillage as part of a group rather than as an individual is not only valuable but is far more enjoyable than the standard and potentially rather isolating experience provided by a more conventional mini-pupillage.
Applications
Our winter mini-pupillage application window is now closed.
Our summer 2025 mini-pupillage, in partnership with Bridging the Bar will commence in June/July 2025. Please contact Bridging the Bar to find out more.
Mini-pupils share their experience at Outer Temple Chambers
“The Mini Pupillage experience at Outer Temple was exceptional. The week was highly organised, constructive, and also a lot of fun. It was particularly helpful to hear from members working in a wide array of practice areas and exposed us to the breadth of work available at chambers. Overall, I cannot recommend Outer Temple Chambers more highly.” (Esmaa Mansour – Summer 2024)
“My experience at Outer Temple was exceptional. I thought it was extremely informative and engaging.” (Vikita Khetani – Summer 2024)
“I have had the most brilliant experience during this mini pupillage. It was extremely informative and engaging. I learnt about a wide range of practice areas.” (Belinda Deslandes-Gay – Summer 2024)
“I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was so well organised and every speaker provided invaluable and interesting information. Everyone was extremely friendly and approachable!” (Ilona Duro – Summer 2024)
“I had a fantastic week in Chambers, I felt welcome and was able to engage in talks and workshops. I learnt about lots of different practice areas from experts which has helped my journey to the bar.” (Levon Curtis – Summer 2024)
“It was a well-organised mini-pupillage. All barristers and staff were friendly and gave us great insight into Chambers and how to be successful at the Bar. I enjoyed every session.” (Sonia Lauren Jassi – Summer 2024)
Mini-Pupillage Grant Scheme
Lincoln’s Inn run a scheme to assist students fund mini pupillages. The Mini Pupillage Grant Scheme offers financial assistance to students who have secured a mini pupillage but need additional funds to complete it. The fund is intended to help with the cost of long distance travel, commuting, accommodation and purchasing appropriate professional clothing. The value of each grant is calculated based on the applicant’s anticipated expenses up to a maximum of £500.
Applicants do not need to members of Lincoln’s Inn and must meet certain social mobility based criteria to be eligible for a grant. More details including all of the application criteria and application form can be found on the funding page of their website. Applications are open all year round.
Mini-Pupillage expenses
Whilst our mini-pupillages are not funded, Outer Temple does not wish potential applicants to be discouraged from applying for a mini-pupillage for financial reasons.
We will reimburse mini-pupils’ reasonable travel expenses and/ or the cost of necessary overnight accommodation (up to £150/night). Overnight accommodation is usually considered to be necessary only if the commute into a central London station is over 90 minutes long. We will reimburse travel costs, but advance standard class tickets must be purchased. Please email Asia Gibbs (asia.gibbs@outertemple.com) in advance of your mini-pupillage to seek approval for your expenses.
Mini-pupils wishing to claim such expenses should retain receipts and submit a completed Travel Expenses Form within 2 weeks of completing their mini pupillage.
Reimbursement of expenses is at the discretion of Outer Temple. Outer Temple will not reimburse an expense claimed if it is unreasonable.
Candidates must have completed at least one year of university education. In selecting candidates for mini pupillage we will take into account the following.
Our mini pupillages are not assessed, and they do not count towards any pupillage application.
The Lawyer Portal (TLP) is a ‘one stop shop’ for anyone considering a career in law, whatever their stage or background. Whether your interest lies in qualifying as a barrister, chartered legal executive, solicitor or paralegal, you will find this a valuable resource.
Outer Temple Chambers participates in various pupillage fairs throughout the year. Please contact your university’s careers service to find out if we are attending your fair or you can meet us at the Bar Council Pupillage Fair and the Legal Cheek Pupillage Fair.
Chambers is a Disability Confident employer. As users of the disability confident scheme, we encourage applicants with a disability to apply to us for advertised vacancies and we aim to interview all disabled applicants who meet the criteria for the vacancy.
The Disability Confident scheme is operated by the Department of Work and Pensions of the UK government.
If you would like to find out more about our mini-pupillage programmes please contact pupillage@outertemple.com.
