Mini-Pupillage

Chambers is delighted to offer mini pupillages via a range of initiatives, all of which are aimed at improving access at the Bar

As part of 5 Essex Chambers’ commitment to widening access to the Bar, we work with a number of partners to provide mini-pupillages and work experience. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate mini-pupillages outside of these schemes. Please see below a list of our partners and their websites, where you can find details on how and when to apply:

1. Inner Temple’s ‘Pegasus Access and Support Scheme’ (“PASS”). This scheme is aimed at high-achieving students from under-represented backgrounds. If you would like to sign-up, please look on Inner Temple’s website – available here: https://www.innertemple.org.uk/becoming-a-barrister/how-to-get-involved/pass/
2. Middle Temple’s ‘Access to the Bar Award’, which provides a mini-pupillage and marshalling experience to excellent candidates from under-represented backgrounds. If you are interested, the relevant section of Middle Temple’s website is here: https://www.middletemple.org.uk/becoming-barrister/access-bar-award
3. 10000 Interns Foundation: https://10000internsfoundation.com/our-programmes/
4. The Bar Council’s Bar Placement Scheme, which provides an opportunity to sixth formers to spend time in chambers: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/becoming-a-barrister/school-students/bar-placement-scheme.html

Inside Five

In addition, Chambers hosts ‘Inside Five’, a series of insight evenings for prospective applicants, scheduled around the Bar Council’s Pupillage Gateway timetable. These sessions will include presentations from senior members of our pupillage committee, junior junior practitioners to give a perspective of early years’ practice, and a session on tips and tricks for pupillage applications, followed by Q&A.

Inside 5 will return in December 2025-January 2026. Please check back on this page for updates, or to receive a reminder please subscribe to our pupillage mailing list here.

Human Rights Lawyers’ Association’s (HRLA) Bursary Scheme

As part of our efforts to increase access to the Bar, 5 Essex are delighted to offer mini-pupillages via the Human Rights Lawyers’ Association’s (HRLA) Bursary Scheme.

The Scheme enables talented individuals to take part in fully-funded placements at leading human rights organisations, including 5 Essex.

The placements are as follows:

• 5 Essex Chambers mini-pupillages, each lasting 5 days: On flexible dates to be decided between Chambers and the applicant. Around 5 mini-pupillages are available.
• JUSTICE 8-week placement: Commencing on 5^th January 2025.
• JUSTICE 8-week placement: Commencing in March 2025 (precise date tbc).

Applications have now closed. If you have any questions about your application, please contact administrator@hrla.org.uk.

The award policy (which explains the nature of the scheme and the assessment criteria applied to ensure fair recruitment) can be found here.

The scheme is particularly focused on those who would not otherwise be able to undertake a placement due to their financial circumstances.