Scholarships
Middle Temple Scholarship for Advocacy Training
A critical component of the Middle Temple Society's mission is to award annual scholarships to six outstanding young barristers who are sent to London to receive advocacy training provided by the Inn. The two-week course is intensive and participatory. It also has the reputation for being one of the best advocacy training courses in London.
The course offers advocacy training workshops designed to meet situations in which young barristers may find themselves. Lectures cover themes ranging from general advocacy to practical advice from specialists and experts, and the workshops are led by experienced practitioners. There are also Court visits, which provide a unique opportunity for exercises in both civil applications, criminal work, and family work before Judges.
The advocacy course is suitable for barristers who have nearly completed their pupillage, or for those in the first 3 years of practice. The endowment is awarded to candidates who are selected on the basis of merit as well as their motivation to succeed at the Bar.
The scholarships covers economy return air fare and entry to the course to suitable members of the Hong Kong Bar. Applications are open to all, but preference will be given to members of the Middle Temple Society in Hong Kong and their pupils.
The opening of the application period for the scholarship will be announced through the Hong Kong Bar Association Bar Circulars.
Hong Kong Scholarship
On a reciprocal basis, young Middle Templars in London are similarly awarded scholarships on an annual basis to come to Hong Kong.
Thanks to the generosity of Master John Scott SC, this international scholarship covers a return economy flight from London to Hong Kong, a stay of three weeks in Hong Kong (with one week's work experience in Des Voeux Chambers, one week's marshalling, and possibly one week's work experience in an international law firm) and accommodation.
The scholarship is aimed at applicants who would like to practise commercial law and have a particular interest in international commercial law. It is open to applicants before, during or after pupillage. They must be members of the Inn and have successfully completed the Bar Course at the time of commencing the scholarship. The placement will typically take place in September.
The application process is set out on the Inn's website. The 2017 scholar also wrote a report on her experiences.
TESTIMONIAL
Middle Temple Scholarship Experience
“I was one of the fortunate recipients of the Middle Temple Scholarship for 2025, which entailed attending the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple in London for two weeks of focused and rigorous advocacy training.
I believe one of the many silks who imparted wisdom upon us best put advocacy into perspective, considering that one of the most influential books on the subject, “the Orator” by Cicero, was penned before the Christian era. Since then, advocacy has developed for over two millennia, with other defining characters making their mark in the discipline of the rhetoric such as Sir Thomas Wilson. As such, it is both incredibly humbling and comforting to know that we are standing on the shoulders of giants, scratching the surface of a plethora of knowledge yet to be learnt and studied.
The course entailed lessons in the morning and then workshops at night where we were on our feet before highly experienced counsel. This ultimately culminated in the highlight of the trip, where I found myself in one of the historic courtrooms in the Royal Courts of Justice, standing before Mr Justice Chamberlain, making submissions to resist an injunction application. This was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity, and at the end I was able to receive insightful feedback from a sitting UK High Court Judge, which I will no doubt internalise and incorporate in my future practice.
Apart from the substantive content of the course, I was also able to build connections with learned friends in the UK, absorb the rich culture and history behind both the city and the Inns of Court, and most importantly at the end of the course, have a pint with everyone to celebrate!
All in all, this was undoubtedly an invaluable experience which immensely broadened my horizons, and if anyone is lucky enough to be offered the same opportunity, I would suggest you seize it in a heartbeat.”
2025 Middle Temple Scholar
Nicklaus Pannu-Yuon