Pupillage Fair 2025 exhibitor opportunities

Our Pupillage fair is the largest recruitment fair run by the Bar, for the Bar of the future. The fair has been running for 10 years, during which time it has grown significantly in size, and forms an important part of our strategic commitment to fair access and to our profession, regardless of background. It also provides Authorised Education and Training Organisations (AETOs) and other relevant organisations with an opportunity to invest in the future of the profession and improve access to the Bar.

Our Pupillage fair consists of an in-person exhibition, seminar programme and CV clinic, accompanied by a series of online life at the Bar webinars. It is held with the support of the Council of the Inns of Court and the Chancery, commercial, criminal, employment law, family, technology and construction Bar, and personal injury associations.

The Pupillage fair offers aspiring barristers the perfect opportunity to improve their understanding of the profession, and the various organisations associated with it. Attendees can meet with AETOs, attend panel events designed to showcase specific areas of practice and routes to the profession, and receive feedback on their CV’s and pupillage applications from barristers at the CV Clinic.

The fair provides exhibitors with an important opportunity to engage with aspiring barristers, nearly 80% of whom will be seeking to apply for pupillage in the same year. It promotes access to the profession and represents an unparalleled marketing opportunity for AETOs, which may be why 97.2% of the exhibitors that we welcomed to the event in 2024 indicated that they would like to return this year.

Last year, the in-person element of the Pupillage fair attracted: over 900 students from 90+ universities, both in the UK and abroad, and 114 exhibitors including AETOs and associations all interacting face-to-face with the next generation of the Bar. 97% of our attendees leave the Pupillage fair feeling equally or more confident about pursuing a career at the Bar.

The exhibition element of the Pupillage fair 2025 will be taking place in person on Saturday 18 October 2025 at Convene, 133 Houndsditch, Liverpool Street, London, and will include:

• A large exhibition hosting over 100 exhibitor stands, providing AETOs and other relevant organisations with the opportunity to connect with aspiring barristers face-to-face
• An application and CV clinic where aspiring barristers will be able to connect with volunteer barristers to get advice on their CVs or pupillage applications
• A seminar programme with expert speakers sharing their advice on how to get pupillage

The majority of the seminar programme will be run as a virtual fringe series during the week leading up to the main in-person event on the Saturday. On the day itself, we will also run in-person seminars on how to get pupillage, and work experience opportunities 4 for prospective barristers, providing attendees with a full programme of activities in which to immerse themselves.

Located near Liverpool Street station, 133 Houndsditch is a state-of-the-art fully accessible conference and exhibition venue. The Bar Council’s Pupillage fair will take place across two floors with a large exhibition area for 100+ exhibitor stands, adjoining meeting rooms for seminars and the CV clinic, and breakout spaces for both attendees and exhibitors to step away from the hustle and bustle

To exhibit at this year’s fair, email [email protected] to reserve a stand before 5pm on Friday 13 June 2025. Please note that due to the limited number of exhibitors stands available, allocation is on a first come, first served basis and your exhibition stand is only confirmed once a signed exhibitor agreement and payment have been received.

We recommend having a minimum of 2 representatives on the stand throughout the day. We also encourage AETOs to send additional representatives to take part in the CV clinic.

The Bar Council remains committed to offering pro bono and discounted stands to AETOs who: 

• Receive grants from the Council of the Inns of Court pupillage matched funding scheme
• Undertake a significant amount of publicly funded work
• Are newly established as pupillage providers
• Are located outside of London and would incur significant expenses to attend the fair.

Those who fall into any of the categories outlined above are invited to email [email protected] and set out:

• Why you would like to participate in this year’s event, particularly if you have not joined a previous Bar Council Pupillage fair
• Your reasoning for requiring a pro bono or discounted stand
• The amount that you would reasonably be able to pay for a stand

Applications will be assessed within 5 working days and must be received before 5pm on Friday 13 June 2025.