On Saturday 13 November from 11:00am to 2:00pm we are welcoming Chambers from all over the UK to our virtual ULaw Pupillage Fair. The Pupillage Fair gives students a chance to meet with a number of Chambers and improve their chances of securing a pupillage. During the online fair, students also get the opportunity to take part in a huge range of talks and employability workshops.
By Cara Fielder. Published 28 October 2021. Last updated 1 November 2021.
A pupillage is a 12-month training period for students to qualify as barristers after completing the Bar Practice Course (BPC). It is usually spent in a barristers’ Chambers and gives trainees an opportunity to put their studies into practice. Pupillage Fairs offer an important opportunity for law students to progress onto this stage.
Along with the chance to meet chambers from all across the UK, getting advice on applying for a pupillage and taking part in careers talks and workshops, students attending our virtual Pupillage Fair, have the opportunity to network with exhibitors on their ‘interactive’ virtual stands. Previous exhibitors include 1 Crown Office Row, 4 Stone Buildings, 5 Essex Court, Broadway House Chambers, Exchange Chambers, KBW Chambers, Parklane Plowden, Spire Barristers and the Crown Prosecution Service. Keep an eye out on this page to find out which exhibitors will be attending this year.
Sharon Tappin, Barrister at Spire, said: “Pupillage fairs give prospective pupils the opportunity to meet and find out more about different chambers and different areas of practice. It is also an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the work and the people. Pupillage fairs also offer Chambers an opportunity to advertise themselves to prospective applicants which assists in ensuring a broad pool of candidates apply.”
Katie White, a pupil barrister at the Crown Prosecution Service, gives advice on what she has learned from her experience in applying for pupillage. “It is really important to show an interest in the place you are applying to – not just the chambers or employer but to the area of law they specialise in, any of the work they do outside of practice (promotion of social issues etc) or the geographic location. I once got asked why I wanted pupillage at a Chambers in Manchester. After providing what I believed to be a justified reason for applying for pupillage in Manchester, I was asked a follow up question – if I got offered a pupillage in Manchester and also got offered one in Newcastle which would I take? As someone who grew up, studied and worked in the North East at the time, my CV was against me – but what was clear is that they wanted somebody who would remain in the area long term.”
During the virtual ULaw Pupillage Fair, we'll also be running regular talks and panel sessions throughout the event, including an introduction to our BPC, talks on practicing in Birmingham, London and in the North, and an overview of our Bar Employability Support.
For more information on the Pupillage Fair such as how to prepare and network, see our webpage.
To attend this year’s Pupillage Fair, book here.
