*/
Nathalie Lieven QC explains the Council of the Inns of Court’s first six funding scheme.
As readers will know this is a very hard time for chambers that rely on publicly funded work, particularly those doing crime. One of the worst consequences of the extreme financial pressure that many chambers find themselves under has been a dramatic fall in the number of pupillages available, again particularly in criminal sets reliant on public funding. Although the reduction in pupillages is wholly understandable, it makes even worse the disparity between the number of people who complete their academic training but are unable to get a pupillage, and must place in jeopardy the future of the criminal Bar.
One of the worst consequences of the extreme financial pressure that many chambers find themselves under has been a dramatic fall in the number of pupillages available, again particularly in criminal sets reliant on public funding. Although the reduction in pupillages is wholly understandable, it makes even worse the disparity between the number of people who complete their academic training but are unable to get a pupillage, and must place in jeopardy the future of the criminal Bar.
It was in the light of this situation that COIC (the Council of the Inns of Court) has set up the Pupillage Matched Funding Scheme. Each of the four Inns has contributed funds and with this money the Inns will match the first six funding for pupillages provided by chambers. It is a requirement of the Scheme that chambers undertake that the pupillages being funded are additional to those that they would have offered in any event. The individual chambers recruit the pupil or pupils as they would normally do. If they recruit any additional pupils then the first six months of the pupillage will be funded by the Scheme, up to a maximum of £6,000, per additional pupil. The grant is then paid to the chambers. The COIC Grants Committee plays no role in the recruitment of the pupils who are part funded through the Scheme.
The first round of applications was considered in December 2013 and 15 pupillages are being funded in 2014, and a further 16, so far, in 2015. COIC was very keen to get the Scheme going quickly so that at least some additional pupillages could be in place for Autumn 2014. We are hoping that this year as the Scheme gains wider publicity and understanding, more chambers will apply and more additional pupillages will be created. We do appreciate that this is to some degree a drop in the ocean of problems facing chambers reliant on public funding. However, the future of the Bar depends on recruiting good candidates at the bottom end, and keeping a flow of pupils coming into chambers. It is also very damaging to the reputation of the Bar if there is such a wide gap between those who qualify and incur major financial burdens, and those who can actually get pupillage.
The next round of applications for funding of pupillages in 2015 and 2016 will be sought by the Committee by 5.00pm on Monday 1 December 2014. For more details and to complete and submit the online application please follow the link to www.innsofcourt.org.uk. We very much hope that more chambers which meet the criteria will apply.
Mrs Justice Lieven is Chair of the COIC Pupillage Matched Funding Grants Committee.
One of the worst consequences of the extreme financial pressure that many chambers find themselves under has been a dramatic fall in the number of pupillages available, again particularly in criminal sets reliant on public funding. Although the reduction in pupillages is wholly understandable, it makes even worse the disparity between the number of people who complete their academic training but are unable to get a pupillage, and must place in jeopardy the future of the criminal Bar.
It was in the light of this situation that COIC (the Council of the Inns of Court) has set up the Pupillage Matched Funding Scheme. Each of the four Inns has contributed funds and with this money the Inns will match the first six funding for pupillages provided by chambers. It is a requirement of the Scheme that chambers undertake that the pupillages being funded are additional to those that they would have offered in any event. The individual chambers recruit the pupil or pupils as they would normally do. If they recruit any additional pupils then the first six months of the pupillage will be funded by the Scheme, up to a maximum of £6,000, per additional pupil. The grant is then paid to the chambers. The COIC Grants Committee plays no role in the recruitment of the pupils who are part funded through the Scheme.
The first round of applications was considered in December 2013 and 15 pupillages are being funded in 2014, and a further 16, so far, in 2015. COIC was very keen to get the Scheme going quickly so that at least some additional pupillages could be in place for Autumn 2014. We are hoping that this year as the Scheme gains wider publicity and understanding, more chambers will apply and more additional pupillages will be created. We do appreciate that this is to some degree a drop in the ocean of problems facing chambers reliant on public funding. However, the future of the Bar depends on recruiting good candidates at the bottom end, and keeping a flow of pupils coming into chambers. It is also very damaging to the reputation of the Bar if there is such a wide gap between those who qualify and incur major financial burdens, and those who can actually get pupillage.
The next round of applications for funding of pupillages in 2015 and 2016 will be sought by the Committee by 5.00pm on Monday 1 December 2014. For more details and to complete and submit the online application please follow the link to www.innsofcourt.org.uk. We very much hope that more chambers which meet the criteria will apply.
Nathalie Lieven QC explains the Council of the Inns of Court’s first six funding scheme.
As readers will know this is a very hard time for chambers that rely on publicly funded work, particularly those doing crime. One of the worst consequences of the extreme financial pressure that many chambers find themselves under has been a dramatic fall in the number of pupillages available, again particularly in criminal sets reliant on public funding. Although the reduction in pupillages is wholly understandable, it makes even worse the disparity between the number of people who complete their academic training but are unable to get a pupillage, and must place in jeopardy the future of the criminal Bar.
The Chair of the Bar sets out how the new government can restore the justice system
In the first of a new series, Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth considers the fundamental need for financial protection
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Possibly, but many barristers are glad he did…
Mental health charity Mind BWW has received a £500 donation from drug, alcohol and DNA testing laboratory, AlphaBiolabs as part of its Giving Back campaign
The Institute of Neurotechnology & Law is thrilled to announce its inaugural essay competition
How to navigate open source evidence in an era of deepfakes. By Professor Yvonne McDermott Rees and Professor Alexa Koenig
Brie Stevens-Hoare KC and Lyndsey de Mestre KC take a look at the difficulties women encounter during the menopause, and offer some practical tips for individuals and chambers to make things easier
Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice since January 2021, is well known for his passion for access to justice and all things digital. Perhaps less widely known is the driven personality and wanderlust that lies behind this, as Anthony Inglese CB discovers
The Chair of the Bar sets out how the new government can restore the justice system
No-one should have to live in sub-standard accommodation, says Antony Hodari Solicitors. We are tackling the problem of bad housing with a two-pronged approach and act on behalf of tenants in both the civil and criminal courts
-(1)-(002).tmb-carlisting79eb.png){kind=logo}
