Northern Pupillage Fair – Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026 @ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: The Liner Hotel, Liverpool – Tickets are free: Available at Speed Mooting
With more than 800 candidates already registered and attendance on track to surpass last year’s record of more than 1,000, the Northern Pupillage Fair is once again highlighting the strength of interest in a career at the Bar and the growing demand for opportunities outside London.
Taking place at Liverpool’s Liner Hotel on 5 September, the event will bring aspiring barristers face-to-face with chambers, legal organisations and practitioners from across the country.
The fair is run by John Dove and Hayley Dove, who are also behind The Legal Skills Academy and the National Speed Mooting Competition. Their wider work focuses on helping aspiring advocates develop practical skills, confidence and access to the profession.
We caught up with John and Hayley ahead of the event.
“The response this year has been particularly encouraging,” said John. “There is clearly a strong appetite for practical guidance on building a career at the Bar and for meeting chambers directly.”
He added: “We are also seeing growing interest in regional opportunities. Candidates want to understand the different routes into practice and are increasingly aware that they need an edge to succeed at the Bar.”
Growing opportunities beyond London
Demand for regional access to the profession has increased significantly in recent years, with aspiring barristers looking more closely at careers across the country.
At the same time, chambers are recognising the value of attracting talented candidates from a wider geographical and social background.
“The interest in this year’s fair speaks for itself,” said Hayley. “The future of legal talent in the North is very strong. There is a deep pool of capable and ambitious candidates, and regional events play an important role in connecting them with leading chambers.”
The event also challenges the assumption that a successful career at the Bar must be built in London.
“A successful career at the Bar can be built in many locations, with excellent work, strong professional communities and a high quality of life,” said John. “Hearing that directly from practitioners, rather than reading it on a website, can be genuinely transformative for candidates.”
More than a traditional careers fair
For John and Hayley, what sets the Northern Pupillage Fair apart is the commitment shown by the organisations choosing to attend.
“Every set and organisation exhibiting at this fair has chosen to be here because they recognise the importance of bringing genuine opportunity to the North and embracing social mobility in the legal profession,” said Hayley.
“These are not people ticking a box. They are making a real effort to find talented candidates from all backgrounds and are actively investing in doing so.”
For candidates, this creates a valuable opportunity to speak directly with people who are genuinely interested in meeting the next generation of barristers.
“The conversations they have are with people who want to understand their journey, not just their CV,” said John.
Candidates can explore different practice areas, locations, recruitment processes and career paths, as well as meet organisations supporting aspiring barristers with skills development and strengthening their applications.
Making the profession more accessible
For students and career changers without existing connections in the legal sector, approaching chambers can feel intimidating.
The fair is designed to make those first conversations easier.
“Candidates do not need a perfect pitch or extensive networking experience,” said Hayley. “They can ask questions, listen to practitioners talk about their work and gain a clearer understanding of what chambers are looking for in an environment designed to be welcoming rather than formal.”
“For many, it is the moment the Bar starts to feel genuinely accessible.”
The event can also give candidates an advantage before pupillage applications open.
“Someone who has researched a set, understands its practice and asks thoughtful questions is likely to make a much stronger impression than someone who simply collects brochures,” said John.
Just as importantly, those conversations can help candidates decide which chambers and areas of practice genuinely suit them.
How candidates can make the most of the day
For anyone attending on 5 September, John’s advice is simple: “Be prepared, curious and genuine.”
“Research the exhibitors, prepare a brief introduction and have a few questions ready, but do not treat every conversation as a formal interview,” he said.
“Listen carefully, show a genuine interest in the people and the work you encounter, and make a note of anything useful afterwards. A memorable impression almost always comes from having a good, authentic conversation.”
The day will conclude with a private networking reception, giving candidates and practitioners an opportunity to continue conversations in a more informal setting.
“Careers are built through relationships as well as formal applications,” said John. “Informal conversations allow candidates and practitioners to connect in a less structured setting.”
For those without an established professional network, this can be particularly valuable.
Confidence, clarity and a next step
Behind the scenes, delivering an event of this scale requires months of planning by John and Hayley, covering everything from exhibitors and speakers to registration, accessibility, catering and networking.
“As a small team made up of just myself and my wife, Hayley, we have to start planning the next Pupillage Fair almost as soon as the last one is finished,” said John.
“But when the day comes around and you can see first-hand just how valuable it is to the next generation, it is all worth it.”
Ultimately, however, the success of the fair is about more than attendance figures.
“We hope candidates leave with greater clarity about the profession, more confidence when approaching chambers, a better understanding of the opportunities available to them and some practical next steps for their applications,” said Hayley.
“The material is useful, but the shift in confidence and direction is what we are really aiming for.”
With another record turnout in sight, the Northern Pupillage Fair is not only showcasing the strength of legal talent in the North. It is helping aspiring barristers make meaningful connections, understand their options and take a more informed step towards a career at the Bar.
Tickets: Available at Speed Mooting
Author: TOF
Leave a Reply