7KBW offers a combination of intellectually stimulating work across all fields of commercial law and a friendly, supportive environment for pupillage and tenancy. We recognise that mini-pupillages are a valuable way for prospective applicants to experience what life and practice in 7KBW are like and to break down barriers to entry to the Bar.
We encourage any individual who wishes to find out more about a career at the Commercial Bar and at 7KBW in particular to apply for a mini-pupillage.
What to expect
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, mini-pupillages are currently being held virtually.
Your mini-pupillage will take place over one day. You will meet via video call a junior barrister from 7KBW, who will give you a commercial law case or legal problem to read and discuss together. You will also meet a more senior barrister (either a Queen’s Counsel or a senior junior) and a senior clerk, to give a broader insight into the opportunities legal practice at 7KBW offers.
Mini-pupillages at 7KBW are not assessed. They are an opportunity for you to find out about us. It is not essential that you apply for a mini-pupillage before applying for pupillage, but we strongly encourage you to do so.
We will resume in-person mini-pupillages when it is safe to do so, in line with Government guidance on office working.
What we're looking for
We assess applications for mini-pupillage by the same criteria as pupillage applications are assessed. We are looking for candidates whose applications demonstrate strong analytical and intellectual abilities, determination and resilience, and clear potential as advocates. There is no single way to demonstrate these qualities: we welcome anyone, regardless of background, who is interested in, and has the potential to succeed at, the Commercial Bar.
When you come to apply for mini-pupillage, you should be studying for, or should already have, a university degree. We welcome applications from both law and non-law undergraduates; non-law graduates doing, or about to do, a graduate degree or conversion course in law; transferring solicitors and foreign lawyers; and law graduates in other professions.
When to apply
We have three rounds of mini-pupillages:
- For those wishing to complete a mini-pupillage between 1 January and 30 April, applications should be made by 1 December in the preceding year.
- For those wishing to complete a mini-pupillage between 1 May and 31 July, applications should be made by 1 March.
- For those wishing to complete a mini-pupillage between 1 September and 14 December, applications should be made by 1 July.
Applications in each round are reviewed together at the end of the period.
In our experience, demand is usually greatest for the application round between 1 January and 30 April, which coincides with the Pupillage Gateway applications window.
