Mini-Pupillage

A mini-pupillage (or ‘mini’) is similar to work experience or an internship.  Through our interactive one-day scheme we aim to give you as full an experience of Chambers and the work we do as possible.

A mini-pupillage is the best way for potential pupillage applicants to find out more about what a pupillage with us would be like, make a realistic assessment of whether they would suit a pupillage with us and whether we would suit them. 

We strongly encourage applicants for pupillage to undertake a mini-pupillage with us if they can. However, we accept that not everyone can do a mini-pupillage with us, and we will consider pupillage applications from and do not discriminate against those who have not done one.

Please note that an offer of a mini-pupillage at 39 Essex provides no guarantee of an offer of a first-round pupillage interview.

In general, you should not apply to us before the final year of your studies to complete the academic component of your training for the Bar. This means that as of 31 October in the year you are applying, you will have:

1. Completed a UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate law degree, qualifying law degree or conversion course; or
2. Started the final year of a UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate law degree, qualifying law degree or conversion course (this may be the first and only year in the case of a full-time conversion course).

If you are not in one of the categories set out above (for example, if you are a first or second-year undergraduate) but wish to undertake a mini-pupillage with us before your final year (and bearing in mind our prioritisation of candidates about to apply for pupillage), you will need to provide a good reason for why we should consider making an exception in your case in the ‘eligibility’ section of the Mini-Pupillage Application Form.

More information about the academic component of Bar training can be found in Part 2 of the Bar Qualification Manual, available here.

This year 39 Essex is running a one-day scheme with lots of opportunities to meet members, staff, and take part in interactive activities. An indicative timetable is provided at the top of this page. 

We wish to recruit the strongest candidates for pupillage, regardless of their background. We do not discriminate between those with law degrees and those with non-law degrees. We welcome applications from those coming to the Bar later in their careers.

39 Essex Chambers is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Our culture is open and supportive, and we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.  We encourage and welcome applications from people of the global majority, those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, women and candidates from groups which are under-represented in the legal sector.  

We apply the following criteria, which are the same as are used for assessment of pupillage applications: 

1. Intellectual ability.
2. Expressive ability (both written and oral). 
3. Interpersonal skills. 
4. Commitment, resilience and efficiency. 
5. Interest in one or more areas of law in which 39 Essex Chambers specialises. 

39 Essex Chambers wishes to attract the very best candidates to attend its mini-pupillage days irrespective of their financial background. We recognise that attending mini-pupillages can involve a considerable outlay, in particular for those travelling from outside of London.

39 Essex Chambers will therefore provide to its mini-pupils:

1. reimbursement of reasonable expenses for travel (standard class) upon production of receipts up to a maximum of £150;
2. where required, hotel expenses up to a maximum of £250 (although mini-pupils are encouraged to make other arrangements if possible). 

If mini-pupils require hotel accommodation they are asked to let the Mini-Pupillage Committee know in advance in order that Chambers can assist by providing information on affordable hotel options.

In terms of process, mini-pupils are asked to send their receipts to mini.pupillage@39essex.com along with details of the UK bank account into which they wish to be reimbursed.

Applications for our 2024-2025 mini-pupillage scheme are no longer being accepted and will not be considered. If you wish to apply for next year’s scheme, please check this website for updates from Summer 2025. 

You will need to download our Mini-Pupillage Application Form, complete it and email it to us together with a completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Questionnaire (which is optional) to minipupillage@39essex.com. You should receive an automatic confirmation of safe receipt.

Please do not send CVs, covering letters or transcripts of examination results as they will not be considered.

• Mini-Pupillage Application Form
• Equal Opportunities Monitoring Questionnaire

Please note we only consider mini-pupillage applications when applications are open. If the application window has closed, please monitor the website for the next mini-pupillage application window.

We work with a range of external partners that provide work experience or mini-pupillage opportunities, including Bridging the Bar, The Sutton Trust and 10,000 Black Interns. You can find out more about these opportunities on our Social Responsibility page.

Candidates can either receive a mini-pupillage through our application process or via the Bridging the Bar scheme but may not undertake a second mini-pupillage with us in one year by virtue of using both routes. Candidates are directed to Bridging the Bar’s website for further details.

We hope this webpage has answered your questions about mini-pupillage at 39 Essex Chambers. If you have any other questions, please email mini.pupillage@39essex.com. 

We will retain personal data you send us only for the purpose of assessing your application for mini-pupillage and, if offered a mini-pupillage, administering your mini-pupillage and receiving feedback from you; we retain your diversity data to allow for statistical analysis.

We will delete the application data we hold about you three years after completing our annual mini-pupillage programme. We summarise diversity data in a redacted form that cannot be attributed to individuals. You can find a copy of our privacy policy here.