Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the press release by the Ministry of Justice entitled Millions to be invested in next generation of legal talent, published on 2 September 2026, what steps will chambers be expected to take to increase representation in the profession.

We are investing £1.5m to fund up to 100 additional pupillages and widen access to the legal profession. As set out in the guidance available on the Council of the Inns of Court’s website, chambers will be expected to incorporate the following measures in their recruitment process to increase representation in the profession:

Targeted outreach – activity to raise awareness of the pupillage opportunities amongst those from underrepresented groups, including lower socio-economic backgrounds. Examples of suitable targeted outreach activities include attending careers fairs or other events at universities with higher diversity representation; hosting open days/other events for under-represented groups; and mentoring aspiring barristers, including providing practice with applications and interview techniques.

Contextual Recruitment – additionally considering a candidate’s individual circumstances and experiences during the sifting process, such as their socio-economic background, caring responsibilities or experience of care.

The Equal Merit (or tie break) provision – this provision allows chambers to take a protected characteristic into consideration when deciding whom to recruit or promote where people having the protected characteristic are at a disadvantage or are under-represented in chambers. We expect chambers to apply this measure at the final stage of recruitment and only in circumstances where the candidates have been assessed as being as qualified as each other.