Pupillage will normally be based in Manchester Chambers (although consideration will be given to being based in our Leeds Chambers or Birmingham Chambers, where practicable, on request). Pupillage commences in the Autumn each year and lasts for 12 months.
Pupillages offered at Kings Chambers are usually specialist pupillages offered in one of our specific departments. Pupils will therefore be allocated to a department within Chambers and Pupil Supervisors within that department. During the non-practising part of pupillage which takes place in the first six months, our pupils will shadow their respective pupil supervisor as well as other members of Chambers, carry out research and drafting on cases they are privy to. During this period, pupils will attend all mandatory training either online or externally. We also host our own internal training sessions for pupils.
When the second six-month period commences, pupils are normally assigned to a different Pupil Supervisor. Our clerks keep pupils very busy with their own caseload providing every opportunity to develop their advocacy skills. Pupils can expect to be in court 3 – 5 times a week.
In addition to having their allocated Pupil Supervisors, all pupils are also assigned to a ‘buddy’ who will be a junior member of chambers nearer to their year of call and who themselves will recently have undertaken pupillage at Kings, is not involved in the assessment process and is there to provide pastoral advice and support. Chambers is fully committed to protecting the Health & Wellbeing of its members and pupils. Chambers has an established policy which found by clicking here.
At the commencement of pupillage, we host a group induction for all pupils in our Manchester Chambers which includes talks and an opportunity to meet the Head and Deputy Head of Chambers, Heads of Department, Head of Recruitment, Director of Pupillage Training, Chief Clerks, junior Members of Chambers, and Staff. An introduction to each other, to life in Chambers as well as explaining Chambers’ policies and procedures and the assessment process is provided.
