News

Daniel Benedyk successfully represents the Bar Standards Board in a challenge against pupillage requirements

Daniel Benedyk successfully represented the Bar Standards Board (BSB) in the High Court, in a claim brought by an aspiring barrister for exemption from the pupillage requirements.

The case concerned a statutory appeal against the BSB's refusal to exempt Mr Ekperigin from the non-practising first six months of pupillage. Mr Ekperigin sought an exemption based on his experience as an employed lawyer at HB Public Law.

In dismissing the appeal, Mr Justice Holman emphasised the importance of close proximity between pupil and pupil supervisor during the first six months. Whilst recognising a continued "acute shortage" of pupillage places, Holman J concluded that Mr Ekperigin could not demonstrate the element of scrutiny contemplated by shadowing a supervisor and that the BSB's decision was "wholly justifiable and right".

Please see links below for press coverage:

[Times]

[Legal Cheek]

[Legal Futures]