The Inner Temple has launched a new scheme for university students from under-privileged backgrounds intended to encourage social mobility and diversity at the Bar.

The so-called 'Pegasus Access Scheme', which launched today (12 March), includes a total of 42 participating chambers across the UK and is the largest coordinated scheme of its kind at the Bar.

The intention is to match high-achieving students from under-represented backgrounds in the profession with some of the leading sets of Chambers for formal mini-pupillages.

All of the chambers have committed to taking on a number of university students from disadvantaged backgrounds for mini-pupillages of between two and five days, with reasonable travel and meal expenses provided. The number of pupillages on offer varies between chambers, with some offering up to five a year.

The deadline for the first set of student applications is next month when around 70 placements are likely to be offered, with around 100 placements expected in the full round in September. The placements will take place throughout the year.

The Inner Temple will target university students who have previously participated in its school-level social mobility programmes – such as Pathways to Law and The Inner Temple Schools Project – and are now undertaking degrees. It is also advertising widely through university law faculties and career services for those who would be eligible to apply but have not completed one of these programmes.

It is already working with schools and universities across England and Wales to promote awareness of the opportunities available at the modern Bar and to dispel outdated stereotypes about barristers.

Inner Temple chief executive Patrick Maddams said: "In coordination with charities working in this field and forty-two partner chambers, this scheme will build on our outreach work with schools and universities. This national scheme demonstrates the breadth of commitment across the profession."

3 Hare Court head James Dingemans QC (pictured) added: "No one institution can address all of the issues surrounding social mobility and access to the professions, but everyone has a responsibility to do what can be done to break down any potential barriers to entry."

He added: "Inner Temple is working with, and on behalf of, the profession to address some of these barriers. The aim is to ensure that talented students from any background can reach their full potential at the Bar of England and Wales."

The launch comes nearly a year after 23 law firms launched PRIME, a groundbreaking social mobility initiative aimed at convincing state school students aged 14-18 of the realistic prospects of a job in the legal sector in an effort to boost social diversity within the profession.

Participating law firms – which now total over 50 – commit to providing an annual number of work experience placements equivalent to 50% of their trainee intake.