Pupillage is partly as archaic as the name suggests, and partly not. Recently I discovered that there are whole online forums dedicated to pupillage applications, the process, previous experiences at sets of chambers etc. So, to explain:
When you leave Bar school your first step is to apply for pupillage with a set of chambers. It is a year of on-the-job training divided into two halves of six months. Your first six is spent shadowing your pupil master/mistress (yes, they are really called that). This involves becoming a 23-year-old stereotypical Victorian child: Diligent, silent and attentive, trailing your pupil master everywhere whilst making copious notes. Although it never happened to me, there is of course the anecdote of the pupil who dutifully followed his master into the toilet without realising the purpose of the visit...
The second six is when you are able to undertake work in your own name, by completing papers or appearing in court in your own right. Terrifyingly, this meant that aged 23-and-a-half I was all of sudden prosecuting in sometimes serious Magistrates' Court trials, with everyone in court looking at me like I knew what I was doing. Since then I have learnt the value of at least looking like you know what you are doing: As long as you can carry that off then most of the time people won't stop you.
Most often asked question when meeting witnesses and introducing yourself: "Are you old enough to be a barrister?"
Answer I most wanted to give: "No, I just made that bit up."
There are the usual perils: As a female pupil you can expect everyone to hit on you, be it colleagues in chambers, at other chambers, solicitors at court, witnesses and court staff. There are also a fair few female pupils, who aged 23 and rather attractive, end up romantically entangled with their (normally mid 30's, married with two children) pupil masters.
As a male pupil I can confirm, sadly, that none of the above applies.
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