Mini-Pupillage

Applications for our 2026 General Mini-pupillage Scheme are now closed. 

Mini-Pupillage

We are committed to promoting access to the profession and providing opportunities for those who have historically been under-represented at the Bar. In addition to supporting a number of mini-pupillage access schemes, such as 10KBI, Inner Temple Pegasus Access and Support Scheme, Disability at the Bar and Bridging the Bar, we also run:

• a general mini-pupillage scheme, open to all those over the age of 18; and
• an enhanced mini-pupillage scheme, open to those from under-represented racial and ethnic backgrounds at the Bar.

Please see eligibility, funding and application details for each scheme below.

General Scheme

We offer non-assessed five-day mini-pupillages to those who are interested in joining the bar to practice in the areas of work that QEB Hollis Whiteman covers.

We hope that exposure to the work that our barristers undertake on a day-to-day basis will assist you in making an informed decision about whether you want to pursue a career at the bar. 

Eligibility

Our general scheme is open to anyone over the age of 18. Priority will be given to those in their final degree year / those undertaking the GDL, LPC, BTC, who have an interest in joining the Criminal Bar and have not already completed a number of mini-pupillages at other criminal sets.

During the application process, we will be looking for evidence of:

1. academic ability;
2. reasons why you wish to undertake a mini-pupillage; and
3. interest in QEB Hollis Whiteman and our areas of practice.

How to Apply

The application process for 2026 placements is now closed. The application window for 2027 placements will open on 1st October 2026 and will close on 30th November 2026, applications received out of this period will not be accepted.

If you wish to apply, please download and complete the below application form. Following completion, please send the form by email with the subject title, "FAO: K Lloyd - Mini Pupillage Application 2027 - [Your Name]" to pupillageevents@qebhw.co.uk

Click here to download the application form.

We do not conduct interviews for mini-pupillage applications. We aim to accommodate as many mini-pupils as possible, but receive a large number of applications each year and acceptance is not guaranteed. Please note that due to the number of applications received, we are only able to contact successful applicants. 

We ask that you inform us of your dates to avoid within the form. If you are successful, we will contact you with the dates you have been allocated. If you cannot undertake mini-pupillage in the week allocated then we will do our best to rearrange but cannot guarantee that we will be able to offer alternative dates. 

Expenses and Financial Assistance

Our general mini-pupillages are not funded. Each mini-pupil will be expected to pay for their own travel (and, if necessary, accommodation) expenses incurred in attending the mini-pupillage. 

We do, however, offer financial assistance up to £150 per mini-pupil to those that require it if they meet the following criteria: 

A: Have attended a state school/college, and are able to demonstrate high academic achievement. 

AND 

B: Meet one or more of the following criteria: 

• Neither of applicant's parents attended higher education
• Applicant's family were in receipt of income support
• Applicant has caring responsibilities for others
• Applicant brought up in the state's care
• Applicant has a disability 

We consider applications made in other circumstances at our discretion. If you wish to apply for financial assistance, please indicate in the appropriate section of the application form. 

Enhanced Mini-Pupillage

Enhanced Mini-Pupillage

Our Enhanced Mini-Pupillage Scheme is open to applicants from under-represented racial and ethnic backgrounds at the Bar*.

This two-week programme provides:

• Advocacy training alongside current QEB pupils. These sessions mirror the training and exposure offered by some banks and City firms to interns, vacation scheme students and scholars, who train alongside current trainees.

• A stipend to assist with living costs (up to £30 per day for subsistence, plus any TfL costs for daily travel during the Enhanced Mini-Pupillage) and to cover travel to and from London, as well as accommodation expenses for those based outside London.

• A drafting exercise with individual feedback.
• Overall feedback at the end of the placement.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet both of the following criteria:

• The candidate identifies as one of the following:
  • Black/Black British (i.e. Black African, Black Caribbean or Black mixed-race); or
  • Asian/Asian British or Asian mixed-race.
• The candidate was educated at a state school (i.e. did not attend a fee-paying school).

Applications for the Enhanced Mini-Pupillage will require: (1) a completed application form, and (2) a short video-recorded assessment. 

1. The application form can be downloaded here.

2. Please record a short video (no longer than 3 minutes) of yourself answering the following question: ‘Should a defendant facing a possible prison sentence have the right to insist on a jury trial, even if that adds to court delays? Make the case for or against.’ The video must be in a readily playable format. Please do not be concerned with the background of the recording or attire; no marks will be awarded or reduced on the basis of this or any other recording environment or physical presentational.  

Applications open on 6 August 2026 and close on 12 September 2026. The two-week Enhanced Mini-Pupillage programme will take place in a period to be agreed starting from November 2026.

Please submit both your completed application form, and a playable video recording via email to defne.malley@qebhw.co.uk, quoting 'Enhanced Mini-Pupillage Application' in the subject line. Any questions about the application process or the programme should also be directed to this email address. 

Pupillage Applications

Please note that we do not require applicants for pupillage to have completed a mini-pupillage with us prior to applying. 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.

Equality & Inclusion

QEB Hollis Whiteman is strongly committed to promoting and advancing equality and diversity in all aspects of Chambers' life. Please check our Equality & Inclusion page for further details. 

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 they 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.