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Pupillage

Pupillage is the final stage of training to be a barrister. During this time, you put into practice everything you have learnt so far. Upon successful completion of the Bar Vocational Course, pupillage is essential for all those who wish to be called to the Bar in Mauritius and practise in the local courts.

 

Pupillage can be regarded as an apprenticeship. The year is an opportunity for a chambers to build on what the pupil has already learnt by combining academic and vocational experience with the day-to-day, practical work of chambers, including advocacy, drafting and liaising with attorneys, clients and colleagues. Pupillage also gives chambers a chance to assess a pupil’s prospects for tenancy.

 

Applications for pupillage should be addressed to Gavin Glover, SC with certified copies of the following documents:  birth certificate, O Level results, A Level results, certificate from University and certificate from Bar Vocational School.

A brief curriculum vitae, with full contact details of the Applicant, should accompany the application. The applicant should also clearly indicate the period of pupillage applied for. The prospective pupil should attend to work assigned by the pupil master as well as any work assigned by any other member of Chambers.

 

The prospective pupil is also required to sign the Chambers Rules for Pupillage which set out the terms and conditions governing the pupillage.

USEFUL INFORMATION ON PUPILLAGE

Section 5 of the Law Practitioners Act deals with Pupillage and some of the relevant extracts read as follows:

 

Pupillage shall be under the supervision of a pupil master designated by the Council with the consent of the pupil master, where the pupillage is undergone in Mauritius and a pupil master proposed by the pupil and approved by the Council where the pupillage is undergone outside Mauritius.

A. PUPIL MASTER

After consultation with the Bar Council, the Mauritius Law Society Council or the Chamber of Notaries, the Council will draw up a list of law practitioners of not less than 15 years¹ standing from each of the three branches of the profession who may be pupil masters.

B. PUPILLAGE FOR PROSPECTIVE BARRISTER

(i) For those qualified in Mauritius, attachment to:

(a) The chambers of a barrister for 9 months; or

(b) The chambers of a barrister for 3 months and a barrister in a law firm for 6 months; AND

(c) The office of an attorney for 3 months.

(ii) For those qualified in England and wales, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or France, attachment: ­

(a) For a period of not less than 12 months to the chambers of a barrister of not less than 15 years¹ standing in the State in which he qualifies; or

(b) For a period of not less than 9 months to the chambers of one or more barrister of not less than 15 years¹ standing in Mauritius, England and Wales, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or France, and ofattachment for a consecutive period of not less than 3 months to the office of an attorney in Mauritius.

C. DUTIES OF PUPIL MASTER

The pupil master shall:

 

(i) ensure that the pupil is in attendance for such aggregate number of hours per week as may be determined by the Council;

(ii) provide him with the necessary assistance and guidance in the completion of his preparation before he is able to practise;

(iii) in the case of a prospective barrister or attorney, make him familiar with proceedings in Court;

(iv) ensure that a prospective barrister or attorney is suitably attired when representing his client as provided for under section 21(4)(a) of the Law Practitioners Act;

(v) give the applicant the necessary and appropriate opportunity to interact with clients;

(vi) provide the council with a comprehensive report on the applicant¹s performance during pupillage.

 

Furthermore, in his presence, a prospective barrister or attorney who has completed 6 months of pupillage may represent his pupil master¹s client at any stage of any proceedings before a magistrate other than:

 

(i)           a trial on the merits;

(ii)          arguments on a matter of law; or

(iii)         submissions at the end of a case.

 

Pupillage in Mauritius is not funded.