Mini Pupillage
A mini-pupillage at 3DJB is a fantastic opportunity to experience a full range of family and civil law and get a better understanding of what life at the Bar is really like.
You do not need to have undertaken a mini-pupillage with 3DJB to apply to us for pupillage, however we hope that a mini-pupillage with us will help you decide whether our specialisms and our Chambers are right for you. Candidates must be over 18 and have completed their secondary education.
Applications
We aim to offer 12 mini-pupillages per year within a quarterly recruitment pattern. Applications are to be made by way of CV and cover letter to minipupillages@3djb.co.uk copying in Elizabeth Wark ewark@3djb.co.uk. Applications should be made by 4pm on the second Friday of the following months: January, April, July, October.
There are no interviews for mini-pupillages and candidates will be considered on their paper application only.
Recruitment Cycles
Our next recruitment cycle will close on 4pm 10th January 2025, with mini-pupillage places offered to successful applicants falling within the remainder of January, February and March 2025. As we are aware that Pupillage Gateway closes in early February 2025, we will do our best to accommodate a mini-pupillage during January 2025. Please specify within your covering letter if your preference is for a January place.
The deadline for applications in next cycle thereafter will be 4pm on 14th April 2025, with mini-pupillage places offered to successful applicants falling within the remainder of April, May and June 2025.
The process and deadlines will follow the same quarterly pattern as above.
Due to the number of applications we receive, only successful candidates will be contacted.
What Do We Look For?
A mini-pupillage is about gaining experience to see if this career is for you and if so, what area of law or type of Chambers are you looking for. It also helps to draw from this experience when completing pupillage applications.
With this in mind, when considering your application we look for:
- Strong academic ability
- An interest in the Bar and our Chambers’ specialisms
- A passion for the law and advocacy
Due to the nature of the work we do, all applicants must be over 18 years of age and will be required to sign a confidentiality and GDPR agreement before commencing the mini-pupillage. We encourage applications from candidates at all stages in their university education (undergraduate onwards).
Structure of Mini-Pupillages
Our mini-pupillages are typically for 3 days. Exact times and dates will be set once selections have been made and any preferences as to dates will be considered.
Whilst some hearings are undertaken remotely (by phone or video conferencing), most hearings are “in person” hearings. For those applying from outside London, we can do our best to accommodate you for remote hearings only but this cannot be guaranteed.
Whether remote or in person, you must be dressed in smart, court-appropriate attire and attend on time. Typically, you would be expected to be available from 9am until 5pm and you will be given time for lunch. As a general rule we will not reimburse fares but are open to considering this to ensure fair access to our scheme for all.
Our mini-pupillages are not assessed. We aim to ensure you are able to gain experience, motivation and insight into the life of a barrister from the work you will see while with us. Whilst undertaking a mini-pupillage at 3DJB we would encourage you to meet our members of Chambers and ask them about life at the Bar, their areas of practice, pupillage and any other questions you have. We want you to enjoy your time in Chambers and hope that you leave excited about a career as a Barrister.
We are committed to ensuring that we adhere to the Bar Council’s principles in respect of Fair Recruitment when considering applications for mini-pupillage. Please see our Equality and Diversity Policy for further details - https://www.3djb.co.uk/equality-and-diversity