Around 7 years ago at this very time I started drafting my first ever pupillage application. It has taken a number of attempts over the last few years to finally receive the coveted offer of pupillage. Having come out recently on the other side of pupillage, I have penned down some thoughts about my experience as a pupil and the process of applying for pupillage for other aspiring barristers out there.
Pupillage is split into two parts, a non-practising period for 6 months and a practising period for 6 months. The non-practising period involves shadowing other members of chambers including your pupil supervisor for their day to day work including court hearings and client conferences. The practising period is when you are granted a provisional practising certificate which entitles you to exercise reserved legal activities and represent clients for court hearings and to provide legal advice. These periods are commonly referred to as 'first 6' and 'second 6' to differentiate between the first 6 months of non-practising period and the second 6 months of your practising period.
The first 6
This is an incredibly exciting time for any pupil regardless of how much time it has taken to reach this point. I spent much of my first week wondering whether chambers had in fact made a mistake and meant to offer another individual my spot for pupillage. It was a challenge some days to pace myself and enjoy this time rather than spend it worrying about whether I was good enough to be there.
You will be a pupil for a finite period of time and there is so much to learn in such a short amount of time. This time was crucial not just to fill in the gaps in my learning but also to help develop and fine tune my personal advocacy style. When in court, I would make notes of the different advocacy styles that I was listening to, not just of those that I was shadowing from my own chambers but also opponents from other chambers. Whilst there is a lot of learning to be completed during this time it is important to enjoy this experience that you have worked so hard for.
There have been numerous learning experiences during pupillage, including becoming accustomed to regular train travel outside of London. I routinely travel across London and also along the South Eastern Circuit and I now have an impressive collection of post cards and fridge magnets to attest to my local travels.
The second 6
In the final days before the second 6 began the anticipation of finally being on my feet was unbearable. This is the moment that I have been working towards for so many years, through a law degree and Bar course and countless pupillage applications. The realities of a barrister’s diary meant that the hearing I was booked to do on my first day had come out last minute and I ended up having my very first case as a remote hearing the next day.
There is a lot of excitement about finally being on your own and you begin to build the independent lifestyle of a self-employed barrister that you had always dreamt of. The biggest challenge during this time was to set boundaries in place, not just professionally but personally, including limiting the amount of time I spent working on a weekend. This balance between my work and personal life was greatly encouraged by my chambers and my pupil supervisors helped me by checking in on my wellbeing and encouraging me to book time out for preparation and paperwork.
The light at the end of the tunnel
Pupillage is a daunting time but there is light at the end of the tunnel. It is a rigorous and challenging process but you will come out a better advocate at the other end. This is truly a unique training process and I would encourage all pupil barristers to not be afraid to ask your pupil supervisors to help you with what you want for your own learning and training. Your pupil supervisors and chambers are rooting for you and they want you to succeed just as much as you want to.
Pupillage applications
I made countless applications before I finally received an offer. It truly takes a village to be successful and I would encourage everyone to start building that village as early as possible. These applications cannot be rushed and it takes much more time than you anticipate to be able to finesse your applications and answers to the standard that is required so start as early as possible. Your application must be tailored to each individual chambers and practice area and anyone that is reading your application for you will inevitably need time to be able to give you helpful feedback.
Minahil Tariq is a tenant at 5 St Andrew’s Hill. Minahil was called to the Bar in 2019 and obtained pupillage in 2024. Minahil has recently completed pupillage successfully and has accepted an offer of tenancy. Minahil practices exclusively across all areas of family law.