6KBW College Hill has 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 have been extremely impressed by the quality of the candidates who have attended the course since it began in 2022. Many have gone on to receive pupillage offers and we have no doubt that they will go on to have excellent careers at the Bar. The written materials that accompanied the course have also been distributed by BTB to a number of other candidates who did not attend the course itself. Chambers is very pleased that, to date, they have been downloaded by at least 358 BTB candidates who attended a state school for the entirety of their schooling.
6KBW College Hill is delighted that our course has now been expanded as part of the advocacy training component of the BTB Academy, an outstanding initiative created by BTB. As part of the BTB Academy, a number of other sets of chambers from a variety of practice areas have all undertaken to provide advocacy training of their own. 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, plea 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 covered 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 two three-hour teaching sessions held on designated Saturdays in November/December (precise dates to be confirmed).
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 Academy candidate.
BTB is responsible for allocating candidates to one of the various interview training courses on offer.
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.
