Wow
That's one long rant. Those were also my exact thoughts in 2006 when I was deciding whether to apply for the BVC. I didn't have connections, my parents weren't any help financially post-degree (they re-mortgaged twice to help pay for uni) and I had read the same figures re: pupillage figures declining.

I got the £25k professional development loan from Natwest, and went for it. £12k fees, £13k to live on in London (which was ok). I worked part-time during the course (more or less full-time on occasion), and tried to get mini-pupillages. I got none. I got rejected from more than 30 sets. I got pupillage with the CPS, and started straight after the BVC. I was one of the lucky ones, I know many good people who didn't get pupillage, and the traditional refuge of the City isn't what it was.

Don't give up, and if you are determined to make it, you will make it.

All the advice offered by others above is sound. I don't want to fuel your pessimism, but the criminal bar is VERY hard-pressed at the moment, in-house jobs, especially in crime, and most especially with the CPS, are like gold-dust. Don't rule out the LPC, the opportunities are out there.

At the self-employed criminal Bar, pupillage will be up to £20k, solicitors won't pay you for months (even years), you'll be travelling ridiculous distances on the train, and even when you are eventually paid, it will be peanuts. Expect to be in debt for the first 5 years of practice, probably longer.

Good luck, you're aiming at what I think is the best job in the world, and despite the difficulties, I certainly wouldn't swap it for anything. You won't regret it.



/serious advice from interweb strangers.

Edited to add gloom.
(Exiled Youth [witty comment], Sun 5 Apr 2009, 8:10, Reply)