The Bar Council is launching a new online pupillage application system which will allow chambers to tailor applications for the first time.

The new system, called Pupillage Gateway, will launch next March when it will replace the existing process, called Pupillage Portal, which is run by graduate recruitment agency GTI.

In addition to bringing the pupillage process directly under the remit of the Bar Council, the new portal will allow sets to tailor and customise the application forms to suit their own chambers. There will also be a new online marking system allowing chambers to manage applications entirely online.