The Ministry of Justice has pledged £1.5 million annually to fund up to 100 new pupillages in legally aided criminal law, in a move to support the next generation of criminal barristers.
The funding is part of a partnership with the Council of the Inns of Court, which has its own scheme to support pupillages in chambers engaged in predominantly legally aided work since 2014. This existing scheme has been successful, with the number of pupillages it supports growing from 14 in 2014 to 33 as of 2023, demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted funding in increasing opportunities for aspiring barristers.
The new initiative will focus on the criminal bar and provide funding for selected chambers to offer additional pupillages, building on the foundation established by the Council of the Inns of Court’s broader scheme. By concentrating investment in this area, the partnership aims to make a significant impact on the criminal bar, enhancing its ability to uphold the rule of law and deliver justice.
Eligibility and Funding
Chambers that receive funding will be required to consider incorporating equal opportunity measures into their recruitment processes and provide data to aid with monitoring and evaluation of the funding. This emphasis on equal opportunities reflects the importance of ensuring that the legal profession is representative of the society it serves, and that individuals from all backgrounds have the chance to pursue a career in law.
The Council of the Inns of Court and the Ministry of Justice will match funding of £12,400 for the first six months of pupillages in London and £11,350 outside London, with these figures rising to £13,500 and £12,350 respectively for the following year. Chambers will then be responsible for ensuring total awards meet the Bar Standards Board’s minimum award for the year in question, which is currently £25,863 in London and £23,504 elsewhere. It’s worth noting that some top commercial and tax sets offer awards that can reach up to £100,000, highlighting the variation in funding available across different areas of law.
Impact on the Criminal Bar
The joint plan will bring a concentrated investment to support three times the number of pupillages currently funded by the Council of the Inns of Court’s broader scheme, which grew to support 33 pupillages as of 2023. This significant increase in funding will help to address the need for more criminal barristers, who play a key role in the justice system.
This development is expected to have a significant impact on the criminal bar, as it will help train the next generation of criminal barristers who are essential to upholding the rule of law and delivering swifter justice for victims. In practice, this initiative will mean that more individuals from diverse backgrounds will have the opportunity to pursue a career in criminal law, which can help ensure that the justice system is more representative of the society it serves.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the funding will not be given for pupillages that chambers would have offered in any event, ensuring that the investment has a tangible impact on the number of new pupillages available. This approach will help to increase the overall number of pupillages, rather than simply replacing existing funding.
They expect this funding to increase the number of new barristers, which will in turn help to strengthen the criminal bar and improve the delivery of justice. The initiative’s focus on supporting the next generation of criminal barristers reflects the importance of this area of law in upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of individuals.
