Pupillage Supervisor Training
BSB-required training for barristers supervising pupils. Covers regulatory requirements, structured supervision, effective feedback, diversity, and pupil wellbeing.
Duration
1.5 Hours
Lessons
20
CPD Hours
1.5
Certificate
On Completion
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Six practical outcomes from this training
Understand the BSB's mandatory requirements for pupillage supervision and how they shape your role
Plan a structured pupillage programme that develops advocacy skills and builds confidence
Deliver effective feedback that helps pupils learn from experience and improve their performance
Recognise unacceptable conduct as a supervisor and understand the consequences of breaches
Support diversity and inclusion throughout the pupillage, creating a welcoming environment for all pupils
Recognise pupil wellbeing concerns and signpost to support, protecting both the pupil and your chambers
About this training
The BSB requires all pupil supervisors to complete training before taking on a pupil, with refresher training required every five years. This is not a box-ticking exercise. Good supervision shapes whether a pupil succeeds at the Bar, and sets the tone for a healthy and inclusive chambers culture.
This training covers what the BSB requires, but more importantly, what effective supervision actually looks like in practice. It covers planning the pupillage, developing advocacy skills, giving feedback that sticks, supporting diversity, recognising wellbeing issues, and managing the real situations that arise during pupillage.
The course is designed for supervisors new to the role, but also for experienced supervisors refreshing their knowledge and understanding recent changes to BSB requirements. You will hear directly from pupils and supervisors about what works and what does not.
To date, barristers from more than 70 sets of chambers avail of this training.
Key topics
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1
The role of a pupil supervisor
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2
BSB requirements for pupillage supervision
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3
Ground rules of effective supervision
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4
Planning the pupillage programme
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5
Developing pupil advocacy skills
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6
Giving effective feedback
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7
Unacceptable conduct as a supervisor
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8
Supporting diversity and inclusion in pupillage
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9
Pupil wellbeing and development
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10
Real-life scenarios at the Bar
What learners say
“This training provided a plethora of information. I particularly liked the key points highlighted for each section as well as where I needed to go for further information. The feedback from actual pupils was also helpful and demonstrated the impact that a bad pupillage experience can have on the pupil, but also highlighted how much more likely the pupil was to succeed at the Bar if taught well and with high standards.”
Frequently asked questions
The BSB requires all supervisors to complete approved training before supervising a pupil, with refresher training every three to five years. Supervisors must also plan and supervise a structured pupillage, provide regular feedback, maintain appropriate professional boundaries, support pupil wellbeing, and keep records of supervision. This training covers each of these requirements and what compliance looks like in practice.
If a pupil is not achieving the outcomes expected by the BSB, the supervisor must identify the gap, work with the pupil to develop a plan to bridge it, and document the process. Failure to address underperformance is a breach of supervisory duty. This training covers how to give constructive feedback, recognise when a pupil is struggling, and escalate concerns to chambers management when necessary. Supervision requires active engagement, not passive observation.
The BSB Handbook sets limits on how many pupils a supervisor can oversee simultaneously. You can supervise a maximum of two pupils in the same period, with specific exceptions only where the pupil is being co-supervised. Many chambers operate stricter policies. This training covers the regulatory limits and the practical realities of supervision workload. Quality supervision requires time and attention.
Unacceptable conduct by supervisors includes: discrimination or harassment of a pupil, failure to provide the required training and experience, sexual harassment or abuse of power, failure to respect a pupil's protected characteristics, and knowingly failing to supervise at all. The Bar has cases where supervisors have breached these boundaries, with serious consequences for both the supervisor and the chambers. This training covers what the BSB expects and the professional boundaries you must maintain.
Refresher training is required every three to five years. If you have not supervised a pupil in the last three years, you will be required to undertake training before supervising another pupil. This training can serve as that refresher and will provide documentation for compliance purposes. The refresher ensures you remain current with any changes to BSB requirements, best practice in pupil development, and emerging issues in chambers supervision.
Supervisors must support diversity and create an inclusive pupillage environment. This means being aware of unconscious bias, making reasonable adjustments for pupils with disabilities or other needs, ensuring work is distributed fairly, and addressing discrimination if it occurs. Your role is to create a culture where all pupils can flourish. This training covers practical steps to support inclusion and recognise when intervention is needed.
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Related services
Briefed offers advisory, audit, and policy services alongside training. If your chambers needs support beyond eLearning, we can help.