The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is to launch a root-and-branch review of the pupillage system, it has emerged.

The body is in the process of setting up a working party to be led by Falcon Chambers' Derek Wood QC, with the first meeting due to take place on 28 October.

The BSB review is set to consider every aspect of the current pupillage system, including the structure and length of the programme.

Areas likely to come under scrutiny include the selection process and compulsory funding, introduced in 2003. The system, which means
all pupillages have to be funded, has been widely blamed for the drop in the number of places available.

It is understood that the BSB may consider bringing in a special waiver allowing unfunded pupillages in particular circumstances.

The review comes amid growing criticism of the Bar for the shortage of pupillage places available and the low uptake coming from those of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

Pupillage numbers have dropped by more than a third in recent years, with 526 offered between 1 October 2006 and 30 September 2007 compared with a figure of 850 in 2000-01.

Earlier this summer, a separate working group, also led by Wood, outlined reform of the Bar Vocational Course (BVC), including renaming the course as the Bar Professional Training Course from 2010.

Bar Council chairman Timothy Dutton QC (pictured) said: "It is a natural follow-on from reviewing the BVC, since one leads to the other. It is wise to make sure pupillages suit modern practice at the Bar."

Chairman of the Chancery Bar Association Michael Todd QC said: "It will be useful for somebody to look into the system from the outside to see if the process is working."