Mini-Pupillage

QEB Hollis Whiteman Pupillage Events 2025/2026

If you are interested in applying to QEB Hollis Whiteman for pupillage then we warmly invite you to attend two events which will provide an opportunity to learn more about us, meet members of Chambers and receive top tips on how to obtain pupillage. 

Open Evening - Tuesday 25 November 2025

At this event, our Head of Pupillage will explain the key aspects of pupillage with QEB and then Heads of Practice Groups (General Crime, Corporate & Financial Crime, Regulatory, Public Law and Private Prosecutions) will each provide more information regarding QEB's work. Thereafter, there will be a drinks reception during which you will have the opportunity to speak with Members of Chambers and the current pupils. 

Virtual Q&A - Tuesday 6 January 2026 

During this event, some of our junior tenants and current pupils will provide their top tips on applying for and then how to make the most of pupillage at QEB. They'll then be available to answer any questions you might have about the application process or life at QEB.

If you would like to attend either event, then please contact Tilly Hawkins setting out which event you would like to attend, your full name, stage of study and the higher education institute you attend. 

Applications for our 2026 General Mini-pupillage Scheme are now open. Please see below for application details. 

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 open and will close on Friday 28 November 2025. Applications received after 5pm on Friday 28 November 2025 will not be considered. Offers will be sent out in the week commencing 8 December 2025. 

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 2026 - [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 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, accomodation) 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

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 take place alongside current QEB pupils and mirror the training and exposure offered by some banks and firms in the City to interns/vac-schemes/scholars who receive training alongside contemporary trainees.
• A stipend to assist with living costs, and to cover the costs of travel and accommodation for those based outside London.
• An opportunity to complete a drafting exercise with feedback.
• Overall feedback at the end of the placement.

Applications for the enhanced mini-pupillage require a written submission, CV, and a short video interview. Further details, including eligibility and protected characteristic criteria can be found below:

* 1) 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; and

AND

2) The candidate was State school educated (i.e. did not attend a fee-paying school).

Applications for enhanced mini-pupillages in November 2026 will open on 1 August 2026. Please revisit this website in Spring 2026 for further details on the application process.

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.