Bar Council move Pupillage Gateway timetable

Following a consultation with both students and chambers, the Bar Council have decided to move the Pupillage Gateway timetable, starting in January 2017.

What this means for students is that applicants will know the outcome of their applications for pupillages before committing to the Bar Professional Training Course, which is an expensive endeavour, exacerbated if one hasn’t had any success in the application process.

On top of this pupillage interviews will no longer clash with exams, easing the pressure on students trying to academically succeed alongside gaining a pupillage place.

Before making the decision, the Council ran a consultation process where they asked both chambers and students about the proposed timetable change. The response was overwhelmingly positive from both parties, and thus the change has been implemented.

Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, Chairman of the Bar, said: “This is a common-sense decision by the Bar and students. Given the high costs associated with the BPTC, the new Pupillage Gateway timetable, which will run from January to April as of 2017, means that at least students applying through the Gateway will know if they have pupillage before committing to the BPTC.

“However, this was never going to be about simply changing the date of Gateway. The Bar Council has an ongoing and crucial role to play in supporting students and pupillage providers. Over the next year we will be raising awareness about mini-pupillages, providing support via the Bar Council’s Pupillage Fair and continuing to equip students with the knowledge they need before they commit to the BPTC.”

Whilst the vast majority of those who responded to the consultation were in favour of the Gateway timetable change, the Council also fully acknowledged that it was willing to work with those who saw difficulties with the new schedule, and make their lives easier.

Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC added: “We intend to learn from the experience of those chambers who are already recruiting earlier in the year and will work with our members to make the move work for them.”

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