Mini-Pupillage

QEB Hollis Whiteman offer non-assessed mini-pupillages lasting one week to those who are interested in coming to the Criminal Bar. The aim of our mini-pupillage scheme is to help people to decide whether a career at the Bar is for them by giving them exposure to the work that we do on a day-to-day basis. To that end, we aim to send mini-pupils to court every day and try to ensure they see as diverse a range of court work as possible. It is an opportunity to find out about the profession first hand to enable you to make an informed decision about whether you want to pursue a career at the bar.

Please note that we do not require potential pupils to have completed a mini-pupillage with us prior to applying for a pupillage. The process of 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. Please do not, therefore, be deterred from applying for pupillage if you are unsuccessful in obtaining a mini-pupillage with us.

How to Apply

The application window for 2024 mini pupillages has now closed. The application window for 2025 mini pupillages will open between 2 September and 29 November 2024. Please check this page then for details of how to apply.

Expenses and Financial Assistance

Each mini-pupil will be expected to pay for his or her own travel (and, if necessary, accommodation) expenses incurred in attending the mini-pupillage. However, if an applicant does not have sufficient means to meet those expenses then we may be able to offer financial assistance in the form of a bursary. We offer up to a maximum of £150 per mini-pupil. 

Applicants qualifying for financial assistance are likely to be those who satisfy the following criteria:

A: Have attended a state school or college, are able to demonstrate high academic achievement, and have attended or are attending university.

AND

B: Meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Neither of your parents went to university
• You have received free school meals or your family has received income support
• You have caring responsibilities
• You were in care yourself
• You have a disability

We will consider applications made in other circumstances at our discretion. Should a mini-pupillage applicant wish to apply for financial assistance, please indicate this at the end of your covering letter, specifying how you meet the above criteria.

Any application for financial assistance will be kept entirely confidential and will not affect any future application to Chambers.

Equal Opportunities

QEB Hollis Whiteman is committed to equal opportunities and does not discriminate on the grounds of race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic and national origin), sex, pregnancy and maternity, disability, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, religion or belief, age, or gender assignment. If a successful candidate has a disability, we will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments.

QEB Hollis Whiteman is committed to assisting the Bar to become as diverse and inclusive as possible. To this end, we encourage applications from university students and post-graduates from less advantaged backgrounds and those from minority ethnic communities.

Arabella MacDonald is the appointed Equality and Diversity officer in Chambers.

Confidentiality

At the start of the week each mini-pupil is asked to sign an undertaking to maintain confidentiality in respect of all the sensitive and confidential information he or she may hear or read about during the mini-pupillage. You should be aware that, as a criminal chambers, our work includes dealing with serious and violent crime and it is likely that you will be exposed to material pertaining to such offences.