Why choose us? 

Doughty Street Chambers is a world class multi-disciplinary set of chambers committed to the promotion of human rights and civil liberties through the law.  We are immensely proud of our reputation for intellectual excellence and for providing a first-class service to our clients. 

Our barristers undertake Public Access work within both civil and criminal law, with a team-based, collegial approach on multi-disciplinary cases. 

Our pupillage training scheme offers the opportunity to work across a broad range of disciplines alongside barristers who are leading experts in their fields, with potential opportunity to specialise later on. 

To read more about our specialist areas of practice please click here

What type of pupillage is offered? 

Chambers regularly reviews the type of pupillages offered as part of our wider recruitment strategy. 

Pupillage Year Types of Pupillages
2021-22  2 General pupils and 1 x Specialist Crime pupil. 
2022-23 

2 General pupils,  

Specialist pupils - 1 x Crime, 1 Health & Human Rights, and 1 x Employment & Immigration.  

2023-24 

2 General pupils,  

Specialist pupils - 1 x Housing & social welfare, and 1 x crime. 

2024-25 

2 General pupils, 

Specialist pupils – 1 x Court of Protection, 1 x Employment and 1 x Media.

2025-2026 

We are currently recruiting via the Pupillage Gateway for 3 Specialist Pupils as follows:  

1 x Media & Information  

1 x Crime 

1 x Health & Human Rights 

 

Timetable for Recruitment 

Applications open on Wednesday 3 January 2024 (12.01am) and will close on Wednesday 7 February (11:59pm). 

The sifting of applications and interviews will take place throughout February and March. 

Final interviews are scheduled for Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 April

 

How is Pupillage Structured? 

Pupillage lasts for 12 months and starts in October each year. It is divided into two parts: a non-practising period, usually lasting six months, and a practising period, usually lasting six months. 

During the non-practising period, pupils shadow their supervisors and other members of Chambers, conduct research for cases and assist with drafting.  Once pupils are ‘on their feet’ during the practising period, they are instructed in their own cases and appear in in courts throughout England and Wales. Our general pupils rotate through three ‘seats’ with three different supervisors during the twelve months of pupillage. These seats include a mix of criminal and civil law to ensure pupils are exposed to a wide range of cases.  Pupils have input into their final seat, which is usually in a practice area that particularly interests them. General pupils, and specialist crime pupils, are often matched with a junior criminal practitioner in the last few weeks of non-practising pupillage to ensure they are fully acquainted with the procedures of the Magistrates and Crown Courts.   

Specialist pupils will usually have three seats with at least two supervisors in their specialist practice area. The third seat may be with a supervisor from a different practice area to ensure diversity of practice. Specialist civil pupils are not allocated a criminal supervisor and do not receive instructions in criminal cases in their practising period. Pupil supervisors introduce pupils to other members of Chambers and oversee work allocation to ensure an appropriate amount of work. During the practising period, pupils have a combination of court work and paperwork of their own, as well as assisting their supervisors and other members of chambers to continue their training.   Pupils can expect to be in court 3 - 5 times a week. 

 

What support is available to pupils? 

As well as support from pupil supervisors throughout pupillage, and feedback on all written work, Doughty Street pupils benefit from the following: 

Prior to the commencement of Pupillage an invitation to chambers to meet with the People Team in addition to an informal lunch with junior members of chambers. 

An induction at the start of pupillage where pupils are introduced to supervisors, staff, members, and guided through our policies and procedures.  

Unassessed training sessions for pupils to practise advocacy, learn specialist skills, and gain practical insight into a career as a barrister and business development. 

Monthly reviews that allow for self-reflection followed by feedback from supervisors. 

Each pupil is allocated a ‘buddy’. This is a junior member of Chambers who is not involved in the assessment process and provides pupils with pastoral advice and support. 

The Pupillage Committee, People Team, clerks, and relevant support from all chambers staff and infrastructure.  

Initiatives and events organised by the Wellbeing Team. 

 

How is Pupillage Assessed? 

Upon successful completion of pupillage, pupils are invited to apply for tenancy.  

Throughout pupillage, casework and research are normally organised through supervisors, which may involve work for other members of chambers.  Feedback is provided on all written work and feedback contributes to pupils’ tenancy applications. Pupil supervisors write a final report on each pupil, as well as the senior clerks, and each pupil participates in an advocacy assessment and interview.  

Each pupil has been selected from a considerable pool of applicants. They will have received high quality training, guidance, and supervision from a significant number of members of Chambers and should therefore have all the ability and opportunities to succeed. Doughty Street pupils are not competing with each other and are assessed on their own individual merit.  

 

What do we offer? 

The pupillage award for 2025-26 pupils is £50,000, which is made up of a grant of £40,000 in addition to guaranteed earnings of £10,000 in the practising period of pupillage.  

Additionally, pupils receive a travel grant of £1,600 (allocated in the first payment) to cover travel expenses as pupils choose (e.g., Zone 1 to 2 travel card or via the purchase of a bike etc). Pupils can claim back receipted travel expenses for attending court and/or conferences with their supervisor outside of London but in England or Wales.  

Chambers is committed to selecting the best candidates irrespective of their personal circumstances.  We do not accept unfunded pupils.  

 

Prerequisites for Pupillage 

Prior to applying for pupillage all candidates must: 

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); AND 

Be scheduled to complete, prior to commencement of pupillage, a post-graduate BSB approved Bar Course, previously the BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course) or another England and Wales bar qualification (e.g. Bar Transfer Test). 

 

What are we looking for in Potential Pupils? 

We are looking for intelligent, independent, committed individuals who are interested in the spread of work available in Doughty Street. We wish for pupils to be of the highest ethical and professional calibre. We look for pupils who are ready to learn. We look for people who are co-operative and willing to assist pupil supervisors and other tenants in the general practice of Doughty Street. We look for pupils who are committed to improving access to justice and to promoting human rights and civil liberties through the law. 

Applicants for a specialist pupillage must be committed to practising in that practice area should they succeed in becoming a tenant in Chambers. 

We encourage candidates to give us a full picture of any mitigating circumstances within the application form. 

 

Selection Criteria 

When assessing pupillage application forms, we score on the basis of two main criteria according to a prescribed points system: ‘Intellectual Ability’ and ‘Dedication’. Additional relevant criteria may be used for specialist pupillages to measure specific interest and commitment to the relevant practice area. 

Intellectual Ability 

Intellectual ability is assessed in most cases on academic qualifications supported by research, experience or publications which demonstrate knowledge and use of intellect. Applicants should seek to evidence exceptional academic achievement at undergraduate, postgraduate or professional level, or exceptional ability in a non-academic context.  

Dedication 

The Dedication category rewards those with demonstrated motivation, commitment and drive, particularly but not exclusively, in relation to civil liberties and the welfare of others. For specialist pupillages we are also looking for evidence of dedication to the relevant practice area.  

Experiences that demonstrate dedication in unrelated fields will not be rewarded as highly as achievements and experiences related to our values but may still be relevant.   

 

Our Selection Process 

We usually receive over 300 applications. Last year we received over 600 applications in total. 

Those applying for a specialist pupillage cannot also apply for, and will not be considered for, our general pupillages.  

Applications are first considered on paper by members of chambers. If an application makes it through paper sifts the candidate will then be invited for a first-round interview.  We intend to interview around 40 to 50 candidates in the first round for all pupillage places on offer (including through the Guaranteed Interview Scheme).  After this, approximately 16 to 18 candidates will be invited for second (and final) interviews.  

The first-round interviews are conducted by a team of two practitioners.  They are scheduled for approximately 15-20 minutes and focus on a hypothetical question, which is given to candidates fifteen minutes prior to the interview. This may be followed by topical questions. 

The second-round interview is conducted by a panel of at least 3 members, including one King’s Counsel and one staff member. They are scheduled for 25-30 minutes and involve a presentation by the candidate based on a written submission. The presentation topic will be provided to the candidate at least 48 hours in advance of the interview.  

The hypothetical question and presentation topic require no specialist knowledge. However, candidates are expected to have an interest in, and general understanding of, legal matters. These exercises are designed to test intellectual and analytical skills, written and oral advocacy. They may require a general knowledge of current affairs, equal opportunities, or legal issues.  Further questions are designed to assess ethical judgement and personal qualities such as resilience, motivation and dynamism, and commitment to civil liberties and human rights. 

For those applying for a specialist pupillage, candidates will be expected to demonstrate their interest in that subject area. 

 

The Pupillage Gateway 

Chambers is part of the Bar Council Pupillage Gateway scheme which allows potential pupils to apply to up to 20 participating sets. Full details of our vacancies and awards are published on the Pupillage Gateway website. Please click here for more details. 

If you have any queries regarding the pupillage application or selection process, please email: recruitment@doughtystreet.co.uk or call on 020 7404 1313. 

 

Equal Opportunities statement 

Doughty Street Chambers is committed to creating a diverse workspace and to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of merit.   

We encourage and welcome applications from women, ethnically diverse, neurodiverse and disabled, those who identify as LGBTQ+, as well as candidates from other underrepresented groups. 

Chambers complies with the Bar Standards Board Code of Conduct Equality Rules, the BSB Handbook Equality Rules supporting information, and the Bar Council’s Fair Recruitment Guide . Chambers has a policy that covers reasonable adjustments for members, pupils, staff and service users. 

 

Guaranteed Interview Scheme  

As part of our work as a Disability Confident Employer, under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS), Doughty Street Chambers will offer a guaranteed interview to pupillage candidates who are Disabled within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010, if they meet the minimum requirements of the position for which they have applied and subject to a cap on interviews offered under the GIS.  

The minimum requirements for pupillage recruitment are calculated as a minimum combined score across our criteria of intellectual ability and dedication. These are set each year by the Pupillage Committee in consultation with Chambers’ Equality & Diversity Officer and the Disability Working Group, with final approval from the Management Board.  

Applications will be considered under GIS if candidates declare a disability and meet the minimum requirements. It does not depend on a candidate requesting reasonable adjustments. If a candidate wishes to be considered under the Scheme, they must send a separate email confirming this to the email address: recruitment@doughtystreet.co.uk  

If a candidate does not disclose, they are disabled in advance of the sifting of their application in any given year, this will mean they cannot be guaranteed an interview, even if they meet the minimum requirements for pupillage, because we will not know that they are eligible. All disclosures and related discussions will be treated in a confidential manner.  

 

Cap  

Only the top 20 scoring candidates who meet the minimum requirement and are eligible for consideration under the GIS will be offered an interview through this scheme. This cap will be distributed proportionately to applications across the pupillage places offered.  

 

Reasonable Adjustments 

If you are disabled, you are entitled to reasonable adjustments during the application and recruitment process. Reasonable adjustments might include (but are not limited to) a large print application form, ensuring ease of physical access to interviews, the use of assistive technology during interviews, or extra time provided for interviews. 

Should you wish to discuss reasonable adjustments or anything else relating to disability, including a psychosocial disability, or neurodiversity in connection with this recruitment, we welcome and encourage you to do so by contacting: recruitment@doughtystreet.co.uk

The entitlement to reasonable adjustments if you are disabled applies whether or not you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. 

 

Mitigating Circumstances 

We encourage candidates to give us a full picture of any mitigating circumstances such as bereavement, caring responsibilities, or any circumstances arising from disability, neurodiversity, or health conditions which have had a notable effect on your application. You are not obliged to share this information, but if you choose to do so, it will be considered during the selection process.  It will not be shared more widely. 

 

Contacting us regarding your application 

Should you wish to discuss reasonable adjustments, the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, anything else relating to a disability, or mitigating circumstances in connection with this recruitment, in confidence please contact Doughty Street Chambers: recruitment@doughtystreet.co.uk