Atkin Chambers to fund a criminal bar pupillage adversely affected by Covid-19

UPDATE – 2 FEBRUARY 2021

Following the launch in December 2020 of the Criminal Pupillage Funding Scheme, Atkin Chambers is pleased to announce that it will be providing the funding for a criminal pupillage starting in September 2021.

“We have agreed with a set which applied to the scheme that we will provide funding for a pupillage that would otherwise not have been offered this year. The set concerned is currently seeking applications through the Pupillage Gateway and the successful pupil will receive the funds in the autumn,” according to Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, Atkin Chambers’ Head of Chambers.

The Criminal Pupillage Funding Scheme was devised in recognition of the challenges caused by Covid-19 and the impact on the recruitment and training of pupil barristers in publicly funded areas of the Bar.  Several commercial sets, including Atkin Chambers, will be providing funding for a pupillage that would otherwise have been postponed or cancelled because of the effect of Covid-related court closures on some barristers’ sets this year.

Applications for all pupillage places being offered in 2021 by the Bar for commencement in September 2021 or 2022 close at 11am on Monday 8 February. Applications should be made via the Bar Council Pupillage Gateway.

For further details on the Criminal Pupillage Funding Scheme please click here.

Coverage of the launch:

• https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/commercial-chambers-to-pay-for-criminal-pupillages-/5106800.article
• https://www.thelawyer.com/criminal-pupillage-funding-2020/

ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT – 15 DECEMBER 2020

Recognising the challenges caused by Covid-19 and the impact on the recruitment and training of pupil barristers in publicly funded areas of the Bar, the members of Atkin Chambers will be providing funding for a pupillage for an aspiring criminal barrister in 2021/2022. The pupillage funded will either have been postponed or cancelled because of the effect of Covid-related court closures on some barristers’ sets this year.

Atkin Chambers joins seven other sets in supporting what is being called the Criminal Pupillage Funding Scheme.

Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, Atkin Chambers’ Head of Chambers and a former Chairman of the Bar of England and Wales, commented: “It is essential that we continue to train a new cohort of aspiring barristers each year to ensure the future of a strong and independent Bar. The Criminal Bar has been particularly hit by the impact of Covid and consequent court closures. The members of Atkin Chambers were keen to offer support in a way that provides a tangible investment in the future of the Criminal Bar.”

Atkin Chambers is a leading set of commercial barristers with an international reputation for providing advocacy and advice on cases concerning construction, engineering, and infrastructure project development.

In September the Bar Standards Board published its report on the impact of Covid-19 on pupillage highlighting emerging evidence that suggested the biggest impact will be on pupillages that are in areas of law most affected by court closures, especially criminal and family, with an impact anticipated on the number of future pupillages available in 2020 to 2022 as the knock-on effect of changes being made now affects future decisions.

Applications for the scheme should apply to the Bar Council in the first instance. Further details and the application form to apply are available by clicking here.

The application deadline is 10am on 22 December 2020.