Government-backed programme will create up to 100 additional pupillages each year as ministers seek to widen access to the legal profession and tackle Crown Court delays.
The Government is committing £1.5 million a year to expand training opportunities for aspiring criminal barristers, in a move designed to strengthen the future of England and Wales’ criminal justice system.
Under the new programme, announced on 1 September, up to 100 additional pupillages will be funded every year. The places will give trainee barristers the practical courtroom experience and professional supervision required before they can qualify and practise independently.
Ministers say the initiative is intended not only to increase the number of young advocates entering the criminal Bar, but also to remove some of the financial and structural barriers that can prevent talented candidates from pursuing a career in law.
The scheme will particularly focus on widening access to the profession, with chambers receiving government support expected to introduce measures aimed at improving equality of opportunity and attracting candidates from a broader range of backgrounds.
Sarah Sackman KC MP, Minister for Courts and Legal Services, said entering the Bar had been a significant moment in her own career and argued that similar opportunities should be available to talented people regardless of their background or where they live.
She said criminal barristers play an essential role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring victims can obtain justice without unnecessary delays.
The investment comes at a critical time for the criminal justice system, which continues to face pressure from a substantial Crown Court backlog and shortages of experienced legal professionals.
By increasing the number of junior criminal barristers entering the profession, the Government hopes to establish a stronger pipeline of advocates capable of supporting the courts in the years ahead.
The legal sector is also a major contributor to the wider UK economy, generating more than £42 billion annually. Ministers argue that ensuring the profession has access to a steady supply of highly trained talent will support both the justice system and broader economic growth.
The new initiative builds on the Council of the Inns of Court's existing pupillage match-funding programme. Government money will be used to create training positions that would otherwise not be available, providing additional opportunities across England and Wales.
The Criminal Bar Association welcomed the announcement, describing it as an important step towards developing a stronger and more diverse criminal Bar.
Its leadership noted that much of the training and mentoring received by pupil barristers is provided by practising members of the profession who volunteer their time. The additional government funding is expected to reinforce that work while supporting efforts to recruit candidates from the widest possible pool.
The Bar Council also welcomed the programme, saying it had advocated additional funding for criminal pupillages since 2024.
Bar Council Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC said expanding the number of training places was necessary to rebuild the long-term supply of junior criminal barristers. A stronger workforce, she argued, would ultimately benefit complainants, witnesses and defendants by helping courts reduce delays.
The Government's plans also form part of a wider programme aimed at increasing employment and training opportunities for young people, alongside proposed reforms to apprenticeships and the introduction of a Job Guarantee.
For the legal profession, however, the immediate priority is rebuilding the criminal Bar and ensuring that a new generation of advocates is ready to take on cases as demand for court services continues to grow.
The Lord Chancellor has identified reducing the Crown Court backlog as one of his central priorities. The Government believes that expanding the pool of trained criminal barristers will be an important part of delivering faster justice for victims while maintaining the quality and independence of legal representation.
With up to 100 additional pupillages available each year, ministers hope the programme will open the door to a wider generation of aspiring barristers while providing the criminal courts with a stronger foundation for the future. Photo by KenWalker, Wikimedia commons.
