Details.
Drystone Chambers offers mini-pupillages introducing students to practice at the criminal Bar. Successful applicants spend up to one week, normally Monday to Friday, shadowing one or more barristers and observing a varied range of criminal work, primarily in the Crown Court. Mini-pupils generally attend court each day, must be prepared to travel to different court locations and arrive at the relevant court building by 09:00. Travel expenses of up to £25 per day are reimbursed. Applicants must be aged 18 or over and undertaking, or have undertaken, a degree course, the GDL or BPC. Priority is usually given to applicants undertaking, or having undertaken, a Law Degree or equivalent. Mini-pupillages are not assessed, and applicants must sign a confidentiality agreement before commencement. The 2026 application window was 5 to 31 March 2026 and is now closed. Placements take place in June and between September and November 2026, primarily at Cambridge, Ipswich, Norwich, Portsmouth and Southampton Crown Courts. No London placements are offered during 2026.