What can you learn from a mini pupillage?

May 31, 2022

Written By Isabella Priestman-Bennett

Beyond the obvious advantages they offer at the application stage for pupillage, there is so much that can be gained from mini pupillages. This article sets out some of the valuable lessons that can be learned from spending a few days in chambers.

What is a mini pupillage?

Firstly, it is worth noting that there is no single mini pupillage experience: what your mini will look like will depend on who supervises you, how long you spend in chambers and the nature of the work your supervisor is doing at that particular time.

It is also worth noting that assessed mini pupillages (those used as part of the application process for pupillage) can look very different to ordinary mini pupillages.

Generally, however, mini pupillages tend to involve a few days shadowing a barrister, often reading papers relating to a case that they are working on and potentially spending some time with them in court.

So what can be learned from this experience?

Insight into the work that barristers do

Mini pupillages are a fantastic way to gain some insight into the type of work that barristers do within a particular practice area. They provide a unique opportunity for you, as an aspiring barrister, to get a sense of the balance in a barrister’s schedule between working on written advisory work and time spent in court or representing parties in, for example, inquiries or arbitration.

Not only is getting into court a fantastic chance to observe some advocacy, but it is also a valuable opportunity to see how practical matters – for example cost management – can influence proceedings.

Insight into daily life at the bar

Observing the daily working life of a barrister is also an invaluable opportunity to get a sense of some of the advantages and disadvantages of life at the bar. This can be helpful when approaching interviews in the future, when you might well be asked what your sense is of some of the difficulties of life at the bar.

Learn about an area of law that interests you

Having applied to chambers because you’re interested in the work that they do, a mini pupillage is an opportunity to get involved in real cases and get a sense of the legal issues that you might encounter within that area of the law.

The barrister you are shadowing is likely to ask you for your opinion on the papers you read or the proceedings that you observe, and this can be a useful way of gauging if this kind of thinking is suited to you.

Learn about that particular chambers

Supervising barristers during mini-pupillages are keen to show off their chambers, and this means they often take their minis on tours of chambers and introduce them to other members along the way. This can be a great way to learn about the culture within chambers and to learn more about the people that you might be working with in the future.

Opportunity to ask questions

Ultimately, a mini pupillage is a unique opportunity to ask those in the profession that you are seeking to join all your burning questions.

Mini Pupillage