mini pupillage at dere street barristers

Mini-pupillages are taken very seriously at Dere Street Barristers. They enable candidates to decide whether a career at the Bar is for them, and expose them to relevant and appropriate experience of our work. Importantly, the process also provides the candidate with an opportunity to demonstrate to Chambers their abilities and aptitude for a successful career at the Bar.

Mini-pupillages at Dere Street Barristers last for three days and are generally based either at the Newcastle premises or the York premises, though candidates must be prepared to travel. Mini Pupillages take place only between 30 April 2012 and 29 June 2012. Given the high demand it may not be possible to accommodate your preferred dates.

We expect candidates to be able to demonstrate commitment to a career at the independent Bar and to be considering seriously an application to Dere Street Barristers for a full pupillage in due course. Details concerning Dere Street Barristers and its work is set out elsewhere on this website and you should familiarise yourself with that before making an application for mini-pupillage.

In the event that during a mini-pupillage a mini-pupil's behaviour or appearance appears to fall short of the standard reasonably to be expected or it transpires that a mini-pupil fails in a material way to meet the criteria stipulated in the mini-pupillage policy then we reserve the right to terminate the mini-pupillage forthwith.

Selection for mini-pupillage is entirely separate from the pupillage process and acceptance / rejection of an application for mini pupillage is not an indication of the likely outcome of any application for pupillage.

Who can apply for a Mini Pupillage?

Undergraduates reading Law, or undergraduates who have already secured a place on a Law conversion course may apply. Post Graduates in Law may also apply.

In selecting mini pupils Dere Street Barristers will determine whether the application demonstrates:

i. academic excellence,
ii. a commitment to a career at the independent Bar,
iii. whether the candidate is seriously considering applying to Dere Street Barristers for a full pupillage in due course, and
iv. whether the presentation of the written application meets a standard consistent with practice at the Bar and these Chambers.

Dere Street Barristers does not offer work experience / work shadowing to those of school age.
How to apply for a Mini Pupillage

Applications for mini-pupillage in 2012 must be submitted via Chambers' own application for which can be downloaded here. Applications must be submitted by 28 February 2012. Applications received after this date or submitted by any other means will not be considered.

Applicants should read the Explanatory Note prior to completing their application. A downloadable copy of the application form is available here.

Successful candidates will be contacted in early April 2012 by email. If an offer is made the onus will be upon the candidate to make contact as set out in the email in order to confirm the dates and their attendance. Given the high demand feedback is not provided to unsuccessful candidates.

Current Round

Pupillages commencing September 2012 have been awarded. The competition for pupillages commencing September 2013 (up to three in number) will open on 15th February 2012 and will close on 18 May 2012. Due to the high demand for places we are unable to consider applications submitted outside this period. Please see the ‘Pupillage’ Section of this website for further details.

The competition for mini pupillages from 30 April 2012 to 29 June 2012 is currently open and will close on 28 February 2012.

Applications for tenancy, pupillage, mini-pupillage or employment are dealt with without regard to the age, sex, ethnic background or sexual orientation of the candidates.