Mini-pupillage
Applications

Mini-pupillage applications are accepted twice a year: between 20 May and 20 June and between 20 November and 20 December.

Applications are to be made in the form of a cover letter (no longer than one A4 page) and a CV (no longer than two A4 pages). Your cover letter should explain why you wish to undertake a mini-pupillage at Trinity Chambers and are best suited for the opportunity as well as indicating any preferred practice areas. Applications should be sent electronically to mini.pupil@trinitychambers.co.uk.

Unfortunately, owing to demand we cannot guarantee a mini-pupillage to all those who apply. The number of mini-pupillages we are able to offer each year is between 20 to 24.

• To evidence academic excellence it would generally be expected that the following information is provided:
  
  a) First year undergraduates:
      - GCSE and A-Level marks and any available first year marks.
  
  b) Second, third- and fourth-year undergraduates:
      - Undergraduate degree marks to date.
  
  c) Postgraduate students:
      - Undergraduate degree classification;
      - Postgraduate marks to date if enrolled on a taught PG;
      - Postgraduate degree classification if degree is completed.
  
  d) No university degree or recent academic qualifications:
     - Evidence of academic capability through written work, work completed in the course of a career
  (for example: written reports, presentations, data collation/interpretation etc) or similar.
  
  e) Those with a lower mark than is believed to be representative of their capabilities may provide information on special circumstances in the form of a single paragraph (no longer than one page) appended to their CV.

• Applicants ought to include evidence of their commitment to a career in law. This could include but is not limited to: past mini-pupillages, marshalling, work experience, vacation schemes, involvement in law related programmes/lectures/courses/societies etc, independent study etc.
  
  
• Applicants ought to include evidence of extra-curricular achievements. This can include a wide variety of extra-curricular activities which need not be law related/based.

If a mini-pupil requires reasonable adjustments either in respect of their mini-pupillage in general or in respect of the written assessment, notice of this should be given upon offer of a mini-pupillage.

Mini-pupillages are based out of our Newcastle Chambers and all applications and offers are based on the presumption that the mini-pupillage will operate out of our Newcastle Chambers. Mini-pupils may indicate a preference to be based out of our Leeds Chambers and, in so far as possible, this will be accommodated but cannot be guaranteed.

Cancellations of mini-pupillages should be made as soon as possible. Please be aware that mini-pupillages will only be rescheduled for good reasons.

A three-day mini-pupillage designed to give students a taste of life at the Bar. This may involve travelling to Court with members of Chambers, observing hearings, sitting in on conferences, listening to negotiations, and reading case papers.

A single piece of written work to be completed during the course of the mini-pupillage. This will be kept on file and assessed upon future pupillage applications in accordance with Chambers’ pupillage policy.

Mini-pupils may be asked to assist the barristers by taking notes or undertaking research and they will have the opportunity to have more general discussions with counsel.

Mini-pupils may be asked to arrange their own travel to local Court centres. Chambers does not offer (re)payment for any travel expenses.

Mini-pupils will generally be shown as wide a variety of work as possible. If a preference is expressed in any particular practice area(s) this will be taken into account, in so far as practicable, when allocating mini-pupils to members, though the nature of the work observed cannot be guaranteed. It may be that mini-pupils follow a variety of different barristers over the three days.

Trinity Chambers abides by its equality and diversity policies and this applies equally to mini-pupillage applications.

There is no necessary preparation required prior to undertaking a mini-pupillage at Trinity Chambers however, mini-pupils will be expected to:

• Arrive promptly at our Newcastle based Chambers before 9:00am on the first day of their mini-pupillage and report to reception. The finish time of each mini-pupillage varies widely.
• Be appropriately dressed in Court attire: dark suits (with ties for men) and dark shoes.
• Confirm their attendance the week before their allocated mini-pupillage date when contacted.
• Behave with respect and consideration during the entirety of their mini-pupillage.

It is condition of undertaking a mini-pupillage at Trinity Chambers that all mini-pupils will:

• Sign a confidentiality undertaking which will be sent electronically with the offer of a mini-pupillage and must be completed and returned electronically prior to commencement.
• Refrain from, under any circumstances, offering advice to any person and/or expressing any opinion either in Court, during conferences, or during negotiations unless specifically invited to do so by a member of Chambers.