Pupillage
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The pupillage, in England and Wales, is the barrister's equivalent of the 'training contract' that a solicitor undertakes. It is similar to an apprenticeship where students build on what they have learnt during the Bar vocational course by combining it with practical work experience in a set of barristers' chambers.
A pupillage is the final stage of training to be a barrister and usually lasts one year, being made up of two six-month periods (known as 'sixes'). The first of these is the non-practising six during which pupils shadow their pupil-master and the second will be a practising six when pupils, (with their pupil-master's permission), can undertake to supply legal services and exercise rights of audience. However, with the difficult state of recruitment at the Bar it is becoming more common for trainees to spend each 'six' in a different chambers and/or with a different pupil master; some even complete three sixes before they gain tenancy.
At present the demand for pupillages massively outweighs the supply of places. There is enormous competition for the diminishing number of places. This means that most candidates will have an excellent academic record or an other notable strength.
The table below shows the number of barristers who commenced 1st six pupillages between:
1st October 1998 and 30th September 1999 - 706
1st October 1999 and 30th September 2000 - 681
1st October 2000 and 30th September 2001 - 695
1st October 2001 and 30th September 2002 - 812
1st October 2002 and 30th September 2003 - 586
The financial position of pupils varies enormously. Some pupil barristers will earn £10,000 for a 12 month pupillage in a criminal set. A pupillage at a top commercial chambers can pay £40,000. There are minimum earning for pupils fixed by the Bar Council - namely £5000 for the first six, and a guaranteed earning sum of £10,000 for the second six. Pupils, however, must ask permission before undertaking any part time work at all.
Recently, the OLPAS (Online Pupillage Listings Application System) system for applying to pupillages has become more popular. All chambers must advertise all pupillages (under the Bar's equality code), and if they wish to can accept application through OLPAS, or only non-OLPAS applications. OLPAS is a web-based application centre, where prospective pupils can apply in advance for pupillages offered, usually two or three years ahead of the proposed starting date. Non-OLPAS chambers have their own application procedures, and details of how to contact all chambers with pupillages are advertised on the OLPAS website.
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