PASS: Partnering with Chambers

Since 2012, The Inner Temple has been proud to run PASS (Pegasus Access and Support Scheme) which aims to improve access to the profession and to support high achieving aspiring barristers from under-represented backgrounds by providing experiences and developing skills that will support a career at the Bar. We arrange a mini-pupillage for each participant with our partner chambers. We are deeply grateful to all of our partner chambers who accommodate our PASS Scholars for a mini-pupillage and we always welcome hearing from new chambers who would like to support the scheme.

Who do we work with on PASS?

In 2020/21 we received 153 applications and accepted 72 onto the programme which is the highest number to date. All successful applicants must attend a state non-maintained school and meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Eligible for Free School Meals when at school
• Be the first generation to attend university
• Family eligible for income support
• Care Leaver

Number and percentage of successful applicants who met each of these in 2020/21.

What do we offer?

The two main components of the PASS programme consist of:

• A mini-pupillage with one of our partner chambers
• Skills workshops and webinars designed to build confidence in relation to the profession eg mock interviews, CV workshops, Q&A panels

What’s the impact?

In 2018/19 over 80 per cent of attendees said the scheme had changed their perception of the Bar and barristers, and they now found the prospect of pursuing a career at the Bar more approachable and achievable. This figure demonstrates how vital it is to support students’ aspirations and create accessible routes into the profession. Feedback we received from scholars after their mini-pupillage solidified how significant PASS is in helping to build professional skills. Participants indicated that they felt more confident that they would be able to pursue a career at the Bar after PASS.

Case Study

We asked Douglas Wotherspoon, a former PASS scholar, to write about his experience on PASS. Since completing PASS Douglas successfully gained a BPTC scholarship from The Inner Temple and secured a pupillage at 9 Bedford Row. Of his placement he said:

Following my successful application [to PASS], I was placed on a mini-pupillage at Ely Place Chambers. I was fortunate enough to see a wide range of chambers work from sitting with a third six pupil in Shoreditch County Court to shadowing a 27 years Call senior junior at Maidstone Combined Court Centre. Notably, I attended the High Court for an injunction hearing which was reported nationally the following day. The take-away moment for me was a piece of advice imparted outside Watford Employment Tribunal which helped shape not only my undergraduate module selection but the type of set I applied to for pupillage and ultimately my future area of practice.”

How can my chambers help?

We are not able to run the PASS programme without the generous support of chambers willing to host PASS scholars for a mini-pupillage. All we ask is that you set aside a mini-pupillage place (or more than one if you can so accommodate!) and we will do the rest of the administration. There is no financial cost to being a PASS chambers.

We are particularly interested in hearing from chambers whose buildings are easily accessible to those with disabilities and those that are located on Circuit. Our PASS scholars come from all over the UK. Whilst we do cover scholars’ travel and accommodation costs, there can be many other reasons why a scholar might not easily be able to travel to London and so by increasing the number of placements we can offer on Circuit, this will help us to improve the accessibility of this programme.

We also welcome chambers who are able to provide virtual placements. Benefits for chambers include:

• Flexible approach to dates – we do not have set dates upon which PASS mini-pupillages must take place and are happy to work within your timescales. Some chambers have specific times of year they can offer placements, others particular dates – we will liaise with PASS scholars to ensure their availability matches before allocating them.
• We cover all travel and accommodation costs for PASS scholars – we know that the cost of attending a mini-pupillage can be a significant barrier for many looking to pursue a career at the Bar, but we also know that this isn’t always easy for chambers to fund. Once the placement has been confirmed we will cover the costs and administration in arranging this.
• Matching specialism to interest – We ask all of our PASS scholars to provide us with their preferences and interests regarding specialisms. This means that wherever possible we ensure that scholars who are allocated to your chambers will have a significant interest in the area of law you practise.
• Reduction in administration – The Inner Temple will take on the administration of targeting applicants, reviewing applications and allocating placements. Whilst we would never allocate a scholar without your final say so, this reduces the workload for chambers.
• Make a difference to somebody’s chances of reaching the Bar – PASS works with prospective barristers who might otherwise find it more difficult to enter the profession.

How can my chambers get involved?

If you or your chambers would like to have an informal conversation regarding becoming a partner for PASS or would like any further information please contact: pass@innertemple.org.uk