Pupillage Gateway to begin three months earlier

The Pupillage Gateway timetable is to be brought forward following calls from chambers and students wary of being saddled with hefty student debts before securing pupillage.

The move will see the gateway run from January to April in 2017 allowing pupillage hopefuls to discover the outcome of their applications before committing to the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), which can cost up to £18,500.

Currently the gateway, which allows barristers' chambers to advertise and recruit pupils, runs from the end of April - the closing date of the application stage - to August when acceptance of offers takes place.

The decision to amend the timetable was made based on 126 responses, including 45 chambers, to a Bar Council consultation, with the majority supporting the change.

Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, chairman of the Bar, said: 'This is a common-sense decision by the Bar and students. However, this was never going to be about simply changing the date of gateway.

'The Bar Council has an ongoing and crucial role to play in supporting students and pupillage providers.'

The Bar Council acknowledged that some respondents to the consultation would face challenges with the new timetable but was committed to working with them to overcome any difficulties.

'We intend to learn from the experience of those chambers who are already recruiting earlier in the year and will work with our members to make the move work for them,' added Doerries.