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The Council of the Inns of Court (COIC) Pupillage Matched Funding Scheme helps provide additional pupillages in chambers and other approved training organisations predominantly engaged in legally aided work. Encouragingly, a growing number of chambers are applying for COIC match-funded grants.
It is a prerequisite of the scheme that match-funded pupillages are in addition to those chambers would have offered in any event.
COIC matches pupillage funding already provided by chambers with a total grant of £12,000 for 2026-27 London pupillages and £11,000 for 2026-27 out-of-London pupillages and £12,400 for 2027-28 London pupillages and £11,350 for 2027-28 out-of-London pupillages, to fund the first six months of an additional pupillage. Chambers are responsible for ensuring that the total pupillage award meets the Bar Standards Board’s minimum award for the year in question.
Applications to match fund 2026-28 pupillages are invited between 1 September and 17 October 2025. Decisions will be communicated during the week commencing 3 November 2025. Online applications can be made here.
To find out more please email Hayley Dawes at COIC on hdawes@coic.org.uk
COIC works with the Inns of Court in strengthening the rule of law through excellence in professional and ethical education and in maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct. As an approved training organisation funded primarily through publicly funded advocacy, Furnival Chambers especially welcomes the opportunity enabled by the COIC’s Matched Funding scheme. Chambers’ pupillage selection process is focused upon intellectual ability, analytical skills, advocacy abilities (written and oral), temperament and interpersonal skills, and commitment to the Bar. The COIC Matched Funding scheme allows us to fund and support more pupils (four per year) and therefore allows greater scope still for inclusivity and diversity. We are hugely grateful for this initiative and will continue to reciprocate with COIC towards our common goals.
Julian Bradley Chambers Manager, Furnival Chambers
Pupillage marks the start of a transformative journey, one that challenges, inspires and shapes the foundation of a lasting career at the Bar. Mountford Chambers is incredibly grateful for initiatives like COIC’s matched funding scheme, which plays a crucial role in enabling us to offer high-quality pupillage programmes and continue investing in the future of the profession. We offer 12 to 18 month pupillages grounded in criminal law but shaped by the diversity of our work. Our chambers is defined by a strong sense of community, uncompromising standards and a forward-thinking commitment to the evolving demands of modern criminal practice. We invest deeply in our pupils. Training is structured, supportive and practical. Our application process is transparent and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds who can demonstrate sharp thinking, integrity and a commitment to advocacy.
Alan Kent KC, Head of Pupillage, Mountford Chambers
Mrs Justice Lieven is Chair of the COIC Pupillage Matched Funding Grants Committee.
The Council of the Inns of Court (COIC) Pupillage Matched Funding Scheme helps provide additional pupillages in chambers and other approved training organisations predominantly engaged in legally aided work. Encouragingly, a growing number of chambers are applying for COIC match-funded grants.
It is a prerequisite of the scheme that match-funded pupillages are in addition to those chambers would have offered in any event.
COIC matches pupillage funding already provided by chambers with a total grant of £12,000 for 2026-27 London pupillages and £11,000 for 2026-27 out-of-London pupillages and £12,400 for 2027-28 London pupillages and £11,350 for 2027-28 out-of-London pupillages, to fund the first six months of an additional pupillage. Chambers are responsible for ensuring that the total pupillage award meets the Bar Standards Board’s minimum award for the year in question.
Applications to match fund 2026-28 pupillages are invited between 1 September and 17 October 2025. Decisions will be communicated during the week commencing 3 November 2025. Online applications can be made here.
To find out more please email Hayley Dawes at COIC on hdawes@coic.org.uk
COIC works with the Inns of Court in strengthening the rule of law through excellence in professional and ethical education and in maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct. As an approved training organisation funded primarily through publicly funded advocacy, Furnival Chambers especially welcomes the opportunity enabled by the COIC’s Matched Funding scheme. Chambers’ pupillage selection process is focused upon intellectual ability, analytical skills, advocacy abilities (written and oral), temperament and interpersonal skills, and commitment to the Bar. The COIC Matched Funding scheme allows us to fund and support more pupils (four per year) and therefore allows greater scope still for inclusivity and diversity. We are hugely grateful for this initiative and will continue to reciprocate with COIC towards our common goals.
Julian Bradley Chambers Manager, Furnival Chambers
Pupillage marks the start of a transformative journey, one that challenges, inspires and shapes the foundation of a lasting career at the Bar. Mountford Chambers is incredibly grateful for initiatives like COIC’s matched funding scheme, which plays a crucial role in enabling us to offer high-quality pupillage programmes and continue investing in the future of the profession. We offer 12 to 18 month pupillages grounded in criminal law but shaped by the diversity of our work. Our chambers is defined by a strong sense of community, uncompromising standards and a forward-thinking commitment to the evolving demands of modern criminal practice. We invest deeply in our pupils. Training is structured, supportive and practical. Our application process is transparent and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds who can demonstrate sharp thinking, integrity and a commitment to advocacy.
Alan Kent KC, Head of Pupillage, Mountford Chambers
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, discusses the upcoming changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax and the potential impact on your financial future
Save the Children UK is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
Grok around and find out – or not? Mariya Peykova investigates the nudification scandal, what the law has to say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and whether stronger regulation is needed
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts
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