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Pupils' Programme 2025/26

All pupils are required by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) to satisfactorily complete a minimum of twelve hours of practical advocacy training, usually within their first six months of pupillage.

The Inn runs two advocacy training courses each academic year. Each course consists of  a series of in-person sessions as well as a residential weekend. 

As part of the pupils programme, the Inn also delivers a one day Practice Management Day (PMD). The PMD provides useful, practical information, directly from judges, clerks, solicitors barristers and accountants about all aspects of managing a practice at the Bar. 

The fee for the advocacy training course and PMD is £30. 

Compulsory Pupils' Advocacy Training Course 2025 -  Course A  (Oct/Nov)

  • Pupils Introductory Evening: 1 October 2026, Inner Temple, 17.45-20.30.
  • Pupils Criminal Case Analysis Evening: 7 October 2025, Inner Temple, 17.45-20.30.
  • Pupils Civil Case Analysis Evening: 13 October 2025, Inner Temple,  17.45-20.30
  • Pupils Residential Weekend: 17 – 19 October 2025, The Berystede Hotel & Spa, Ascot 
  • Pupils Applications Day: 1 November 2025, Inner Temple, 09.30-15.00
  • Pupils Mock Trials – 11/13/18/20 November 2025, Royal Courts of Justice, 17.15-19.30

Compulsory Pupils' Advocacy Training Course 2026 - Course B (Jan/Feb)

  • Pupils Introductory Evening: 6 January 2026, Inner Temple, 17.45-20.30.
  • Pupils Criminal Case Analysis Evening: 13 January 2026, Inner Temple, 17.45-20.30.
  • Pupils Civil Case Analysis Evening: 15 January 2026, Inner Temple, 17.45-20.30.
  • Pupils Residential Weekend: 23 – 25 January 2026, The Berystede Hotel & Spa, Ascot 
  • Pupils Applications Day: 7 February 2026, Inner Temple, 09.30-15.00
  • Pupils Mock Trials – 12 17, 26 February 2026, Royal Courts of Justice, 17.15-19.30

The next PMD will take place on Saturday 10 January 2026, Inner Temple, 10 am - 3 pm.

Pupils' Advocacy Weekend Feedback

"This year’s advocacy training weekend at Wotton House was hard work and great fun in equal measure. The beautiful rural setting provided an idyllic backdrop to what was a highly intensive and rewarding course. Alastair Hodge and his team of trainers, members of the Inn who had selflessly given up their weekends for our benefit, led small groups of pupils for set-piece advocacy exercises, both criminal and civil. These sessions were interspersed with informative lectures and excellent advocacy demonstrations. "Everyone got a great deal out of the course in terms of professional development, but it was also a welcome opportunity to catch up with old friends and to make new ones. It was helpful to be able to ask senior members of the Inn their advice on pupillage and on starting out in practice, but also to swap notes with fellow pupils on their pupillage experiences so far. Altogether it was a very rewarding weekend and a real highlight of Inner Temple’s pupillage training programme."
"The Advocacy Training weekend was an excellent way of bringing together all our studies and refining our advocacy techniques to prepare us for our second six. We arrived at Wotton House and began with a drama exercise (which involved a lot of jumping!) and which helped to break the ice. We then commenced the advocacy exercises. We covered everything we need to know for our practice; closing speeches, examination in chief, cross examination. We completed the exercises in small groups which provided for detailed feedback. We then individually went with our recordings of the advocacy exercise to review it for further feedback. It was a fantastic opportunity to observe yourself critically, see what you do well, what you need to improve and the constructive comments you receive are invaluable. "The weekend also provided the opportunity to observe experienced barristers demonstrating advocacy techniques and giving their top tips. A beautiful setting, an opportunity to learn and to receive unparalleled feedback, the pupils’ advocacy weekend was a hugely rewarding experience."
"The Pupil Advocacy Course was an invaluable opportunity for pupils to hone case preparation and advocacy skills before commencing “second six”. The highlight of the course was the residential weekend at Wotton House Conference Centre in Surrey. I had been warned about the drunkenness and debauchery which occurs on these weekends. In fact, the weekend was organised with military precision and packed full of practical and relevant sessions run by experienced and dedicated practitioners and Judges. The advocacy exercises were carried out in small groups with two or three trainers. Whilst these sessions were challenging and initially a little daunting, they allowed the trainers to give detailed and constructive feedback. By the end of the course all the pupils felt far better equipped to face the perils of second six. As for drunkenness and debauchery; this stretched to a glass of wine and a game of giant “Jenga” before collapsing into bed!"

For further information

Pupils and New Practitioners

Phone

020 7438 2310

Email

pupils-practitioners@innertemple.org.uk

Bio

Pupils and New Practitioners Courses

Pupils and New Practitioners

Phone

020 7438 2310

Email

pupils-practitioners@innertemple.org.uk

Bio

Pupils and New Practitioners Courses

Pupils and New Practitioners

Phone

020 7438 2310

Email

pupils-practitioners@innertemple.org.uk

Bio

Pupils and New Practitioners Courses