Faculty opens "mini-devilling" taster programme

A “mini-devilling” programme to give students on the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice first hand experience of life at the Scottish bar has opened at the Faculty of Advocates.

An expansion of an idea which began with a single student in 2018, this year’s programme involves 30 Diploma students from six universities each shadowing a mini-devilmaster (a junior advocate) one day a week, and also being given a taste of Faculty’s advocacy training programme. At the end of the course they will test their skills in a series of mock trials under the supervision of Faculty training instructors.

The training reflects the “devilling” that intending advocates undertake prior to admission to the bar. To prevent any financial barriers to entry, Faculty covers any travel expenses incurred by participation in the scheme. 

Clerk of Faculty Barney Ross commented: “We hope that it will inspire and encourage those taking part to consider a career at the bar; and that some of this year’s mini-devils will become the devils and devilmasters of the future.”