OLPAS 2008 timetable

The OLPAS timetable for 2008 is as follows:

• The new OLPAS system opens at The National Pupillage Fair on Saturday 8 March 2008 at 10.30 am.
• Candidates may apply for pupillage one or two years ahead depending on how close they are to completing the academic stage. For example, candidates who are completing the second or penultimate year of their law degree, or candidates about to embark on a conversion course may apply only to those chambers that offer pupillages two years ahead ie 2010/2011. Candidates who are in their final year of the qualifying law degree or the CPE may apply to chambers offering pupillage one or two years ahead ie 2009/2010 or 2008/2011.

• Candidates may apply to up to 12 pupillage providers in each season.

• Applications for the Summer season may be made from 10.30 am on Saturday 8 March, 2008.
• The deadline for submission of Summer season applications is 11:59pm on Thursday 1 May, 2008.

• Offers may be made to Summer season applicants from 11:59pm on Thursday 31 July, 2008.

• Applications for the Autumn season may be made from Thursday 28 August, 2008.
• The deadline for submission of Autumn season applications is 11:59pm on Monday 29 September, 2008.
• Offers may be made to Autumn season applicants from 11:59pm on Friday 31 October, 2008.

In addition, the Bar Council has agreed that all Pupillage Providers should abide by a common timetable:

• No offers can be made in the period 1 May to 31 July.
• No offers can be made before midnight (ie, 11.59 pm) on 31 July in an applicant's penultimate undergraduate year.
• All offers must remain open for at least 14 days.