Mini-Pupillage

STOP PRESS : The minipupillage scheme at Doughty Street Chambers has featured in an article in the Financial Times (Graduate Recruitment section 17th October 2007). A mini-pupil who came on the scheme in September 2007 was interviewed as part of a report on internship at a variety of organisations. more ►►

Doughty Street Chambers organises two mini-pupillage courses each year. The first is held the week before Easter Week. The second is the first full week in September. On each occasion we take 10-12 pupils.

On each day of the course pupils are offered the opportunity to attend court or other hearings, or to work in Chambers. Early evening sessions are also organised on specialist areas of work (with practitioners), legal information, and on building a career at the Bar. We aim to provide a structured educational course which gives individuals an understanding of life in Chambers as well as an insight into the workings of the legal system.

Our mini-pupillage weeks are intended purely for work experience. The criteria used for assessing mini-pupillage applications are different from those applied to pupillage. We do not require potential pupils to have taken part in these courses.

Chambers does not normally offer travelling expenses or any grant for mini-pupillage courses. Similarly, lunches and other expenses are expected to be met by individuals. It is also expected that pupils will attend the whole week.

Who should apply?

If you are committed to a career at the Bar, you know which areas you hope to practise in, you've been on two or more London-based mini-pupillages and you've got other legal-related experience then you don't really need a mini-pupillage with Doughty Street.

Mini-pupillage is for work-experience only. It is not assessed. It will not help you get pupillage with us. We run these courses to provide an understanding of what the profession is like in order to help you decide whether it's for you and what areas of practice you might be suited to.

At the same time, applicants must demonstrate:

• Academic ability
• Evidence of motivation/ determination
• Interest in the law/ civil liberties/ justice system
• Relevant skills for a possible career at the Bar

Because mini-pupillage is intended solely to provide work-experience we give preference to those candidates whom we consider may gain the most from these courses. Considerations might include:

• Indecision about a career at the Bar
• No practical experience of the Bar
• Experience of out-of-London Chambers only
• Experience of traditional chambers only

The nature of the mini-pupillage course is such that candidates should have sufficient experience or qualifications to be able to take an active part in the week. Mini-pupils will attend court and conferences and take part in discussions with barristers and solicitors. They may be asked to do some work on cases or go to the library and conduct research.

Successful applicants will normally:

• Have completed at least two years of a law degree, or
• Be on, or accepted for, a CPE conversion course, or
• Have relevant legal interest or experience
• Except in exceptional circumstances be at least 20 years of age

Doughty Street Chambers also looks for evidence of an interest in an area of chambers work and/or a commitment to the welfare of others. This is very broad and might include:

• Personal experience of the justice system
• Experience with a charitable, voluntary, trade union, human rights or civil liberties organisation
• Indication that the candidate is aware of Chambers casework or specialisations and has some specific interest or experience in the area of work
• Thesis or dissertation at college/ university on some aspect of civil liberties work or other chambers specialisation

Doughty Street Chambers recognises that some candidates may face discrimination at the Bar. Mini-pupillage week forms part of our positive action policy where we aim to ensure that candidates from disadvantaged groups are well represented.

Doughty Street particularly encourages applications from women, people with disabilities, black and ethnic minority candidates and mature persons.

The Application Form

Our selection procedure for mini-pupillage is entirely dependent on your application form. It is therefore important that you complete this form as fully and accurately as possible.

All information you write is confidential. Please complete the application in black ink or type as forms will be photocopied and other colours may not copy well.

Fill in all sections. You do not have to fill up all the space provided.

Equal Opportunities: We operate an equal opportunities policy and we expect all successful applicants to support the policy actively. Applicants are expected to fill in the monitoring sections of the application form.

Education & Qualifications: Make sure that you give all the information requested. Also include here any special skills training.

Employment: This section should include any part-time or temporary work.

Experience & Relevant Skills: This is the most important section. There are two parts. The first relates to your skills, knowledge and experience. Take into account any paid or unpaid work you have done in the past and any work you are doing now. Include details of mini-pupillages and other legal work-experience. Do not forget to include any relevant voluntary work, community or civil liberties work, and relevant non-work experience, including skills acquired in running a home and/or organising a family if this has been a major part of your experience.

The second part is about what motivates you to apply to Doughty Street and to follow a career at the Bar.

If you have a disability or health problem it will not affect your application although it should be noted that our main building is only wheelchair accessible with portable ramps. If you would like to discuss your application or the nature of your disability in confidence, please contact the Administrator on 020 7404 1313.

How to apply for a mini-pupillage

Our next mini-pupillage course will be held 1st-5th September 2008. Deadline for applications 30th June 2008 (NB not 31st July as previously advertised).

To apply: you can download an information sheet by clicking here and the relevant application form in Word format by clicking here - you may fill it out either by word-processing it on computer (please use the tab key to move from one text entry point to the next ) or by printing out the blank form and completing it by hand in black ink. You should also read our Equal Opportunities Statement and fill in the Equal Opportunities Monitoring form which should be attached to your application. Alternatively you can request a hard copy of all these documents to be sent by post to your address - by email to c.atkinson@doughtystreet.co.uk or by telephone to our reception (020 7404 1313). Please complete and return both your application form and the equal opportunities monitoring form to: Mini-Pupillage Administrator, Doughty Street Chambers, 10-11 Doughty Street, London WC1N 2PL before 30th June 2008.

Please note that we do not consider any applications before the closing date and we cannot accept letters or CVs.