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02 September 2026
Issue: 8175 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal , Career focus , Training & education
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Funding boost for pupils announced

Up to 100 more pupillages for criminal barristers could be provided each year, under a match-funding scheme boosted by £1.5m funding from Ministry of Justice

Chambers can apply to receive matched funding from this week until 16 October. Decisions will be communicated to chambers in the first week of November.

Welcoming the initiative, Bar Council chair Kirsty Brimelow KC said: ‘The funding of additional criminal pupillages is a necessary step towards fortifying the long-term pipeline of junior criminal barristers. This, in turn, supports the criminal justice system which, in turn, supports complainants, witnesses and defendants by helping to reduce delays caused by a depleted criminal barrister workforce.’

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Withers—Sophie Barrett-Brown

Withers—Sophie Barrett-Brown

Withers drives further growth in its UK immigration team with new partner Sophie Barrett-Brown

Venus Legal—Esther Amoako

Venus Legal—Esther Amoako

Venus Legal invests in next generation of legal talent as specialist litigation practice grows

Fisher Phillips—Catrina Smith

Fisher Phillips—Catrina Smith

Fisher Phillips continues momentum in London with arrival of Catrina Smith

NEWS
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Private prosecutors face closer scrutiny under Crown Prosecution Service guidance designed to strengthen accountability and consistency when intervention is requested
Foreign states cannot necessarily claim immunity for cyber operations launched abroad against computers in Britain, following a divided Supreme Court ruling
Defendants who make unsupported complaints about their lawyers risk losing legal aid while confiscation proceedings continue without representation
Lawyers advising Russian clients face different sanctions restrictions across the UK, EU and US, despite their shared objective of increasing pressure on Russia
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