For Providers

Welcome

What the Pupillage Gateway can do

In addition to using the system to advertise, AETOs can also use the Pupillage Gateway to manage the recruitment of pupil barristers.

The Pupillage Gateway offers relevant chambers and other pupillage providers a modern and cost-effective way to manage their end-to-end respective recruitment processes, with numerous features designed to ease the associated administrative burden.

The AETO User Guide (PDF, 5.6MB) gives further details about the functions of the system.

What is the Pupillage Gateway?

Delivered in conjunction with Tribepad, the Pupillage Gateway is a simple Applicant Tracking System (ATS), tailored by the Bar Council to meet the needs of Authorised Education and Training Organisations (AETOs) throughout the pupillage recruitment process.

The Pupillage Gateway is the online application system for pupillage. Under the Bar Standards Board Bar Qualification Manual, it must be used by all AETOs to advertise any vacancies for pupillage.

Benefits and features

The Pupillage Gateway is a simple ATS, tailored by the Bar Council to meet the needs of AETOs throughout the pupillage recruitment process.

The system offers relevant chambers and other pupillage providers a modern and cost-effective way to manage their end-to-end respective recruitment processes, with numerous benefits and features designed to ease the associated administrative burden.

Key features of the Pupillage Gateway for AETOs:

Upload documents and video content to the platform, improving both the quality of their advertisements and of the information that they provide to prospective applicants.
Create up to seven bespoke applicant questions, and set their own character limits.

Option to anonymise application forms - removing all personal information, and the names and locations of any academic institutions attended.
See a clear overview of every stage of the recruitment process, including the ability to download candidates’ details in bulk, and to review their unique application history.
Send as PDFs your preferred version of the applications forms.
Access editable, prepopulated, email templates created by the Bar Council and specifically designed to support the recruitment processes of AETOs.
Schedule interviews through the Pupillage Gateway and invite candidates to attend them at specific times or select their own from the range made available to them by the Recruitment Administrator.
View a variety of live anonymised and aggregated reports, including relating to equal opportunities monitoring data, through the new Insights platform add-on.

The system is fully compliant with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act. Read more in the system Terms and Conditions.

Sign up

Prices for AETOs

For just £1100 per annum plus VAT, AETOs can use the Pupillage Gateway’s centralised ATS to advertise pupillage vacancies and manage the recruitment process. Discounts are available to Annual Chambers Management Package subscribers.
To run multiple recruitment processes through the Pupillage Gateway in any given year, an administrative fee of £100 plus VAT per additional vacancy will be applied.

Arrange a virtual demonstration of the system

Email the Bar Council Services team at [email protected].

Sign up to use the Pupillage Gateway

Email the Bar Council Services Team at [email protected] to request the creation of one or more user accounts.

Advertise pupillage vacancies

Under the Bar Standards Board Bar Qualification Manual, all AETOs are required to advertise any vacancies for pupillage on the Pupillage Gateway.

It is optional to use the Pupillage Gateway to manage the recruitment procress of pupil barristers.

To advertise vacancies for pupillage:

Complete a Vacancy Information Form (Word, 153KB)
Return it to [email protected], in accordance with the dates set out in the mandatory recruitment timetable

How to use the Pupillage Gateway

AETO user guide

Download the easy-to-follow AETO User Guide (PDF) to navigate around the system.

Raise any enquiries with Bar Council Services team at [email protected], or on 020 7611 1321.

User documents for applicants:

Applicant User Guide (PDF, 3.6MB)
Sample Application Form (Word, 166KB)

Timetable

Outlining the key stages for AETOs when using the Pupillage Gateway application system.

Monday 28 October 2024

AETO advertisement and account set-up on the Gateway: AETOs must start registering their accounts and submitting advertisements for approval.

Friday 22 November 2024 , 12:00(pm)

Deadline for uploading advertisements to the Gateway: AETOs must have registered their accounts, and/or submitted their advertisements for approval, before midday on Friday 22 November.

Monday 25 November 2024 , 12:01(am)

Publication of advertisements: Applicants may access the Pupillage Gateway to browse vacancies.

Thursday 02 January 2025 , 11:00(am)

Applications open: the submissions window for applications opens and applicants can start, edit, and submit their applications.

AETOs that use the Pupillage Gateway to manage their respective recruitment processes will not have access to the applications until the submissions window closes.

Thursday 06 February 2025 , 11:59(pm)

Applications close: the submissions window for applications closes and no further applications or amendments to applications are allowed.

Friday 07 February 2025

Shortlisting of applications made outside of the Gateway: AETOs not using the Pupillage Gateway can begin to assess applications and acknowledge receipt. They can also begin to sift through applications, shortlist applicants and conduct interviews from this date.

Tuesday 11 February 2025

Publication of Gateway applications to Authorised and Education Training Organisations: AETOs using the Pupillage Gateway to administer their recruitment process will be able to download candidate applications and begin the shortlisting and interview process from this date at the latest.

They may be able to access their applications on Friday 7 February 2025, pending the approval of the Bar Council’s Director of Services.

Friday 09 May 2025 , 09:30(am)

Offers made: AETOs will make offers either through the Gateway system, by phone, or by email. All offers will be made on the same day at the same time.

AETOs are not able to make offers to applicants in advance of this date. They must not make informal or indicative offers in advance.

Friday 16 May 2025 , 09:30(am)

Deadline for accepting initial offers: All applicants have a 7-day deadline to communicate acceptance of an offer (if any). Applicants will be able to accept an offer anytime up to the deadline.

If an AETO’s offer is declined by an applicant within the 7-day deadline, then they may immediately make a second round offer.

If the 7-day deadline passes without the applicant accepting the offer, AETOs should send out second round offers within a reasonable time period.