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Getting pupillage is fiercely competitive. Your relative likely passed the BPTC/BVC (basically the barrister equivalent of the SQE). But, as with the SQE, this does not mean you are eligible to practise. The Bar technically calls it 'being called to the Bar' but in actuality your relative likely never 'effectively' qualified. Many people do the Bar course and don't get pupillage - this is well known (and sounds like what happened to your relative). However, getting a training contract (now called a 'period of Qualifying Work Experience' [QWE]) is also fiercely competitive. I would just caution jumping into a course as it seems like you may need a little more research into what you are getting into - but you may also figure it out along the way. I know many people who started the PGDL with no training contract or pupillage and got it along the way.