Pupils

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. Do pupils require a practising certificate to be authorised to practise?
• 2. I have just completed pupillage and am now in employment. There is no one suitable to be my 'qualified person'. Can I be authorised to practise?

1. Do pupils require a practising certificate to be authorised to practise?

Pupils in their non-practising period of pupillage or other forms of work-based learning do not need to be authorised to practise, as they are not entitled to do anything that constitutes practice as a barrister.

Pupil barristers in their practising period of pupillage or other forms or work-based learning need to have a provisional practising certificate. However, by submitting a satisfactorily completed certificate of completion or exemption from the non-practising period of pupillage or other forms of work-based learning and registering a practising period they will be issued with a provisional practising certificate, which will be valid for the duration of the practising period. 

Once pupillage has been completed and you have satisfactorily submitted your details to confirm completion, you will be sent details about how to change your status to a practising or unregistered barrister, depending on whether you are practising as a barrister.
 

2. I have just completed pupillage and am now in employment. There is no one suitable to be my 'qualified person'. Can I be authorised to practise?

You can be authorised to practise. However, you will not be entitled to supply legal services to the public (e.g. to clients of your employer), exercise any rights of audience or conduct litigation.