Mini Pupillage at 9KBW

9 KBW MINI PUPILLAGE RECRUITMENT AND POLICY 2026/2027

Our Mini-Pupillage Programme application window for April 2025 to March 2026 is now closed.
The next application window is now open, with a deadline for applications of July 31st 2026. 30
places are available from April 1st 2026 to March 31st 2027
For applicants interested in applying for a placement during the 2026/2027 scheme, our policy and
arrangements are set out below.

INTRODUCTION

This Policy sets out 9 KBW’s recruitment and application process as well as our criteria for scoring
applications, from applicants who wish to undertake a mini pupillage with our Chambers from April
2026 to March 2027
We have offered mini pupillages for over 20 years at 9 KBW and we see them as not only an
important opportunity for anyone considering life at the Bar, but also for Chambers to demonstrate
how we can offer a very high standard of pupillage to prospective future pupillage applicants, when
the time comes.
We offered places during the 2025/106 placement period to mini-pupils from highly diverse socio
and economic, age range, cultural and ethnic, gender and educational backgrounds. We welcome
applications from students with a disability who can request reasonable adjustments that will allow
them to have the same experience during a mini pupillage as all other applicants. One of our most
important aims is to make this programme open to as wide an audience as we possibly can, and we
actively encourage and promote our mini pupillage programme to those in protected groups.

NUMBER OF MINI PUPILLAGES

Between the period April 1st 2026 and March 31st 2027, Chambers will be offering up to 30 mini
pupillages, throughout the year, each for a period of five days.

MINI PUPILLAGE WITH 9KBW: WHAT DO WE OFFER?

A mini pupillage with 9KBW will offer the opportunity of attending criminal courts, with Counsel, in
or around the London area, to observe hearings of all types, including preliminary hearings, short
applications, legal argument, guilty pleas and effective trials.

Mini pupils may also be offered the opportunity to attend Regulatory Tribunals and on occasions
Extradition hearings in the Magistrates Court and the High Court.
During a mini pupillage the applicant may be asked to assist with research, read and analyse the
papers in a case, attend to observe a conference or be given such tasks as assisting Counsel in
preparing bundles for instance.
We also encourage our mini pupils to talk to our clerking team for an insight into the career
opportunities for a member of the Bar, what the financial position may be for those just starting out
and for any other general information that may be of benefit to applicants.

FUNDING

Mini-pupillages are not funded and we do not pay for travel or other expenses.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Only students who have commenced or already completed a full-time higher or further education
course are eligible to apply.
Preference will be given to those in either the final or penultimate year of their degree course.
Those students undertaking a law degree are particularly encouraged to apply as we feel that they
would most benefit from a mini-pupillage
we regret that we do not offer any work experience scheme or mini-pupillages for children currently
at secondary school. All applicants must be aged 18 or over.
Any applicant must be able to live and work in the UK

Mini-pupillages are currently not formally assessed. However that position will be reviewed as
Chambers moves through the process to become an 8Authorised Training and Education Authority.
Applications for mini-pupillage should be made by way of CV setting out previous academic and
work history, and a letter of application in which the applicant addresses the following;

Why they are applying to 9 KBW in particular.
What areas of law they are interested in.
Details of any other achievement that demonstrates an applicant’s non-academic skill or ability
Details of experience in Mooting or Debating
Which year they are in at University
If taking a non-law degree, the application must specify that they plan to pursue a career at the Bar.
Dates of availability, for a five day consecutive period, throughout 2024 (excluding the Xmas and New Year period)
Confirmation that they are authorised to live and work in the UK

The application window will be open from January 5th 2026 and applications for 2026/2027 can be
made up to July 31st 2026 when the window for 2026/27 applications will close. A new window for
applications for April 2027 to March 2028 will open in January 2027.

Applications should be emailed to Christine Eadie

SELECTION PROCESS

A candidate’s application will be reviewed by two Members of the Chambers, who form the Mini
Pupillage Selection Panel for 9 KBW. One of the panel members is also one of the Joint Heads of
Chambers. The panel will review the application and will assess whether the application meets
Chambers criteria.
Successful applicants will be informed of the decision, given a date for the mini-pupillage and a copy
of Chambers Handbook for Mini Pupils, which provides detailed information about Chambers, our
members and policies and information that applicants will need, whilst undertaking a mini-pupillage
with us.
If the selection team agree that the application does not satisfy the criteria, then the application is
rejected and the applicant informed accordingly.
If the Members do not agree on selection, then the application is referred to a third Member of
Chambers, who is a member of the Pupillage Committee, for a casting decision.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Our basic criteria for selecting mini-pupils are similar to that for selecting pupils, namely academic as
well as non-academic achievements, evidence of written skills as demonstrated within their
application, and commitment to a career at the Bar
The selection team will be looking for;

A well written application
That the applicant demonstrates an understanding in their application of how Chambers operates and in which areas of law
An applicant who is a student candidate who is studying law at University OR
A student candidate who is undertaking a non-law degree, but intends to practice in law.

OIC ROADSHOW – MOCK TRIAL EXPERIENCE AS A JUROR

9 King’s Bench Walk invites prospective pupillage applicants and those considering a career at the
Criminal Bar to act as jurors in a mock trial in the Crown Court sitting at Wood Green.
In 2014 Robyn Murdo-Smith, a retired police Sergeant, joined 9 KBW as a tenant and part of our
team of criminal law specialists.
He established the Officer in the Case (OIC) Roadshow, in which 9 King’s Bench Walk works with the
Metropolitan Police to give police officers a clear insight into what advocates require when
defenda2nts are charged and the case proceeds to trial.
This has developed over time into a series of lectures, the details of which are on the ‘9KBW OFFICER
IN THE CASE (OIC) TRAINING’ section of the website, and a mock Crown Court trial which allows
officers to gain experience giving live evidence.
The trial is both prosecuted and defended by members of 9 King’s Bench Walk, with a senior
member of Chambers acting as Judge.
This unique opportunity offers a first-hand view of Crown Court advocacy, in particular witness
handling, and insight into the minds of jurors—particularly helpful for when barristers begin their
own practice.
The mock trial will be followed by a question-and-answer session with members of Chambers on life
at the criminal Bar, what 9KBW can offer, and the pupillage application process more broadly.
Applications are welcome from undergraduate students, students currently undertaking the
academic component of the Call to the Bar, and prospective pupillage applicants. All applicants must
be over 18 years of age.
To apply click HERE to download the application form, which you should complete and return to
christine@9kbw.com
The Mock Trials will take place during early 2026 and the dates will be finalised shortly and added to
this page. Applicants will be notified if they have been selected to take part and given details of the
time and venue.
We welcome and encourage applications from those in groups that may currently be under-
represented at the Bar and particularly welcome those for whom the Bar, or law in any area, may
not be their first career.

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT, DATA PROTECTION AND COMPLIANCE WITH GDPR REGULATIONS

Chambers full Privacy Notice and Policy can be found in the footer
All individual members have their own Privacy Notice available for download at the top of their
profile page.
Mini Pupils should read and familiarise themselves with both Chambers Privacy Notice and Policy
prior to commencement of their time with 9KBW.

Each mini-pupil will be asked to sign a document setting out that they have read and understood the
terms of 9 KBW policy and their responsibilities in respect of Confidentiality of Information, Data
Sharing and any other related matters of confidentiality.
A copy of a confidentiality agreement will be sent to each mini-pupil on acceptance of a place with
9KBW and should be signed and Emailed to Christine Eadie. A hard copy should be signed and given
to the clerks on commencement of mini-pupillage.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Chambers is fully committed to the principles of fair recruitment, for any and all applicants for
positions at 9KBW, in whatever capacity.
Our policies and principles are compliant with Equality, Diversity and Inclusion legislation, the Bar
Council’s Fair Recruitment Guide and the Bar Standards Handbook Rules
Chambers barristers and staff will not discriminate, or victimise directly or indirectly, in relation to
any other person, because of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, citizenship, sex,
sexual orientation, marital status, disability, religion or political persuasion.
We would ask that applicants for mini-pupillage complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Monitoring Form by clicking the link HERE. It is not a requirement 2that any applicant completes a
Monitoring Form but we encourage you to do so in order to assist us in assessing the effectiveness
of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policies, through annual analysis of the data, and to assess
whether we need to take any particular action to further promote equality in our recruitment and
selection processes.

REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS

Where requested Chambers will always do our utmost to make whatever reasonable adjustments
we can, to ensure that our mini pupillage process is an option for as many candidates as possible. By
way of example but not limited to, those applicants who have a disability may be assisted by the
clerks by ensuring that special attention is paid to checking that there is suitable public transport or
parking availability at for courts where the mini pupil is to shadow counsel. Or applicants who may
have caring responsibilities which require them to have a placement that consists of a flexible
staggered number of days over a period of time rather than a consecutive five day period. A
disability or caring responsibility does not preclude anyone from applying to us. We can make the
requested adjustments, to fit in with the timetable that the mini-pupil needs to work to if attending
court, research can usually be undertaken remotely and mini pupils can join hearings, that are via
CVP, from their homes.
Although Chambers itself is not wheelchair accessible, we can offer mini pupillages to those
applicants requiring wheelchair access, by arranging for mini pupils to attend court directly, or to
meet Counsel or staff in other wheelchair accessible venues, rather than having to come to
Chambers premises.

If you would like a copy of Chambers Reasonable Adjustments Policy, please Email Christine Eadie on
christine@9kbw.com and a copy will be provided to you.

LINCOLN’S INN MINI-PUPILLAGE GRANT SCHEME

The mini-pupillage grant scheme offers financial support to students wishing to undertake mini-
pupillages who would otherwise not be able to do so. Grants are intended to assist with the costs of
travel and accommodation as well as a clothing allowance if needed. The value of each grant is
calculated based on the applicant’s anticipated expenses up to a maximum of £500.
Eligibility - Applications are welcomed from prospective and current student members of the Inn.
Applicants must be studying or have completed a qualifying law degree or GDL and must not be a
member of another Inn. Applicants must have attended a state school or a private school with the
help of a means tested scholarship and meet one or more of the criteria specified on the website.
For full details go to https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/becoming-a-barrister/funding/

HANDBOOK AND OTHER DOCUMENTS

All successful applicants will be provided with a copy of Chambers Handbook for Mini-Pupils and a
copy of our Mini Pupillage Policy. There will also be other documents provided relating to our
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and other EDI related policies. Policies are also available on
request, if this will assist when considering whether to make an application.

Full details of what previous mini pupils have said about their experience can be found on our
Testimonials page under the Recruitment heading of this website.
If any further information is required please Email Christine@9kbw.com