How to Tackle the Pupillage Application Process

Applying for pupillage is one of the most daunting challenges aspiring barristers face. It’s stressful, competitive, and can feel overwhelming.

Having been through the pupillage cycle myself, I know the pressure-the anxiety, sleepless nights, and endless second-guessing.

This guide is designed to break the process down, helping you showcase your strengths and approach applications with confidence.

Step 1: Know Your Selling Points

Before drafting answers, you need to understand what makes you stand out. Chambers want to know who you are, so ask yourself: what four key things should they remember about you?

These could be:

Academic achievements (e.g. a first-class law degree, scholarships)
Professional experience (e.g. paralegal work, mini-pupillages, marshalling)
Extracurriculars (e.g. mooting, law society roles, event organisation)
Volunteer or community involvement

Your application should consistently highlight these strengths across answers.

Step 2: Understand the Skills Chambers Look For

Every chambers are essentially looking for evidence of the same core qualities:

Advocacy – Presenting arguments clearly and persuasively, in writing and orally.
Organisation – Managing multiple deadlines and responsibilities efficiently.
Communication – Speaking and writing effectively with different audiences.
Interpersonal skills – Building rapport with clients, clerks, and colleagues.
Analytical thinking – Dissecting complex facts and applying law logically.
Integrity – Acting ethically, honestly, and responsibly.
Commitment and motivation – Demonstrating real dedication to a career at the Bar.

Tip: Many chambers publish their assessment criteria online- use these as a checklist for your applications!

Step 3: Gather Your Evidence

To prove you have these qualities, you need stories. Think back to your experiences and identify situations that demonstrate the skills above. For example:

Dealing with a difficult client as a paralegal.
Analysing a large case bundle and preparing a digest.
Organising a university law ball or panel event.
Handling competing workloads effectively.

Create a list of these examples, then match each one to the skills they illustrate. This also helps you spot any gaps you may need to fill.

Step 4: Structure Your Answers (The STAR Method)

One of the best ways to structure your application answers is the STAR method:

Situation – Set the scene and context.
Task – Identify the problem or challenge.
Action – Explain the steps you took.
Result – Share the outcome and what you learned.

Example:

During a witness intimidation trial, defence counsel was delayed, and the defendant became aggressive. I calmly explained the situation, reassured him, and adapted my tone to de-escalate the situation. His aggression subsided, and I was commended by counsel for my approach.

This method keeps answers focused, evidential, and avoids rambling.

Step 5: Answering “Why This Chambers?”

This is one of the trickiest questions. It’s easy to fall into generic answers, but authenticity is key. You can draw on:

Mini-pupillages or marshalling you’ve completed.
Chambers open days, fairs, or webinars.
Articles, blogs, and reported cases.
Conversations with members of chambers.
Chambers’ website, Legal 500, or practice area insights.

Tailor your answer to show a genuine understanding of their ethos, culture, and work.

Step 6: Prepare for Common Questions

You can often anticipate the types of questions asked on applications and at interviews. These usually cover:

Motivation: Why the Bar? Why this chambers? Why your chosen practice area?
Skills and attributes: What makes a good advocate? Which qualities define a successful barrister?
Achievements: Your proudest moment, or the biggest challenge you’ve faced.
The profession: Challenges facing the Bar, the future of advocacy, diversity, funding.
Ethics: Scenarios testing your understanding of the BSB Handbook and Code of Conduct.
Current affairs: Hot topics such as AI in law, prison reform, or freedom of speech.

Step 7: Handling Current Affairs Questions

Current affairs questions can be daunting, but they’re a chance to show clarity of thought.

A simple approach:

Write the question down (they’re often long).
Take a breath – don’t rush.
Choose your angles: social, economic, political, moral, legal.
Use the rule of three – develop three strong points.

Example: “The early release of prisoners is a denial of justice for victims.”

Agree: undermines sentencing authority, erodes public trust, weakens deterrence.
Disagree: encourages rehabilitation, reduces pressure on prisons, judges already account for release practices.

Step 8: Final Tips and Tricks

Evidence everything: Don’t just claim resilience – prove it. Provide examples, stories, evidence.
Balance achievement with reflection: Show what you learned, not just what you did.
Avoid clichés: Skip “passionate about law” or “dream since childhood.”
Use your word count wisely: Be concise and choose your strongest examples.
Apply the 24-hour rule: Draft, step away, then re-read with fresh eyes.

Break Through The Bar