Pupillage

Chambers normally offers two funded pupillages each year based either in London or in Oxford. London-based pupillages are predominantly civil, Oxford-based pupillages are predominantly criminal.

Chambers has an established policy of recruitment from its pupils. Because we offer relatively few pupillages, we take particular care over both the selection and the training of our pupils. We hope that our pupils will be attracted by the relaxed, friendly and well-run environment that Chambers offers.

Please click below to view a section:

• Pupillage Selection
• Funding
• The Structure of Pupillage
• Recruiting for Tenancy
• Third Six Pupil

The Structure of Pupillage

A London-based pupil will experience a broad range of civil practice areas including personal injury and clinical negligence, employment and chancery/property. The pupil is also expected to spend a month in Oxford during his or her first six months to experience criminal and family work and to meet the Oxford members of Chambers.

An Oxford-based pupil will specialise in crime. The criminal practice covers a full range of prosecution and defence work particularly in London and the Thames Valley area. The pupil will also experience work for government agencies including Customs & Excise and the Inland Revenue. The pupil is expected to spend a month in London during his or her first six months to experience civil work and to meet the London members of Chambers.

Each pupil is assigned to one pupil supervisor for the first six months and to a different pupil supervisor for the second six months. The pupil supervisor is responsible for the day to day pupillage arrangements, for training the pupil, and for providing informal feedback. A formal assessment is carried out every 3 months.

During the first six months, pupils develop and practise their drafting of statements of case (or indictments), opinions and advices. They attend conferences and court with their pupil supervisors. Pupils are also encouraged to work for and to accompany other members of Chambers.

During the second six months, the balance changes as pupils start to take on their own work. During this period a pupil could expect to be in court on his or her own account on about 3 days per week.