Bridging The Bar

Upon creating a profile, BTB applicants will have the opportunity to apply for a range of schemes. Ultimately, our programmes have been curated to address every stage of the application process – from the point at which candidates are thinking about a career at the Bar, to the actual pupillage application rounds.

We welcome feedback from Chambers and potential candidates as to what more we can do to help, but hope that this overview provides a solid foundation for any aspiring barristers from underrepresented backgrounds.

Mini-Pupillage

BTB candidates will have the chance to apply to our bespoke mini pupillage programme, which will fast track them into a mini pupillage at one of our leading partner sets. They will get hands-on experience of life in chambers, observing cases on key issues and getting insight and guidance from practicing barristers on how to cultivate their careers.

Applications for the BTB mini pupillage scheme are now closed.

Mentorship

BTB candidates will benefit from our broad network of mentors, who represent a cross section of the Bar; both in terms of practice areas, and in terms of employed/self-employed careers. Mentors are at different stages of their journey at the Bar and generously volunteer their time to guide our candidates through the application process for pupillage and beyond.

Catch up on our Mentoring Scheme Launch event with speakers Mary Prior QC, our Founder Mass Ndow-Njie and Camila Ferraro , Beth Hibbert, Christa Richmond, Daisy Mortimer, Charlie Taylor and Neel Rokad. The event took place in October 2020. Thank you to Emma Hughes and Will Marsden for putting the Mentoring Scheme together and organising this event.

Alternative Work Experience

Bridging the Bar is proud to announce its collaboration with the Law Commission to bring you a five day paid internship. The programme is open to any of our BTB candidates who have completed at least two years of legal studies.

Details about the programme, the application procedure and the mark scheme can be found here. Applications are now closed.

BTB are working on creating partnerships with other stellar organisations to provide our candidates with opportunities for alternative work experience. Whether BTB candidates have secured pupillage and need ideas on what to do with their year out, or are building their profiles in preparation for pupillage applications, BTB is committed to giving them the widest experience possible to prepare them for their career goals.

Skills & Education

BTB are working in partnership with chambers, Inns, and other trusts and organisations to create skills-based workshops. These will ultimately assist our candidates with their advocacy skills, interview preparation, and research tools. BTB plan to offer a mix of interactive and lecture/seminar-based workshops, and are looking to implement a subsidiary mooting scheme in the near future for Bar, GLD, and final year undergraduate law students.

Wellbeing

Life at the Bar and the application process can be tough. BTB are planning to work with pioneers in their fields to deliver workshops on the management of mental health, and tips for persevering in the face of application rounds that may not go the way candidates expect.

Judicial Internships

Bridging the Bar is proud to announce its collaboration with the UK Supreme Court to bring you the Court’s first ever work experience programme. This programme is open to any of our BTB candidates who have completed or secured a place on the BPTC.

Details about the programme, the application procedure, questions and the mark scheme can be found here. Applications for the 2021 cycle are now closed.