Devilling

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Devilling is the period of training or pupillage undertaken by a person wishing to become an Advocate in Scotland or a Barrister in England and Wales or Ireland.

[edit] Scotland

The prospective advocate is placed under the care of a devilmaster who is usually a senior advocate or Queen's Counsel and follows a programme of training as laid down by the Faculty of Advocates.

The process has an ancient heritage, and it is the legal right of the Faculty of Advocates to admit persons as advocates to the Courts of Scotland. This right was apparently granted by the College of Justice.

[edit] Ireland

Devilling is a period of training undertaken by barristers in Ireland, during which they work for a senior barrister (one who has been called for seven or more years but who is not a senior counsel), known as the "master". It takes place during the year after which the devil has been awarded the barrister-at-law degree by the King's Inns.

[edit] England and Wales

The term is also used in the English legal system to refer to a junior barrister undertaking paid written work on behalf of a more senior barrister. The instructing solicitor is not informed of the arrangement and the junior barrister is paid by the senior barrister out of his own fee as a private arrangement between the two.