Pupil Barrister Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

Most Pupil Barrister interviews in the UK follow a pattern, and knowing it beats guessing. Below are eight questions from our bank of 16, each with a note on what the interviewer is really after.

Eight Pupil Barrister interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. Why do you want to be a barrister rather than a solicitor, and why this chambers?

Why they ask: Pupillage panels want a reasoned, informed choice of the Bar, not a default one.

2. What do you think pupillage involves, and what will you find most challenging about it?

Why they ask: They want to see realistic expectations and self-awareness about the year ahead.

3. What are the Bar Standards Board's Core Duties, and which would you say come into tension most often?

Why they ask: The Core Duties underpin all conduct decisions at the Bar.

4. How would you structure a written opinion for a solicitor who has asked whether their client has a good claim?

Why they ask: Drafting opinions is one of the first skills a pupil develops.

5. What makes a good skeleton argument, and how do you decide what to include?

Why they ask: Written advocacy is often more persuasive than oral advocacy and is central to pupillage.

6. What are the key principles of cross-examination, and what mistakes do new advocates often make?

Why they ask: Cross-examination is a core advocacy skill and an area where pupils are judged.

7. While watching your pupil supervisor in court, you realise they have cited a case that was overruled last year. What do you do?

Why they ask: The duty to the court means pupils must act when they spot an error, even a senior one.

8. Tell me about a time you put together a persuasive legal argument, for example in a moot or debate.

Why they ask: Persuasive advocacy is the central skill of the Bar, and they want to see evidence of it.

A sample answer to question 1

Why do you want to be a barrister rather than a solicitor, and why this chambers?

What draws me to the Bar is independent advocacy and specialist advice. I want to be the person who stands up in court, thinks on my feet and takes personal responsibility for the quality of the argument. Through two mini-pupillages and a placement with a law centre, I saw that barristers get close to the legal analysis and have real autonomy, but also that the cab rank rule and duty to the court bring an ethical weight I value. I am not saying solicitors do less valuable work, but the combination of advocacy and drafting is where my strengths lie, as shown by my mooting and my Bar training course results. As for this chambers, your reputation in housing and public law matches my pro bono experience, and I like that pupils here do a mix of real casework and advocacy in the first six. I also value the supportive culture that former pupils describe. I want to build a practice rooted in this field.

Common mistake to avoid: Disparaging solicitors; giving generic reasons that apply to any set

Want the rest?

Full model answers, key points and common mistakes for all 16 questions are on the Pupil Barrister interview questions page. The first five are free, no sign-up needed.