Seven top sets of barristers’ chambers have agreed to fund pupillages that would have been otherwise cancelled due to Covid-19.
They follow in the wake of Keating Chambers, which put forward £20,000 in the summer to help fund a criminal Bar pupillage in a bid to offset the financial impact of the pandemic on the criminal bar.
The further sets that have now stepped forward are Atkin Chambers, Brick Court Chambers, Twenty Essex, Matrix Chambers, 3 Verulam Buildings, along with a group of members at Blackstone Chambers and a group of members 4 Pump Court.
Incoming chair of the Bar Council Derek Sweeting QC revealed the news in a speech last night, saying: “Because this scheme has been set up at short notice, as an emergency measure, I know there are other sets which are also likely to join.”