Becoming a Barrister

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Eligibility

We aim to select participants who will be fully committed to taking part in PASS.
We will assess applications on the basis of the quality of the completed application form, the context of the achievements and the references supplied.

Stage 1 – Minimum criteria

Are you eligible for PASS? Are you eligible for PASS?

Have not started the Bar Course when PASS commences. PASS is for undergraduates, GDL students and career changers who have not started the Bar Course.

Have not started the Bar Course when PASS commences. PASS is for undergraduates, GDL students and career changers who have not started the Bar Course.

You have attended a state school between the ages of 11-18 or for the majority of that period.

You have attended a state school between the ages of 11-18 or for the majority of that period.

On track or achieved a minimum of a 2:1 or above?

 

On track or achieved a minimum of a 2:1 or above?

 

Have a lived experience of one or more of the following?

Have a lived experience of one or more of the following?

Lived experience

Parental experience of higher education: The candidate is the first generation to access higher education in their family.

 

 

Maintenance: While at school, the candidate’s parents were in receipt of either income support or housing benefits or they themselves are in receipt of income or housing benefits.

 

Free School Meals: whether the candidate at some point received Free School Meals

 

Care Leavers: The candidate was in care at any point in their schooling. A care leaver is someone who has been in the care of the Local Authority for a period of 13 weeks or more spanning their 16th birthday.

 

School Area: Preference is given to those students who have attended schools with a low attainment and progression to higher education.

If you answer yes to the above, then you meet the eligibility of PASS and will be invited to take part in the second stage of the application process.

Stage 2 - Demonstrating your strengths 

Once you have met the eligibility criteria for PASS, your application will be assessed based on the strengths needed to be successful on the scheme. These have been based on the skills need to be successful in completing pupillage:

We believe on PASS that there are four key strengths that you need to successful and gain the most from the experience.

These are:

  • Understanding of the core elements of the Pegasus Access and Support Scheme
  • Team work
  • Effective prioritisation of time
  • Research and written presentation of work

During the application process you need to demonstrate these strengths by clearly showing the following:

  • You clearly understand how PASS could support you, including understanding the key elements of the scheme
  • Provided one example of team work to deliver an outcome
  • Have provided an example of a time when you have had to manage your own time to meet a deadline
  • You speak with clarity, accuracy and precision
  • Exercise good English Language skills

Stage 3 – COMBAR scholarship: 

If you’re applying for the COMBAR scholarship then you must also show the following strength:

  • An interest in the needs of commercial business

This can be demonstrated by:

  • Show an interest in the needs of commercial business through research, reading, studying or experience (including student societies). We want you to show a strength for understanding the needs of a commercial business.

 

Is Preference given to anyone? 

Preference for PASS is given to students who have participated in the following programmes:

  • Inner Temple Schools Project
  • Pathways to Law
  • Social Mobility Foundation
  • Warwick Multicultural Scholars Programme
  • Black Lawyers Directory Legal Launch Pad
  • Urban Lawyers

Participants in one of the above programmes must also meet the eligibility for PASS.

If you have not previously participated in any of the above programmes but believe that you meet the criteria for PASS, we would welcome your application.

Good things to know. 

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Membership Applicants do not need to join the Inn before making an application or during participation on the scheme.
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Please apply We encourage applications from mature applicants, BAME applicants, LGBT+ applicants and applicants with disabilities.