*/
Nathalie Lieven QC explains the Council of the Inns of Court’s first six funding scheme.
As readers will know this is a very hard time for chambers that rely on publicly funded work, particularly those doing crime. One of the worst consequences of the extreme financial pressure that many chambers find themselves under has been a dramatic fall in the number of pupillages available, again particularly in criminal sets reliant on public funding. Although the reduction in pupillages is wholly understandable, it makes even worse the disparity between the number of people who complete their academic training but are unable to get a pupillage, and must place in jeopardy the future of the criminal Bar.
One of the worst consequences of the extreme financial pressure that many chambers find themselves under has been a dramatic fall in the number of pupillages available, again particularly in criminal sets reliant on public funding. Although the reduction in pupillages is wholly understandable, it makes even worse the disparity between the number of people who complete their academic training but are unable to get a pupillage, and must place in jeopardy the future of the criminal Bar.
It was in the light of this situation that COIC (the Council of the Inns of Court) has set up the Pupillage Matched Funding Scheme. Each of the four Inns has contributed funds and with this money the Inns will match the first six funding for pupillages provided by chambers. It is a requirement of the Scheme that chambers undertake that the pupillages being funded are additional to those that they would have offered in any event. The individual chambers recruit the pupil or pupils as they would normally do. If they recruit any additional pupils then the first six months of the pupillage will be funded by the Scheme, up to a maximum of £6,000, per additional pupil. The grant is then paid to the chambers. The COIC Grants Committee plays no role in the recruitment of the pupils who are part funded through the Scheme.
The first round of applications was considered in December 2013 and 15 pupillages are being funded in 2014, and a further 16, so far, in 2015. COIC was very keen to get the Scheme going quickly so that at least some additional pupillages could be in place for Autumn 2014. We are hoping that this year as the Scheme gains wider publicity and understanding, more chambers will apply and more additional pupillages will be created. We do appreciate that this is to some degree a drop in the ocean of problems facing chambers reliant on public funding. However, the future of the Bar depends on recruiting good candidates at the bottom end, and keeping a flow of pupils coming into chambers. It is also very damaging to the reputation of the Bar if there is such a wide gap between those who qualify and incur major financial burdens, and those who can actually get pupillage.
The next round of applications for funding of pupillages in 2015 and 2016 will be sought by the Committee by 5.00pm on Monday 1 December 2014. For more details and to complete and submit the online application please follow the link to www.innsofcourt.org.uk. We very much hope that more chambers which meet the criteria will apply.
Mrs Justice Lieven is Chair of the COIC Pupillage Matched Funding Grants Committee.
One of the worst consequences of the extreme financial pressure that many chambers find themselves under has been a dramatic fall in the number of pupillages available, again particularly in criminal sets reliant on public funding. Although the reduction in pupillages is wholly understandable, it makes even worse the disparity between the number of people who complete their academic training but are unable to get a pupillage, and must place in jeopardy the future of the criminal Bar.
It was in the light of this situation that COIC (the Council of the Inns of Court) has set up the Pupillage Matched Funding Scheme. Each of the four Inns has contributed funds and with this money the Inns will match the first six funding for pupillages provided by chambers. It is a requirement of the Scheme that chambers undertake that the pupillages being funded are additional to those that they would have offered in any event. The individual chambers recruit the pupil or pupils as they would normally do. If they recruit any additional pupils then the first six months of the pupillage will be funded by the Scheme, up to a maximum of £6,000, per additional pupil. The grant is then paid to the chambers. The COIC Grants Committee plays no role in the recruitment of the pupils who are part funded through the Scheme.
The first round of applications was considered in December 2013 and 15 pupillages are being funded in 2014, and a further 16, so far, in 2015. COIC was very keen to get the Scheme going quickly so that at least some additional pupillages could be in place for Autumn 2014. We are hoping that this year as the Scheme gains wider publicity and understanding, more chambers will apply and more additional pupillages will be created. We do appreciate that this is to some degree a drop in the ocean of problems facing chambers reliant on public funding. However, the future of the Bar depends on recruiting good candidates at the bottom end, and keeping a flow of pupils coming into chambers. It is also very damaging to the reputation of the Bar if there is such a wide gap between those who qualify and incur major financial burdens, and those who can actually get pupillage.
The next round of applications for funding of pupillages in 2015 and 2016 will be sought by the Committee by 5.00pm on Monday 1 December 2014. For more details and to complete and submit the online application please follow the link to www.innsofcourt.org.uk. We very much hope that more chambers which meet the criteria will apply.
Nathalie Lieven QC explains the Council of the Inns of Court’s first six funding scheme.
As readers will know this is a very hard time for chambers that rely on publicly funded work, particularly those doing crime. One of the worst consequences of the extreme financial pressure that many chambers find themselves under has been a dramatic fall in the number of pupillages available, again particularly in criminal sets reliant on public funding. Although the reduction in pupillages is wholly understandable, it makes even worse the disparity between the number of people who complete their academic training but are unable to get a pupillage, and must place in jeopardy the future of the criminal Bar.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Switching from a physical blue book to OneNote is simple, secure and game-changing, says Elizabeth Bowden – you’ll wonder how you managed without it...
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
