The Ministry of Justice has launched a scheme providing up to £1.5 million a year for as many as 100 additional criminal Bar pupillages across England and Wales. The funding is intended to support training places that would not otherwise be available and to strengthen the junior end of the Criminal Bar at a time of sustained pressure on the criminal justice system.
The scheme builds on the Council of the Inns of Court’s existing pupillage match-funding programme. Chambers receiving funding will be expected to incorporate equal opportunity measures into their recruitment practices through targeted outreach and steps to increase representation in the profession.