Mentoring Scheme (formerly Sponsorship Scheme)

The principal role of the Mentor is to offer advice and general guidance to allocated students as they take their first steps to a career at the Bar.

Each year mentors are allocated to BVC students in early October and from the end of October the scheme is then open to all Inner Temple members either on the CPE, the BVC and in Pupillage.

Please click here for the Mentoring Scheme application form, and here for the accompanying notes.

Please be aware that there are a limited number of mentors available and as such a perfect match with your interests and location is not always possible.

If you have any queries, please contact Paul Clark in the Education & Training Department on 020 7797 8211.

About the Mentoring Scheme

This scheme is open to members of the Inner Temple only and has been established with the specific purpose of introducing students to practising members of the Bar. A Barrister Mentor will be able to provide you with general information and guidance regarding your career at the Bar.

We try to match you to a Barrister Mentor who works in an area of law in which you are interested. Every dining term there is a Mentors' Dining Night with pre-dinner drinks in the Parliament Chamber or garden (weather permitting in the summer). If you are based in London, you should arrange to dine with your Mentor on these evenings or make your own arrangements to dine if that evening is not convenient. The scheme has proved to be very worthwhile, and we recommend students to consider joining it.

Paul Clark will be able to provide further details of the scheme if you are interested in joining. Paul can be contacted on 0207 797 8211.

Once you have completed and returned the form your details will be matched to those of an appropriate Mentor. You will be sent a letter telling you the name and address of your Mentor and an information pack giving guide lines on how the scheme works. You must then contact your Mentor or his/her clerk immediately and arrange to meet them at the earliest convenience.

If you wish to apply to be a Mentor, please click here.

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Guidelines for Mentors and Students

Students are allocated to Mentors at the beginning of the academic year. At the end of the academic year, the Mentor and Student may agree to continue for a further year (e.g. through pupillage).

On receipt of contact details, the Student is expected to make contact with his/her Mentor within 3 weeks and arrange an initial meeting if possible. As a Student, you should look to get the following from the scheme:

  • General advice and guidance from the Mentor via telephone calls/e-mailing and further meetings as necessary.
  • The Student attending Court with his/her Mentor at least once a year to gain first hand experience of the courtroom from counsel's viewpoint.
  • Dining together at least once a year. This can be on Mentors' Dining Night (buffet supper) or on any Mixed Dining Night.
  • Providing brief feedback to the Inn when requested. The Inn will contact all Mentors and Students after 3 months.

Additionally, the Mentor may be able to arrange a mini-pupillage for his/her Student. Please do note though that it may not always be possible for your Mentor to comply with the whole list as it varies from area of practice but it gives you an indication of the sorts of things that you can expect.

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Mentors' Dining Night

Mentors' Dining Night is an ideal opportunity for Students to meet their Mentor. Drinks are served in the Parliament Chamber at 6.30pm so that students, Barristers and Benchers can mix with each other for an hour before dinner. Please note:

  • Tickets should be purchased at the beginning of the dining term - they are always in high demand so you should be sure to buy your tickets on the first day they go on sale.
  • Mentors and Students should make their arrangements to dine well in advance.
  • Mentors will be sent an invitation which they should return to the Education and Training Department. Students should contact their Mentor to see if they are dining and to make the necessary arrangements. (Please note that Students will incur the cost of their Mentor's ticket if they fail to notify us of any cancellations.)
  • Students should make sure they have confirmed the date with their Mentor - this ensures there are no problems on the night.
  • The form of the evening is a sit down buffet, enabling Students and Mentors to talk in an informal environment.

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Contact Details

Paul Clark
Education & Training Department
Treasury Building
Inner Temple
London EC4Y 7HL

Tel: 0207 797 8211
E-mail: pclark@innertemple.org.uk

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