The Council of the Inns of Court (COIC) welcomes applications for matched funding for 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 pupillages.
The COIC Pupillage Matched Funded Scheme (PMF) helps provide additional pupillages in chambers and other approved training organisations predominantly engaged in legally aided work. Encouragingly, a growing number of chambers are applying for COIC matched funded grants.
How the scheme works
It is a prerequisite of the scheme that chambers understand that matched funded pupillages are in addition to those they would have offered in any event. COIC match pupillage funding already provided by chambers with a total grant of £12,400 for 2027-2028 London pupillages and £11,350 for 2027-2028 out of London pupillages, and £13,500 for 2028-29 London pupillages and £12,350 for 2028-29 out of London pupillages, to fund the first six months of a second pupillage. Chambers are responsible for ensuring that the total pupillage award meets the Bar Standard Board’s minimum award for the year in question.
How to apply
Applications to match fund 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 pupillages are invited between Tuesday, 1 September and Friday, 16 October 2026. Decisions will be communicated during the week commencing Monday, 2 November 2026. Online applications can be made at www.coic.org.uk/pupillage-matched-funding.
To find out more please email Hayley Dawes at COIC on hdawes@coic.org.uk
Author: Mrs Justice Lieven, Chair, COIC Pupillage Matched Funding Grants Committee
Testimonials
Castle Gate Chambers pride themselves on being communal and supportive and are keen to grow organically to ensure that they attract the best candidates who are most likely to thrive within the set.
Castle Gate Chambers is incredibly fortunate to have received support from the COIC’s Matched Funding Scheme over the last six years. That support has enabled us to invest in the future of our profession by offering high-quality pupillages year in, year out.
Castle Gate Chambers strives for excellence, with its pupillage selection process aimed at finding the Criminal Bar’s stars of tomorrow and encourage candidates who have a real sense of who they are to apply – the pupillage process, and tenancy beyond, can be demanding.
Katrina Wilson
Head of Pupillage, Castle Gate Chambers
Rose Court Chambers is a small, friendly ’boutique’ set of criminal barristers which was set up during the pandemic in early 2021. It was born out of necessity and a desire to offer a more personal service to its professional and lay clients.
The provision of matched funding by COIC offers invaluable assistance to the training of future members of the Bar. In no other area of law are there the challenges that the Criminal Bar faces and Rose Court Chambers is proud be to AETO accredited and aiming to expand the number of junior members. We are incredibly grateful to the COIC for the help offered.
As Rose Court Chambers recruits pupils for the second year running, the matched funding scheme allows us to recruit and train those from underrepresented groups and those from non-traditional backgrounds who will no doubt remain part of the Rose Court family for years to come.
Matheos Lefteris
Head of Pupillage Committee, Rose Court Chambers
