Pupillage Recruitment Criteria

When considering applications for pupillage, candidates will need to have completed or be scheduled to complete either a law degree or GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law – law conversion course for those who have completed a non-law undergraduate degree).  Additionally, the BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course) or another England and Wales bar qualification (e.g. Bar Transfer Test) needs to have been completed and passed prior to commencement of pupillage.

We invite applications from those committed to a career at the bar who have an outstanding analytical ability, sound judgment, the potential to become excellent advocates and a capacity to establish and maintain good relationships with clients and other Members of Chambers and Staff. We normally require a degree classification of a good 2:1 as a minimum, albeit we will consider extenuating circumstances.

We encourage those interested in applying for pupillage to apply for our Mini Pupillage Programme so that they can see what chambers is like for themselves. Details of the programme we run can be found on our website.

Chambers is looking for outstanding individuals wanting to succeed in their chosen specialist areas of work.  Chambers select pupils with a view to tenancy and therefore our selection criteria and application process is structured to ensure that the most dedicated candidates prosper.

Skill 1:  Intellectual Ability

“A Kings Pupil…”

• Has excellent intellectual ability.
• Can analyse complex and voluminous facts and materials to identify relevant points under pressure.
• Can use and apply rules to factual situations to produce accurate assessments.
• Can cut through to identify the key issues in any problem or set of materials.
• Has at least a 2:1 degree unless there are specific extenuating circumstances (and clear evidence of intellectual ability demonstrated elsewhere). The institution is not relevant.
• Has achieved:
  • consistently outstanding academic results, or
  • a sustained improvement in results over time together with other clear evidence of intellectual ability, or
  • Significant outperformance of his or her peers as evidenced by performance indicator from RARE.

Skill 2: Interest in the Bar / Practice Area.

• Has a realistic understanding of the demands of a career at the independent Bar.
• Has made an informed decision to pursue a career as a barrister.
• Has clear determination to succeed as a barrister.
• Is cognisant of the less glamorous aspects of the role.
• Will commit to progressing a career at the Bar for the benefit of themselves and Chambers.
• Has a good understanding of their chosen practice area and demonstrates real interest in and commitment to that area.

Skill 3: Written Advocacy

• Produces written advocacy which is:
  • clear
  • logical
  • articulate
  • succinct
  • well structured, and
  • persuasive
• Can build a strong, logical argument regardless of their own personal view.
• Builds a logical, rational argument based on fact and a good understanding of the law.
• Can anticipate and address opposing arguments.
• Uses correct spelling and grammar and appropriate presentation.

Skill 4: Oral Advocacy

As per Written Advocacy plus

• Can deliver with confidence and impact, using tactics and emotion to support the logic in gaining agreement.
• Deals effectively with interventions.

Skill 5: Ability to engage and work with others

• Can communicate with people from a range of backgrounds including clients, solicitors, colleagues, clerks, and tribunals.
• Can explain complex issues in a clear and straightforward way.
• Is skillful in building productive working relationships with both colleagues and clients.
• Adapts communication style to the audience.
• Treats people with courtesy and respect regardless of who they are.

Skill 6: Sound Judgment [not assessed at sift stage]

• Makes sound, rational, and ethical judgments based on the information available.
• Can identify the key point(s) in a task/case.
• Prioritises tasks appropriately.