Almost 30% fewer pupillages are available to young barristers this year than were on offer just three years ago, leaving an increasing number of Bar Vocational Course (BVC) graduates chasing an evershrinking pool of training positions at the UK Bar.

According to the latest projections compiled by the Bar Council, the number of pupillages for 2003-04 dropped to a record low of 600, compared with a figure of 853 in 2000-01.