Mini-Pupillage policy
1 Overview
Alongside the firm’s other work experience opportunities, we offer a number of funded mini-pupillages to give you the experience of working as an employed barrister in a national law firm.
We offer mini-pupillages in the firm’s regional UK offices – Birmingham, Exeter, Manchester and Nottingham.
Barristers at Browne Jacobson specialise in regulatory and public law, in the fields of health, education and social work, as well as on behalf of major insurers. We are instructed to prosecute on behalf of national regulators and briefed to conduct high profile inquests for health organisations and government bodies.
The mini-pupillage programme is designed to give you a taste of the life of the employed barrister. It does not form part of the assessment process for either pupillage or trainee solicitor pathway and whilst you will undertake some assessed advocacy tasks and receive some informal feedback it is not an assessed mini-pupillage.
For 2023 we aim to offer mini-pupillages in the weeks commencing 3rd, 10th, 17th and 23rd July 2023.
2 Eligibility
Due to the sensitive nature of the work which we do, we cannot accept applications for mini-pupillage from anybody under the age of 18. The firm offers work experience to those below this age, however, the requirements of courts and tribunals in some cases limit who can observe hearings and we do not wish to have mini-pupils unable to fully engage in the scheme for this reason.
3 Applications
The closing date for the 2023 mini-pupillage scheme is 9 June 2023.
To apply send your CV and covering letter indicating your preferred office to recruitment@brownejacobson.com.
Your application will be considered in accordance with the below criteria. Each application is marked ‘blind’ (with references to name, age, gender and university (if applicable) removed).
You will be notified in writing whether or not your application has been successful. If you have not been successful, you are welcome to apply again for another date. We will not automatically roll your application onto the next period but may contact you if further work experience opportunities arise.
The mini-pupillage is open to external candidates only. Expressions of interest from internal candidates can be made by approaching the clerking team.
4 What we look for
When we consider your application we will be looking for a range of attributes which typically include:
- commitment, ambition and enthusiasm for the law and a career at the employed Bar
- knowledge of our team and an interest in our key areas of work
- initiative and the ability to work in a team
- drive and resilience, particularly the ability to adapt to setbacks
5 What we offer
As outlined above, if you are successful in your application, you will be allocated to the next work experience period as a mini-pupil. We will link you with one of our barristers who will be able to provide a more detailed idea of what your week will look like.
Mini-pupils will be allocated to one, or a small number, of our junior barristers with the aim of giving you a clear cross section of the work which we undertake. This is likely to include time in court (either in person or virtually); working side-by-side in one of our offices and an opportunity to review and discuss papers.
You will attend your allocated office (Birmingham, Exeter, Manchester or Nottingham) and work alongside your mini-pupillage supervisor. You may also visit other offices or attend remote hearings from within one of our offices as business need dictates. This will be discussed with you and any additional travel costs over and above attending your allocated office will be met by the firm.
In addition, as part of the firm’s commitment to social mobility, you will be provided with financial assistance (£250 per week) to help with travel and/or accommodation costs.
6 Review & Contact
This policy will be reviewed annually. Any queries should be directed to our recruitment team.
You may be interested in...
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Embracing space to thrive in the South West – the exciting opportunities our new Exeter home offers
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson wins brace of legal industry awards for social mobility programme
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Balancing elite sport with a career in corporate law
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
The Solicitor Apprentice: exploring alternative routes into careers in law
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Building a law firm fit for the future: A CFO’s to-do list
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Becoming O Shaped: Championing positive change
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson first law firm to join Ladder for Greater Birmingham campaign
Published Article - Careers
Neurodiversity in law firms: Thinking outside the box
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Placing inclusion at the heart of strategy: an interview with Caroline Green, Senior Partner
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Breaking through barriers to reach the bar
Opinion - Future Lawyer blog
Hints and tips to help you apply for a Solicitor Apprenticeship
Opinion - Future Lawyer blog
A day in the life of our Solicitor Apprentice Laura Morland
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Putting values into action: creating an ethical supply chain
Opinion - Future Lawyer blog
Why consider an apprenticeship over going to university?
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson health lawyer wins major accolade at Made in Manchester Awards
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
From the lab to the law: Natasha’s journey to becoming a future lawyer with Browne Jacobson
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Driving positive change through investment: a corporate associate advising in the energy sector
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
From associate to partner in an investment lifecycle - Ryan's story
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson maintains top spot in Social Mobility Employer Index 2022
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson appointed to first Social Mobility Commission Employer Advisory Group
Browne Jacobson can announce that the firm has been chosen as one of 13 UK businesses who will form the Social Mobility Commission’s (SMC) new Employer Advisory Group. The Employer Advisory Group has been put in place to drive social mobility in the workplace in the UK and support the Commission’s employer focused programme of work.Press Release - Careers
Law firm wins Franco-British Business Award for Diversity and Inclusion
UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson has won the Diversity and Inclusion Award at the 23rd Franco-British Business Awards 2022.
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Browne Jacobson helps the Civil Aviation Authority take off with its modernisation masterplan
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson partners with Forage to launch virtual work experience to improve diversity and inclusion in legal sector
Browne Jacobson has partnered with Forage, one of the world’s leading work experience platforms, to launch an interactive virtual work experience programme to open up access for aspiring young lawyers and improve diversity in the legal profession.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson barrister wins Manchester Young Talent Award
Holly Quirk, an associate barrister in Browne Jacobson’s Manchester office, was awarded the Legal Professional of the Year Award at this year’s Manchester Young Talent Awards.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson named as one of the UK’s best law firms by The Times
Browne Jacobson has been recognised as one of the UK’s leading law firms with its ranking in The Times “Best Law Firms 2023”. This is the fifth year that Browne Jacobson has been ranked.
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
From trainee to managing partner – an interview with Richard Medd
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Raising the Bar with Browne Jacobson
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Introducing our new Birmingham home - living and breathing our values through our office space
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Browne Jacobson helps Clean Power Hydrogen plc
Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Courageous conversations: turning words into action
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson double deal success at Insider Midlands Dealmakers Awards 2022
Browne Jacobson’s corporate finance lawyers are celebrating after two of its deals won major awards at the Insider Midlands Dealmakers Awards 2022.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson implements latest Real Living Wage rates with immediate effect to offset cost of living crisis
Law firm Browne Jacobson has confirmed its commitment as a Real Living Wage employer by implementing the Living Wage Foundation’s newly announced rates with immediate effect to help offset the cost of living crisis for low paid workers.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson announces 10 to its 2022 trainee solicitor scheme
Browne Jacobson has welcomed 10 future lawyers to its trainee scheme for 2022 – 2024 as it continues to grow its business. The new recruits have joined 36 trainees currently at the firm, bringing the total number of trainee solicitors at Browne Jacobson to 46 – a record number for the firm.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson strengthens its UK&I commercial practice with hire of new retail & consumer specialist partner
Browne Jacobson has bolstered its commercial practice in the UK with the appointment of commercial contracts and international trade specialist, Emma Roake, into its City-based London team.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson's private client team top Chambers High Net Worth Guide rankings again
Browne Jacobson’s private client practice has been ranked as Band One in the 2022 Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide for its work in private wealth law.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson lawyer wins inspiring Birmingham Black Lawyer Excellence Award
Bridget Tatham, a specialist defendant insurance lawyer at Browne Jacobson has been honoured at this year’s Birmingham Black Lawyer (BBL) Excellence Awards, having been named Lawyer of the Year. Bridget was also shortlisted for BBL’s Diversity Champion 2022.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson opens first overseas office with Dublin launch
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson hires seven to bolster Manchester professional indemnity practice
Browne Jacobson has expanded its Manchester professional indemnity practice by recruiting a seven person team led by Jason Nash and supported by partner Michael Appleby. Jason joined Browne Jacobson last month ahead of the other members of the team.
Press Release - Careers
Browne Jacobson announces financial results with 11% growth in revenues
Browne Jacobson has announced its financial results for 2021-22 with revenues up 11 per cent year-on-year to £94m, up from £85m. It marks the 13th consecutive year of growth with a 59 per cent increase in revenues since 2015 (£59m).
Press Release - Careers
Trainees’ vs Partners: Law firm goes green for charity cycle challenge
Today, (Thursday 16 June) 18 trainee lawyers from Browne Jacobson began the second of three planned “going green” fundraising challenges which focus on driving positive change to the environment and will raise essential funds for the firm’s charity partners.