Pupillage Application Research Spreadsheet

A free spreadsheet for planning your pupillage round, from the first chambers you shortlist to the offer you accept. Built by a practising barrister, 2026/27 edition.

A round of twenty or more applications produces far more research than anyone can hold in their head. Drafting takes repeated effort, but good research only needs to be done once and kept up to date, so this workbook gives it a single home: what you learn about each set, the questions each one asks, the answers you draft, and where every application stands against its deadline.

Inside you'll find:

• Chambers Research: one row per set for what they look for, their values and culture, recent work, the events you've attended and the people you've spoken to, alongside the route (Gateway or Off-Gateway), the pupillage award and the application deadline
• Questions + Answers: lines up with your research set by set, with room for five questions each. Every question has its type, word limit, draft answer and status, and a live word count that turns red if you run over the limit
• Final Check + Send: counts down to each deadline, turning amber at two weeks and red at one, and tracks drafting, proofreading, a second read and submission before recording the outcome when you hear back
• Dashboard: your whole round at a glance, including research progress, answers finished, anything over its word limit, your next deadline and every outcome so far
• Read First: how to use each tab and the Pupillage Gateway 2026/27 key dates, with a live countdown to each one

Built to do the admin for you

Add a set once on Chambers Research and its name, target area, route and deadline pull through to the other tabs. Dropdowns and colour coding keep every application's progress visible without any setting up.

Who it's for

Law students, Bar course students and graduates applying for pupillage through the Pupillage Gateway or directly to chambers.

2026/27 edition: an Excel workbook (.xlsx), delivered as an instant digital download. Works in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Apple Numbers and LibreOffice.

This spreadsheet is a planning tool, not legal or careers advice, and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or produced in conjunction with the Bar Council, the Bar Standards Board or the Pupillage Gateway. Gateway dates were checked in September 2026; always confirm current dates on the Gateway and each set's own pupillage page.

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