Pupillage Training

During pupillage/work-based learning there are a number of compulsory courses which pupils will be required to undertake. This training is taken to ensure that all pupils are able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attributes set out in the Professional Statement for Barristers on ‘day one’ of practice.

Part 4 of the BSB Bar Qualification Manual contains these requirements for the pupillage/work-based learning stage of training to become a barrister, including the structure of pupillage, pupil supervisors, pupillage funding, pupil responsibilities and support & advice. Section 4J contains details of assessment of pupils and compulsory courses.

At present, pupils must:

  • satisfactorily complete an advocacy course during the non-practising period of pupillage (usually your ‘first six’) which is provided by your Circuit or Inn of court; and
  • pass a Professional Ethics assessment, which is set and marked by the BSB. You will need to have completed at least 3 months of pupillage before undertaking the assessment, unless you are a transferring qualified lawyer (TQL) and have been granted a reduced pupillage.

A Negotiation Skills course and assessment is likely to be introduced for pupils over the next several years.

The ICCA is committed to supporting pupils during their training for the Bar. Please click on the links below to find out more.

Pupillage Professional Ethics

The ICCA’s Professional Ethics materials have been designed to assist pupils in their preparation for the Bar Standards Board’s Pupillage Ethics Exam. This is a compulsory exam which applies to all students who commenced Bar Training from 2020 onwards, or who completed the Bar Transfer Test from August 2021 onwards.

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Negotiation

The BSB intend to introduce a compulsory Negotiation Skills course and assessment which must be satisfactorily completed in the non-practising (usually ‘first six’) period of pupillage. This requirement is likely to come into force for pupils starting on or after 1 September 2023.

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Pupillage Advocacy

Pupils are required to satisfactorily complete an advocacy course during the non-practising period of their pupillage/work-based learning. The ICCA also overseas coordination of the Stage 3 Pupil Assessment Procedure (Stage 3 PAPP) on behalf of the BSB for pupils who have not met the required competency standard in advocacy.

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