Mini-pupillage

Covid-19 update: Serle Court will offer in-person mini-pupillages wherever possible from 26 January 2022. We will be in touch with mini-pupils shortly before their scheduled mini-pupillages. Applicants are invited to apply as normal.

We encourage prospective pupils to undertake a mini-pupillage with us though this is not a prerequisite for pupillage.

Mini-pupillage at Serle Court is designed to be an enjoyable and useful experience. Our mini-pupils experience various aspects of life as a practising barrister, which may include court work, conferences and paperwork. Mini-pupillage is also a valuable opportunity to experience at first hand our informal and friendly atmosphere. Mini-pupillages last for one day and are not assessed.

We offer about 30 mini-pupillages each year to individuals who have completed the first year of a law degree or at least one term of the GDL or equivalent. These are available all year, but the two months leading up to our pupillage application deadline in January are particularly busy. We therefore ask that applicants who have already completed at least one year of a law degree or one term of the GDL prior to that period apply earlier if possible (although this is not a strict requirement). We will reimburse the reasonable travel costs of mini-pupils.  We will also consider covering accommodation costs for those who would need to travel more than 2 hours each way and could not otherwise afford to come to London.  Please state in your application whether you are seeking accommodation costs.

Lincoln's Inn have recently launched a 'Mini-Pupillage Grant Scheme' which also offers financial assistance to students who have secured a mini-pupillage but need additional funds to complete it. More details including all of the application criteria and application form can be found here. 

We want you to feel comfortable during your time with us.  Please wear a suit if that would be your preference, although many members of chambers do not do so unless they are meeting clients or in court.  Alternatively, smart casual clothes are also acceptable. 

Reserved mini-pupillages

3 of our mini-pupillages are reserved for applicants from groups that are underrepresented at the bar. You are eligible to apply for a reserved mini-pupillage if you went to a state secondary school and:

• Neither of your parents went to university; or
• Anyone in your immediate family has received state benefits at any point; or
• You were ever eligible for free school meals; or
• You have been in care; or
• You have caring responsibilities; or
• You have refugee status

Applications have closed for this year’s reserved mini-pupillage scheme. You must indicate in your covering letter or email that your application is for a reserved mini-pupillage. Otherwise the application process is the same as above, and you will be considered for an unreserved mini-pupillage even if you do not secure a reserved mini-pupillage. You may apply for a reserved mini-pupillage whether or not you have ever applied for an unreserved mini-pupillage.

Recipients of reserved mini-pupillages will be guaranteed a first-round interview should they apply for pupillage in the recruitment cycle immediately following their mini-pupillage offer.

We particularly encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+, ethnic minorities, and disabled candidates.

If you would like to apply, please download our application form here or contact us for a hard copy. Applications should be posted to April Fisher, Mini-pupillage administrator or emailed to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

If you need further assistance, do call us or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).