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Bridging the Bar (BTB) is a charity that aims to support aspiring barristers from a range of statistically underrepresented groups at the Bar. The BTB Mini-Pupillage Pilot Scheme launched in December 2020. By completing just one application, aspiring barristers could be considered for a mini-pupillage by over 60 leading chambers across the country. The pilot scheme received over 450 applications and has since organised over 130 mini-pupillages for BTB candidates.
For a scheme that is centred around improving diversity, this is a somewhat difficult question to answer in that there is no cookie cutter ‘ideal candidate’ that BTB looks for. However, before relaunching this scheme in the upcoming academic year, BTB will be publishing a marking criteria to ensure that applicants know exactly what standard they need to meet.
BTB are aiming to implement feedback gained from the pilot scheme and although the mark scheme is still being finalised, we are able to give an insight into what might be expected from our marking criteria.
Applicants are likely to be asked to answer a small number of questions which aim to identify those with a demonstrable interest in the Bar, the ability to persuade others and strong written communication skills. Applicants will also pick up points for their academic record, albeit those marking applications will not be aware of the university that any applicant attended.
BTB candidates, regardless of whether their application is successful, are each provided with feedback on their applications. BTB asks those marking applications to provide positive and constructive feedback on each application. At BTB, we believe that constructive feedback – uncommon in pupillage applications – is central to an applicant’s growth and development. We hope that in the coming years, this becomes more widespread across the profession.
Shortlisted candidates are sifted according to their preferred practice area and can then be chosen by or assigned to one – or several – of our partner sets of chambers. We make the introduction and then encourage the applicant to reach out to chambers directly to finalise the details regarding their mini-pupillage.
BTB recognises the significant value of feedback to aspiring barristers throughout the process. For all mini-pupillages offered on the BTB scheme, BTB requires chambers to provide mini-pupils with some form of written work to complete. Chambers are then asked to provide feedback on this written task. We hope that this serves to ensure that mini-pupillages remain substantive opportunities for learning.
Proofread your work and ask others to proofread it for you! This is your shop window, your chance to shine! Any spelling or grammatical errors can come across as lazy and could cost you crucial marks.
Read the mark scheme properly and ensure that you are answering the question you have been asked, rather than the question you would have liked to have been asked. Put yourself in the position of the marker – how many marks could you objectively award your application?
The BTB Mini-Pupillage scheme will be launching in September 2021.
For any chambers wishing to join the scheme, expressions of interest are welcomed to: applications@bridgingthebar.org
Students who have not already signed up as a BTB candidate can do so on our website.
Once signed up, you will be added to our mailing list and notified when our different schemes and opportunities open throughout the year.
Update: Since this article was published in 2021, BTB has launched The BTB Academy which provides 100 BTB Candidates with access to multiple programmes and training opportunities over the course of an academic year after being selected through a single application process.
Mass Ndow-Njie is a barrister at 7BR. Prior to this, he was a barrister in the Government Legal Department, and his pupillage included a six-month stint at Blackstone Chambers. Mass is the Founder and Chair of Bridging the Bar.
Bridging the Bar (BTB) is a charity that aims to support aspiring barristers from a range of statistically underrepresented groups at the Bar. The BTB Mini-Pupillage Pilot Scheme launched in December 2020. By completing just one application, aspiring barristers could be considered for a mini-pupillage by over 60 leading chambers across the country. The pilot scheme received over 450 applications and has since organised over 130 mini-pupillages for BTB candidates.
For a scheme that is centred around improving diversity, this is a somewhat difficult question to answer in that there is no cookie cutter ‘ideal candidate’ that BTB looks for. However, before relaunching this scheme in the upcoming academic year, BTB will be publishing a marking criteria to ensure that applicants know exactly what standard they need to meet.
BTB are aiming to implement feedback gained from the pilot scheme and although the mark scheme is still being finalised, we are able to give an insight into what might be expected from our marking criteria.
Applicants are likely to be asked to answer a small number of questions which aim to identify those with a demonstrable interest in the Bar, the ability to persuade others and strong written communication skills. Applicants will also pick up points for their academic record, albeit those marking applications will not be aware of the university that any applicant attended.
BTB candidates, regardless of whether their application is successful, are each provided with feedback on their applications. BTB asks those marking applications to provide positive and constructive feedback on each application. At BTB, we believe that constructive feedback – uncommon in pupillage applications – is central to an applicant’s growth and development. We hope that in the coming years, this becomes more widespread across the profession.
Shortlisted candidates are sifted according to their preferred practice area and can then be chosen by or assigned to one – or several – of our partner sets of chambers. We make the introduction and then encourage the applicant to reach out to chambers directly to finalise the details regarding their mini-pupillage.
BTB recognises the significant value of feedback to aspiring barristers throughout the process. For all mini-pupillages offered on the BTB scheme, BTB requires chambers to provide mini-pupils with some form of written work to complete. Chambers are then asked to provide feedback on this written task. We hope that this serves to ensure that mini-pupillages remain substantive opportunities for learning.
Proofread your work and ask others to proofread it for you! This is your shop window, your chance to shine! Any spelling or grammatical errors can come across as lazy and could cost you crucial marks.
Read the mark scheme properly and ensure that you are answering the question you have been asked, rather than the question you would have liked to have been asked. Put yourself in the position of the marker – how many marks could you objectively award your application?
The BTB Mini-Pupillage scheme will be launching in September 2021.
For any chambers wishing to join the scheme, expressions of interest are welcomed to: applications@bridgingthebar.org
Students who have not already signed up as a BTB candidate can do so on our website.
Once signed up, you will be added to our mailing list and notified when our different schemes and opportunities open throughout the year.
Update: Since this article was published in 2021, BTB has launched The BTB Academy which provides 100 BTB Candidates with access to multiple programmes and training opportunities over the course of an academic year after being selected through a single application process.
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