Mini Pupillage 2026 (Autumn Round)
Mini-pupillage at Serle Court is designed to be an enjoyable and useful experience for individuals who have completed, at least, the first year of a law degree or one term of the GDL.
Our mini-pupils attend an Open Day, which takes the following format:
- Breakfast in Chambers, meeting some barristers, our Head of People and EDI and at least one of the practice managers
- The morning will be spent shadowing a barrister in their regular working day
- Lunch with members of Chambers
- An advocacy demonstration from members of Chambers
- A closing talk from the Chair of our Pupillage Committee or other senior member
Mini-pupillages are not formally assessed, and are not a requirement for an application for pupillage, though prospective pupils are of course welcome to apply.
We offer around 30 mini-pupillages via two application rounds (in autumn and spring) each year. Please note that we receive many more applications than we can accommodate.
Those who are intending to apply in the 2026 pupillage cycle for a pupillage starting in October 2027, should apply by 31 August 2025.
If you are applying for pupillage starting later than October 2027, please apply in the 2026 spring round when the application window opens.
Three of our mini-pupillages in the autumn round are reserved for applicants from groups that are underrepresented at the bar. You are eligible to apply for a reserved mini-pupillage if the majority of your secondary (post 11) education was not at a fee-paying school and:
- You are black, or of mixed black heritage; or
- Neither of your parents went to university; or
- You are currently in receipt of state benefits other than child benefit, or the income in your household for at least 3 years of your secondary education came from or was materially supplemented by state benefits other than child benefit; or
- You are currently classified as having no recourse to public funds, or your household for at least 3 years of your secondary education was classified as having no recourse to public funds (with ‘no recourse to public funds’ bearing the meaning set out in s.115 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999); or
- You were ever eligible for free school meals; or
- You have been in care; or
- You have caring responsibilities or had caring responsibilities at any time during your secondary education or while you were at university; or
- You have refugee status.
You must indicate in your application form that your application is for a reserved mini-pupillage.
If you need further assistance, do email us at pupillage@serlecourt.co.uk
Application deadline:
Sunday, 31 August 2025 at 22:59 (UTC)
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