The government has launched a new scheme which hopes to deliver up to 100 additional criminal pupillages every year.
The match-funded pupillage scheme, backed by £1.5 million each year, builds on the Council of the Inns of Court pupillage match-funding programme, providing dedicated support for pupillages across England and Wales.
The Bar Council put forward the proposal for government to commit funding for 100 extra criminal pupillages in 2024, under then Chair Sam Townend KC.
Bar Council Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC said: "We welcome the implementation of this initiative, the result of joint working between the Ministry of Justice, the Bar Council, the Criminal Bar Association and the Inns of Courts. It has been championed by the Bar Council since 2024 where it featured in our ‘Manifesto for justice’. The funding of additional criminal pupillages is a necessary step towards fortifying the long-term pipeline of junior criminal barristers. This, in turn, supports the criminal justice system which, in turn, supports complainants, witnesses and defendants by helping to reduce delays caused by a depleted criminal barrister workforce."
Chambers are invited to apply to receive matched funding between 1 September and 16 October 2026. Decisions on applications will be communicated to chambers during the week commencing 2 November 2026.