6KBW College Hill is delighted to have partnered with Bridging the Bar (BTB) in developing an advocacy course for candidates of exceptional ability who are from backgrounds currently underrepresented at the Bar. The course aims to help level the playing field in the pupillage application process by equipping candidates with the skills, knowledge and confidence required to succeed at interview.
We were extremely impressed by the quality of the candidates who attended the course in its first year, all of whom we believe will have highly successful careers at the Bar. Four out of the six candidates who took part received at least one offer of pupillage in the 2021-22 cycle.
The written materials that accompanied the course were subsequently provided to BTB to distribute to their candidates. Chambers is pleased that, to date, they have been downloaded by 358 BTB candidates who attended a state school for the entirety of their schooling.
We are very excited that our course will now be expanded as part of the advocacy training component of the BTB Academy, an outstanding new initiative from BTB. A number of other sets of chambers from a variety of practice areas have all undertaken to provide advocacy training of their own. We will also run our course next year as part of the BTB Academy. For more information on the BTB Academy, click here.
What does the 6KBW College Hill & BTB course involve?
Our course covers some of the key advocacy tasks that are assessed at pupillage interviews, with a particular focus on bail applications, pleas in mitigation and statutory interpretation. Candidates are given an opportunity to practice their advocacy and receive feedback on their performance. Members of Chambers will also provide advocacy demonstrations to give candidates an idea of how an advocacy exercise might be approached. Teaching is provided by barristers in Chambers, and candidates are encouraged to ask any questions they may have about the pupillage process and the Bar generally.
The material provided by the course is general in nature and no information is provided which would confer an unfair advantage on candidates for the purposes of Chambers’ own recruitment process.
When and where does the course take place?
The course consists of four three-hour teaching sessions held on consecutive Saturdays in February/March (precise dates to be confirmed). We aim to time the course to run within the period after the Pupillage Gateway has closed but before the majority of interviews begin.
The sessions take place at 6KBW College Hill. Chambers will cover reasonable travel costs in full, including those of candidates travelling from outside London.
How can I gain a place on next year’s course?
To be eligible for a place on the course you must be:
- a BTB candidate
- participating in the BTB Academy
- applying for pupillage in the coming academic year
For the BTB Academy application form and full details of the application process, eligibility and selection criteria, please click here.
All applications should be made through BTB.
The window for applications opens on 1st August 2022 and closes on 26th August 2022.
