Pupillage at Outer Temple Chambers: aims and objectives

Pupillage is the final stage on the route to qualification as a practising barrister, in which practical training is undertaken supervised by an experienced member of the Bar. Those who successfully complete pupillage with us in accordance with the specified standards (including the compulsory continuing education courses required by the Bar Standards Board), will be granted a full qualification certificate.

Outer Temple Chambers aims to ensure its pupillages are of the highest quality, in respect of the individual learner experience and support given. We are accredited as an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) by the Bar Standards Board, our regulator, and also monitored in that capacity to ensure satisfactory standards of training provision are met. Our pupils have the opportunity to provide feedback both to Chambers and the BSB about the quality of their pupillage learning experience. Our detailed pupillage policy is provided to all pupils at induction.

In line with the principles stated in the Bar Training Regulations and as given in the BSB’s Pupillage Handbook, the aims of the pupillage are:

  • to prepare pupils for practice at the Bar of England & Wales
  • to develop further the knowledge, skills and competencies gained at the vocational stage of training so that pupils can be assessed as competent in the practice of law
  • to provide further development of excellence in advocacy
  • to further develop a high level professional and ethical approach to practice as a barrister, in keeping with the BSB Handbook and Code of Conduct
  • to establish the skills and competencies necessary for practice, whether in chambers or as an employed barrister
  • to equip pupils to perform competently in matters in which they are likely to be briefed during the early years of practice, and to provide skills and experience to enable them to deal with complex matters as they develop
  • to ensure that pupils are able to take responsibility for their own professional development
  • to prepare pupils for practice in a plural and culturally diverse environment

Typical duties of a pupil undertaking a twelve month pupillage are described overleaf.

Areas of training / Responsibilities
Out of court (1st six months) /
  • Carrying out legal research for pupil supervisor and other members of Chambers
  • Undertaking written instructions for pupil supervisor and other Members of Chambers with supervisor’s permission
  • Attending conferences with pupil supervisor (or with other members of Chambers, with supervisor’s permission)

Out of court work (2nd six months) /
  • As immediately above
  • Undertaking written instructions for instructing solicitors

Court work (1st six months) /
  • Assisting and supporting pupil supervisor in the preparation and presentation of cases in court
  • Accompanying other members of Chambers to court to gain experience of advocacy by observation and assisting them in the preparation and presentation of their cases

Court work (2nd six months) /
  • Appearing and presenting cases in court
  • Reporting results of cases to instructing solicitors
  • Preparing written note of cases and judgements for instructing solicitors

General /
  • Registration of the pupillage with the Bar Standards Board prior to commencement
  • Compliance with the duties of pupils as set out in section 801 of the Code of Conduct for the Bar and Part V of the Consolidated Regulations
  • Compliance with the requirements of the Pupillage Handbook
  • Completion of the pupillage checklist throughout pupillage, and particularly at the end of the first and second six months of pupillage
  • Submission of certificates of satisfactory completion and completed checklists to the Bar Standards Board
  • Maintenance of a portfolio of work and work diary
  • Completion of compulsory advocacy training and Practice Management Course
  • Completing relevant checklists
  • Planning and reviewing pupillage activities with supervisors
  • Arranging and attending professional courses and activities as may be prescribed by the Bar Council and the pupil’s Inn of Court
  • Maintaining detailed records of all work carried out
  • Any duties as reasonably required by pupil supervisor
Undertaking FRU casework and related duties as reasonably required

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Outer Temple ChambersSt James’s Building10 Rockefeller PlazaFloor 5Level 15
The Outer Temple61-95 Oxford Street16th FloorBlock BThe Gate Building
222 StrandManchesterNew York Al Saman TowersDubai International
LondonM1 6FQNY 10020-1903Hamdan StreetFinancial Centre
WC2R 1BAUnited StatesAbu Dhabi, UAEDubai, UAE

Tel: +44 (0)20 7353 6381Tel: +44 (0)161 236 5321Tel: +1 (212) 713 7680Tel: +971 4401 9584Tel: +971 4401 9584