Pupillage

Chambers is part of the OLPAS scheme which allows potential pupils to apply to 12 OLPAS sets with a single application. See http://olpas.gti.co.uk.

Full details of our vacancies and awards are published on the OLPAS website and duplicated in the Chambers Pupillages and Awards Handbook produced by the General Council of the Bar. We are also represented each Spring at the pupillage fair held in the Inns of Court.

Q: How many pupils do you take?

In 2008 we will select a maximum of three pupils to start in October 2009, all of whom will be offered twelve-month pupillages.

Q: Do you give an award during pupillage?

Pupils starting in October 2009 will receive an overall guaranteed payment of £25,000, with an outright award of £20,000 and a guaranteed earnings of an additional £5,000. A travelcard is also provided for Zones 1 & 2. Second-six pupils can claim back travel expenses for non-paying courts outside of Zone 3.

First-six pupils have very limited opportunities to increase their income and are largely dependent on the award from chambers. Second-six pupils will be billing work from the start of their pupillage and, with graduated fees, can expect to receive payment within the first month of their pupillage.

Q: Do you take unfunded pupils?

No. Although it may not be the case that unfunded pupils are better off, there are many pupils who simply cannot afford to undertake unfunded pupillages. Chambers is committed to selecting the best candidates and, irrespective of their personal circumstances, providing each pupil with a pupillage award.

Q Is Doughty Street Chambers part of the OLPAS scheme?

Yes. We accept applications in the summer season. All applications for pupillage will have to be made on the OLPAS application form. To register with OLPAS see http://olpas.gti.co.uk.

Q What if I am ineligible for the OLPAS scheme?

Applicants who are exempt from OLPAS are requested to apply to us either on an OLPAS form or by following the format of the OLPAS form and in line with the OLPAS timetable so that all applicants are considered together.

Q What are you looking for in potential pupils?

Chambers looks for intelligent, independent, applied individuals who are interested in our specialist areas of work. They must be highly motivated, ready to learn and of the highest ethical and professional calibre. They must also be committed to use the law to assist the disadvantaged and support the Chambers commitment to civil liberties, human rights and support for the Legal Aid system. Ultimately we are looking for pupils who are potential candidates for tenancy.

Q What criteria do you use for selecting pupils for interview?

In assessing the application forms we are primarily looking for evidence of intellectual ability, motivation and commitment to the welfare of others.

Intellectual ability is assessed in most cases on academic qualifications supported by research, experience or publications which demonstrate knowledge and use of intellect. Our minimum degree requirement is a 2(ii) in any subject.

Motivation, or determination to succeed, may be demonstrated through academic, professional, sports or other achievement, through overcoming obstacles or difficulties such as studying while raising a family, or through involvement in community, trade union, civil liberties or other work.

Commitment to the welfare of others might involve community or educational work, caring for dependants, civil liberties or human rights work, involvement in voluntary organisations, fundraising, legal support work.

It is not essential to score highly in all of the above. A candidate in a professional position may demonstrate high levels of achievement but have had limited time to commit to community or other activities. Similarly a candidate with a 2(ii) may score highly in other areas and be short listed for interview.

Q How many people apply to Chambers and how many do you interview?

We usually receive between 500 and 650 applications.

We have two rounds of interview. In the first round we interview around 50 applicants. From this group not more than twenty will be offered second interviews.

Q How are the interviews conducted and assessed?

The first round interviews are conducted by 4-5 teams of two practitioners. They are scheduled for 15-20 minutes and focus on a hypothetical question which is given to candidates five minutes prior to the interview.

The second round interviews are conducted by three practitioners of which at least one will be a senior member of chambers. They are scheduled for 20-25 minutes and involve a presentation by the candidate. The presentation topic will have been provided to the candidate at least 24 hours in advance of the interview.

The hypothetical question and presentation topic require no specialist knowledge. Candidates are however expected to have an interest in, and general understanding of, legal matters. These exercises are designed to test your ability to think on your feet, articulate an argument, presentational and persuasive skills, and judgement. The question may require a general knowledge of current affairs, equal opportunities, legal issues or law.

Other questions are designed to assess personal qualities such as temperament, sense of humour, client skills, organisational skills, commitment; general knowledge of current affairs, equal opportunities or legal issues; and legal interests.

Q Do you expect your pupils to have done mini-pupillage with you?

No. We do offer mini-pupillages but these are organised as a week-long course for 12 students and are designed purely for work experience. The selection criteria for mini-pupillage are different from the selection criteria for pupillage and it is quite possible that someone rejected for mini-pupillage will be selected for pupillage.

In considering applications for pupillage we give little weight to mini-pupillages and candidates gain nothing at all from having done more than two. The value of mini-pupillages varies considerably and some candidates, such as those in work or with dependants, do not have the opportunity to undertake them.

Q How are supervisors allocated?

Twelve month pupils will have two supervisors, one for first-six pupillage and another for second-six. We will allocate supervisors according to your work preferences. Prior to your pupillage you will be invited to meet with your proposed supervisors and each of you will assess whether you're happy to work together. If not, then a new supervisor will be selected.

Pupils undertaking training focused primarily on civil work will also be allocated a mentor from the criminal team who will provide support in criminal work. Occasionally first-six pupils are also matched up with junior criminal practitioners in the last few weeks of non-practising pupillage to ensure that they are fully acquainted with the procedures of the Magistrates and Crown Courts.

Q Will I get to see a range of work?

All pupils are encouraged to gain wide experience of Chambers work. Your supervisor is responsible for introducing you to members of chambers and once you know your way around you can approach practitioners directly.

Second-six pupils will normally have some court work and paperwork of their own. All second-six pupils will be expected to undertake work in the Magistrates Court and may appear in the Crown Court, County Court, High Court or Privy Council. Pupils can expect to be in court 3-5 times a week.

It is important that pupils undertake work for practitioners other than their supervisor. This is partly because it is important to see a range of work and a range of styles but also because a pupil needs to demonstrate to several practitioners that s/he is a suitable candidate for tenancy.

Q What facilities do you have for pupils in chambers?

Pupils do not have their own desk but will be allocated a locker and will have access to workspace, computers, on-line research facilities, personal (voice) mailbox, email address, IT backup and administrative services. Pupils can either work in rooms with their supervisors or work in one of the two libraries. Most pupils prefer to work together in the libraries as this provides greater freedom and support.

Q How is pupillage organised?

When pupils start at Chambers they have an induction session with the Chief Executive to familiarise them with our systems and procedures. Sessions are also arranged with the librarian, the administrator, the IT manager and one of the senior clerking staff.

Your supervisor will meet with you regularly to discuss allocation of work and the progress of your pupillage. At the end of three months your supervisor will conduct a formal assessment of the work you have done. This will include looking at the feedback from other practitioners, the structure and development of your pupillage and the requirements of the Bar Council pupillage checklists.

Every quarter pupils meet with the Chief Executive. These meetings are arranged to ensure that pupillages are going well and to discuss any problems or concerns. The Chief Executive is responsible for raising issues with supervisors or other members of chambers on behalf of pupils (individually or collectively) and for developing good pupillage practice.

Casework and research is normally fed through supervisors although pupils may approach practitioners directly. After each piece of work the practitioner must complete an evaluation form and return it to the pupil. These forms are held by the supervisor and become part of the formal assessment of the pupil for tenancy.

During pupillage pupils will complete three pieces of assessed work. They will also have an advocacy test and an interview as part of the tenancy selection process at the end of pupillage.

Chambers arranges in-house training for pupils and funds all compulsory training courses.

A comprehensive pupillage policy has been agreed by chambers and details the obligations on chambers, on the supervisor and on the pupil. It also sets out the procedures for tenancy recruitment and squatting arrangements. An equal opportunities policy incorporating a grievance procedure and harassment policy is also applicable to pupils.

Q How much can I expect to earn during second-six pupillage?

This varies according to the kind of work you do and the opportunities that arise during your pupillage. If you are given a junior brief then you will earn considerably more than if you spend most of your pupillage in the Magistrates Court. Assessing a practitioner's income can be quite complicated. You might bill (invoice) a piece of work but not receive payment for several months.

As a guide you should be able to bill between £5,000 and £15,000 during pupillage. You may however receive as little as £2,000 during pupillage.

Q What are the chances of getting tenancy?

Chambers currently has a policy of recruiting one junior tenant from pupillage each year, providing that there is a suitable candidate. Selection is made irrespective of the area of law that candidates ultimately wish to practise in. For the first two years the junior tenant is required to cover any work required by Chambers although this is usually combined effectively with the junior tenant's work preferences.

If Chambers has a vacancy in a particular field of work and that vacancy is not filled through the annual recruitment process then the vacancy is advertised. All former pupils are entitled to apply.