Exchange Chambers tackles barriers to the Bar with Inner Temple partnership
July 14, 2020
Exchange Chambers has become an official partner of the Pegasus Access and Support Scheme (PASS).
PASS was established by the Inner Temple in 2012 and supports aspiring barristers who have not yet started the BPTC.
The scheme’s aim is to improve access to the profession and to support high achieving students from under-represented backgrounds by providing the experiences they need to be able to thrive at the Bar.
PASS aims to do this by securing a mini-pupillage in chambers for each participant. It also supports participants by providing a focused professional and advocacy skills development programme.
The Inner Temple covers the associated travel and accommodation costs for PASS so that the participants can fully enjoy the mini-pupillage experience and the development programme.
The scheme is looking for candidates who have attended a UK state school and who meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Recipient of free school meals.
- First in their family to attend university.
- Have parents (s) who received income support or they themselves are in receipt of income or housing benefits.
- School area: Preference is given to those students who have attended schools with a low attainment and progression to higher education rate.
Preference for PASS is given to applicants who have participated in the following programmes:
- Inner Temple schools project.
- Pathway to Law.
- Social Mobility Foundation programmes.
- Warwick Multicultural Scholars programme.
- Black Lawyers Directory Legal Launch Pad.
- Urban Lawyers.
The scheme also encourages applications from mature applicants and applicants with disabilities.
Exchange Chambers are currently inviting aspiring barristers to apply for a place on our Virtual Mini-Pupillage Forum event, which will take place on the evening of Thursday 30 July 2020. For more information, please click here.
