Pupillage at Kings Chambers normally begins in the autumn each year and lasts for 12 months.
Pupils are usually based at our Manchester Chambers, although requests to be based in our Leeds or Birmingham Chambers will be considered where practicable.
Our pupillages are generally specialist and offered within one of our individual practice areas. Pupils are therefore allocated to a particular department and supported by Pupil Supervisors who practise within that area.
During the non-practising first six months, pupils will work closely with their Pupil Supervisor as well as other members of Chambers.
This will typically involve:
The aim is to give pupils broad practical experience while developing the skills and knowledge required for the practising stage of pupillage.
At the beginning of the second six-month period, pupils will normally move to a different Pupil Supervisor.
Once they enter the practising stage, pupils are given their own caseload and plenty of opportunities to develop their advocacy and case-management skills.
Our clerks aim to keep pupils busy and, depending on their specialist area, pupils can typically expect to be in court three to five times a week.
Alongside their Pupil Supervisors, every pupil is allocated a pupil buddy.
The buddy will usually be a junior member of Chambers who is closer to the pupil in year of call and who has themselves completed pupillage at Kings relatively recently. They are not involved in the formal assessment process and are there to provide informal guidance, pastoral support and a friendly point of contact throughout pupillage.
Kings Chambers is committed to protecting and supporting the health and wellbeing of our pupils and members. Further information can be found in our Health and Wellbeing Policy.
At the start of pupillage, all new pupils attend a group induction at our Manchester Chambers.
This provides an opportunity to meet key people across Chambers, including:
The induction introduces pupils to life at Kings Chambers and provides an overview of our policies, procedures, training programme and pupillage assessment process.
Pupil Supervisors, working alongside the Director of Pupillage Training, are responsible for planning and delivering each pupil’s training.
Pupils receive regular feedback throughout their pupillage, allowing their progress and development to be closely monitored.
Formal feedback meetings normally take place every month. These give pupils and their Pupil Supervisor an opportunity to discuss:
Towards the end of each six-month period, pupils will also have a formal review meeting with their Pupil Supervisor and the Director of Pupillage Training.
The review will consider the feedback received throughout the previous six months, the pupil’s overall progress, feedback from other practitioners, the structure of their pupillage and the relevant requirements of their Personal Statement.
Where areas for further development are identified, clear action points and additional support will be put in place. Further review meetings can also be arranged where these would assist the pupil’s development.
Kings Chambers
36 Young Street
Manchester
M3 3FT
Telephone: 0161 832 9082