*/
If you’re thinking about a career at the Bar and want to know how to pursue it successfully, pupillage fairs are the place to find out. The Bar Council’s Pupillage Fair in London is the largest recruitment fair run by the Bar, for the Bar of the future with more than 100 exhibitors attending. Here’s why you should come along or head to Manchester for the Pupillage Fair North, organised by the Northern Circuit and North Eastern Circuit and supported by the Bar Council.
At the pupillage fairs, everyone you need to meet is under one roof. You’ll have the opportunity to talk to people who do the work you’re interested in, with chambers and employers from all different practice areas. One chambers representative at the Pupillage Fair last year said: ‘It’s really important to meet people who are going to come to our chambers in the future. We want to be able to explain to them what the day to day looks like, what it looks like to get pupillage and become a tenant’.
You’ll also be able to meet all the Inns, education and training facilitators, specialist Bar associations, and the Circuits and representatives from communities and networks that provide support and guidance to barristers throughout their careers. You can also find out about funding opportunities and chat with organisations committed to supporting diversity at the Bar.
Whatever question you have, however big or small, there’ll be someone at the pupillage fairs who can answer it.
At the pupillage fairs, not only can you network, you’ll also be able to get advice on your CV and applications. If you bring a hard copy of your CV or application form to the Pupillage Fair, you can discuss it with an experienced, practising barrister during a 10-minute one-to-one session. They’ll give you feedback and tips on how you may be able to improve it. One previous attendee said: ‘I was able to give my CV to a barrister, who happened to actually be in the practice area that I’m interested in, so it was beyond amazing!’
By attending the Bar Council’s ‘Life at the Bar’ webinars in the week leading up to the Pupillage Fair and sitting in on the seminars on the day of both pupillage fairs, you’ll hear barristers share their candid experiences, bringing a career as a barrister and the journey to becoming one to life in ways you won’t find in textbooks.
At both the Pupillage Fair and Pupillage Fair North, you can discuss opportunities with representatives from a wide range of pupillage providers and get practical advice from experienced barristers on pupillage applications, interviews, and your future career. You’ll get exposure to the Bar you won’t get anywhere else.
Three top tips to make the most of pupillage fairs
The Bar Council's 2026 Pupillage Fair takes place in London on Saturday 17 October 2026. Secure your place and book your free ticket here.
Pupillage Fair North 2026 takes place on Saturday 21 November 2026 at Leeds Beckett University. Places are limited, so register early to secure your place and take the next step towards a rewarding career at the Bar. The booking page includes a video of last year's event. Pupillage Fair North is organised by the North Eastern and Northern Circuits and is supported by the Bar Council.
91767d2f-d2b8-4ead-9f82-08d02de56932.jpg?sfvrsn=8c2c0d49_1){kind=logo}
If you’re thinking about a career at the Bar and want to know how to pursue it successfully, pupillage fairs are the place to find out. The Bar Council’s Pupillage Fair in London is the largest recruitment fair run by the Bar, for the Bar of the future with more than 100 exhibitors attending. Here’s why you should come along or head to Manchester for the Pupillage Fair North, organised by the Northern Circuit and North Eastern Circuit and supported by the Bar Council.
At the pupillage fairs, everyone you need to meet is under one roof. You’ll have the opportunity to talk to people who do the work you’re interested in, with chambers and employers from all different practice areas. One chambers representative at the Pupillage Fair last year said: ‘It’s really important to meet people who are going to come to our chambers in the future. We want to be able to explain to them what the day to day looks like, what it looks like to get pupillage and become a tenant’.
You’ll also be able to meet all the Inns, education and training facilitators, specialist Bar associations, and the Circuits and representatives from communities and networks that provide support and guidance to barristers throughout their careers. You can also find out about funding opportunities and chat with organisations committed to supporting diversity at the Bar.
Whatever question you have, however big or small, there’ll be someone at the pupillage fairs who can answer it.
At the pupillage fairs, not only can you network, you’ll also be able to get advice on your CV and applications. If you bring a hard copy of your CV or application form to the Pupillage Fair, you can discuss it with an experienced, practising barrister during a 10-minute one-to-one session. They’ll give you feedback and tips on how you may be able to improve it. One previous attendee said: ‘I was able to give my CV to a barrister, who happened to actually be in the practice area that I’m interested in, so it was beyond amazing!’
By attending the Bar Council’s ‘Life at the Bar’ webinars in the week leading up to the Pupillage Fair and sitting in on the seminars on the day of both pupillage fairs, you’ll hear barristers share their candid experiences, bringing a career as a barrister and the journey to becoming one to life in ways you won’t find in textbooks.
At both the Pupillage Fair and Pupillage Fair North, you can discuss opportunities with representatives from a wide range of pupillage providers and get practical advice from experienced barristers on pupillage applications, interviews, and your future career. You’ll get exposure to the Bar you won’t get anywhere else.
Three top tips to make the most of pupillage fairs
The Bar Council's 2026 Pupillage Fair takes place in London on Saturday 17 October 2026. Secure your place and book your free ticket here.
Pupillage Fair North 2026 takes place on Saturday 21 November 2026 at Leeds Beckett University. Places are limited, so register early to secure your place and take the next step towards a rewarding career at the Bar. The booking page includes a video of last year's event. Pupillage Fair North is organised by the North Eastern and Northern Circuits and is supported by the Bar Council.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
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
Developing a tech start-up demands a different definition of excellence to the Bar, says Saara Idelbi. The co-creator of Advocatr on entrepreneurship, AI advocacy training, and matching the thrill of a killer cross-examination
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
