New Pro Bono Guide for Pupils & Supervisors

As many pupils begin their second six this April, we are delighted to announce the publication of a new guide called ‘Pro Bono: A guide for Pupils and Supervisors’. We have published this guide alongside the Bar Council, the Bar Standards Board, the Free Representation Unit and the Council of the Inns of Court.

Read the guide here.

The guide gives a helpful overview for pupils and supervisors looking to “give back” and gain valuable additional experience through pro bono work. It outlines the many ways in which pupils can do this during pupillage, from assisting their supervisor with a pro bono case, through to undertaking pro bono work directly during their second-six.

For example, the guide shares about how supervisors can approach taking on a pro bono case where pupils can shadow them, as well as the ways that pupils can get involved in pro bono work through Advocate once they have their provisional practising certificate in order to be able to provide advice and representation to our Applicants in need.

Be it the reward of helping those in desperate need of assistance, to getting the additional support of experienced barristers and developing your advocacy experience, there are huge benefits to pupils in their second-six in signing up with Advocate.

Pupil Pledge

Advocate also runs the Pupil Pledge initiative, which is specifically aimed at pupils wanting to take on pro bono work in their second six.

The Pledge asks pupils to complete one piece of pro bono work during your second six. This work can be undertaken through Advocate or any other pro bono scheme or organisation. In return, you will be sent a Pupil Pledge logo for your email signature and Chambers profile and a shout-out on our social media pages (X and LinkedIn).

Undertaking pro bono work in your second six is an excellent way to gain valuable experience, make connections, and give back to the community.

We hope you will get involved as you begin your second six!

More on the pupil pledge and how to get involved.