Pupillage Matched Funding Scheme
2027-28 and 2028-29 pupillages
Following the announcement of the Ministry of Justice’s landmark scheme to invest up to £1.5M per year to increase the number of match-funded criminal pupillages and support entry into the Bar, COIC are delighted to announce that they are partnering with the MOJ to distribute this government funding in addition to their own existing established scheme.
The premise of the MOJ scheme is to fund up to 100 matched funded pupillages, in addition to the ones matched funded by COIC, to improve opportunities and increase the number of junior barristers practicing in criminal law. The MOJ funding is in addition to the existing COIC match funding scheme, which covers all chambers and other approved training organisations predominantly engaged in legally aided work.
The COIC matched funding criteria remain the same as in previous years; with the fundamental condition being that Chambers (across all practice areas) are engaged in predominantly legally aided work.
The MOJ match funding criteria focus specifically on chambers who undertake predominantly criminal legally aided work and also require applicant chambers to consider incorporating equal opportunity measures in their recruitment process and commit to provide data to assist with monitoring and evaluation of the funding.
How the scheme works
It is a prerequisite of the scheme that chambers understand that matched funded pupillages are in addition to those they would have offered in any event. COIC and the MOJ will match pupillage funding provided by chambers with a total grant of £12,400 for 2027-2028 London pupillages and £11,350 for 2027-2028 out of London pupillages and, £13,500 for 2028-29 London pupillages and £12,350 for 2028-29 out of London pupillages, to fund the first six months of an additional pupillage. Chambers are responsible for ensuring that the total pupillage award meets the BSB’s minimum award for the year in question.
How to apply
Chambers are required to apply through this single application form, which will determine the organisations eligibility to meet the criteria to receive COIC and or MOJ matched funding. Your application will automatically be considered under the terms of both schemes, and COIC will determine grant is better suited to your application.
Applications to match fund 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 pupillages are invited between 1 September and 17 October 2026.
Click here to begin your application.
Decisions will be communicated during the week commencing 3 November 2026.
To find out more please email Hayley Dawes:
Testimonials from chambers previously awarded a COIC matched funded grant
Castle Gate Chambers pride themselves on being communal and supportive and are keen to grow organically to ensure that they attract the best candidates who are most likely to thrive within the set.
Castle Gate Chambers is incredibly fortunate to have received support from the COIC’s Matched Funding Scheme over the last six years. That support has enabled us to invest in the future of our profession by offering high-quality pupillages year in, year out.
Castle Gate Chambers strives for excellence, with its pupillage selection process aimed at finding the Criminal Bar’s stars of tomorrow and encourage candidates who have a real sense of who they are to apply - the pupillage process, and tenancy beyond, can be demanding.
Katrina Wilson (Head of Pupillage) Castle Gate Chambers
Rose Court Chambers is a small friendly ‘boutique’ set of criminal barristers which was set up during the pandemic in early 2021. It was born out of necessity and a desire to offer a more personal service to its professional and lay clients.
The provision of matched funding by COIC offers invaluable assistance to the training of future members of the bar. In no other area of law are there the challenges that the criminal bar faces and Rose Court Chambers is proud be to AETO accredited and aiming to expand the number of junior members. We are incredibly grateful to the COIC for the help offered.
As Rose Court Chambers recruits’ pupils for the second year running the matched funding scheme allows us to recruit and train those from underrepresented groups and those from non-traditional backgrounds who will no doubt remain part of the Rose Court family for years to come.
Matheos Lefteris, Head of Pupillage Committee, Rose Court Chambers