The Paris Bar Exchange sends barristers of the four Inns of Court to Paris for the month of September. Avocat members of the Paris Bar of similar seniority spend the month of July in London. The exchange is run by the Pegasus Scholarship Trust at the Inner Temple.
The placement is built around a stage in an avocat’s offices, ideally in the barrister’s own field of practice, alongside seminars, court hearings and institutional visits.
Participants have to work in French. The programme asks for a command of the language comparable to C1 on the Common European Framework, and part of the selection process is conducted in French.
Benefits & funding
- A grant of £2,000 payable by the Pegasus Trust.
- An introductory seminar and other activities at the EFB, the Paris Bar school.
- A stage in an avocat’s offices, preferably specialising in the barrister’s field of practice.
- Attendance at hearings of interlocutory injunction applications and of criminal proceedings.
- Visits to the Palais de Justice, an administrative tribunal or the Conseil d’État, with some marshalling.
- A meeting between young avocats and barristers, a reception, and a mock trial before French judges at the Palais de Justice.
- Financial assistance from the Trust towards a French refresher course, subject to individual requirements.
- Travel and accommodation are paid by the participant.
Eligibility
- Member of one of the four Inns of Court.
- Practising at the Bar of England and Wales, either as a tenant in chambers or as part of the employed Bar.
- Within the first seven years of practice, not counting pupillage; measured as not exceeding seven years’ experience by 31 December of the year of application.
- A break in practice caused by illness, a life or career change, maternity or paternity leave, or other circumstances beyond the applicant’s control can be put to the Trust in writing for a dispensation.
- Able to obtain written permission for the placement from the employer, or from the Head of Chambers and Head Clerk.
- An intention to return and remain in practice at the Bar of England and Wales for at least three years, confirmed on an Undertaking form if a place is offered.
- Proficient French, stated as B2/C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
- No nationality or residency rule is set; the gate is professional standing at the Bar of England and Wales.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
Bachelor
Experience required
≤ 7 yrs
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Application process
- 1Complete the online application form: personal details, education, work experience, supporting information, and optional equal opportunities monitoring.
- 2Submit a lettre de motivation in French, giving the reasons the placement would benefit you professionally and personally.
- 3Arrange two references from people who have known you for at least six months; family members cannot act as referees, and referees submit directly through an emailed link by the reference deadline.
- 4Attend the online interview, held partly in English and partly in French.
- 5Results are usually sent by email within two weeks of the interviews.
Program timeline
Applications open for 2026 placements
Sep 26, 2025
Application deadline, 11.59pm
Nov 30, 2025
Reference deadline
Dec 7, 2025
Interviews, online in the evening
Feb 3, 2026
Within two weeks of the interviews
results sent by email
the placement month in Paris
September
The Trust’s page currently shows applications as closed; the exchange runs annually and the next round is expected to open in the autumn.