Keating Chambers Criminal Bar Pupillage Pledge

Date: 14 September 2020

Commercial set Keating Chambers pledges £20,000 through Criminal Bar Association for criminal pupillage

Marcus Taverner QC said, ‘The financial impact of the pandemic has been felt particularly by the criminal Bar. Commercial sets are in the fortunate position of being hit less hard. We took a decision to provide support for the vital work carried out by the criminal Bar in the legal system of England and Wales in these very difficult times.’

Upon hearing that some criminal sets had no choice but to withdraw pupillage offers for this September due to financial pressure as a result of the impact of Covid-19, our Executive Committee voted in August to provide funding of £20,000 towards a withdrawn pupillage this September. Applications to be considered for funding should be made directly to the Criminal Bar Association whose Chair, James Mulholland QC, announced the initiative in his newsletter to members on 14 September stating:

‘Keating Chambers has generously offered to fund a criminal pupillage for this year in the sum of £20,000. If a Chambers has had to withdraw such an offer and disappoint an applicant because of the current crisis, please contact the CBA with details.’