Figures compiled by the Bar Council show a steady decline in the number of pupil-lages offered by barristers’ chambers, but there is as yet little sign of the sharp fall predicted before the introduction of the £10,000 minimum funding that chambers must guarantee to pupils.
The number of pupillages offered fell from 853 in 2000-2001 to 739 in 2002-2003, a drop of a little over 13%. However, as the requirement to fund pupillages did not take effect until January 2003, the first year of pupillages to be directly affected are those starting in October 2003 – statistics for which are not yet available.
