Annual minimum funding will increase to £26,999 in London and £24,640 elsewhere.
The minimum pupillage award will increase from 1 January 2027, with pupils in London entitled to a minimum of £26,999 a year and those outside London entitled to £24,640. The Bar Standards Board (BSB) announced the revised rates on 21 October 2026.
The new rates represent an annual increase of £1,136 for both London and non-London pupillages compared with the minimum awards for 2026.
New minimum pupillage rates for 2027
From 1 January 2027, the minimum annual awards for a 12-month pupillage will be:
- London: £26,999
- Outside London: £24,640
For comparison, the corresponding minimum awards for 2026 are £25,863 in London and £23,504 outside London.
The London rate applies to pupillages based in boroughs within Greater London, as defined in the London Directory. Where an organisation operates from multiple offices, it should confirm in writing where the pupillage is based and whether the London rate applies when making an offer.
The BSB said the revised awards have been set with regard to the latest hourly rate recommendation from the Living Wage Foundation. It has also encouraged chambers and other organisations to introduce the new rates before January, where possible, to help support pupils facing financial pressures.
Increase applies to all pupils
The revised minimum award will apply to all pupils, including those whose pupillage began before 1 January 2027. Chambers should adjust monthly payments to reflect the new minimum rates.
The BSB’s announcement confirms that the increase is intended to establish the minimum funding pupils must receive during pupillage. Organisations responsible for funding pupils should therefore review their payment arrangements ahead of the implementation date.
The new rates are set out in the BSB’s guidance on pupillage funding in Part 4E of the Bar Qualification Manual.
The changes will take effect on 1 January 2027, giving chambers and other organisations time to prepare for the revised minimum awards.