Pupillage

Chambers has a relaxed but professional attitude towards pupils and encourages them to experience all varieties of work, with as many Members of Chambers as possible. Pupils are allocated a Pupil Supervisor for each six month period and that person is responsible for ensuring that the pupil has the appropriate grounding for a successful career at the Bar.

Chambers offers up to two 12 month pupillages in any given year. The Pupillage Committee retain the discretion to increase or decrease the numbers of pupillages available. Chambers complies with the requirements of the Bar Code of Conduct, the Equality Code for the Bar, and the Pupillage Guidelines. Chambers do not discriminate on basis of race, sex, sexual orientation or disability. Chambers has a monitoring procedure in place to ensure that the pupillage selection criteria does not discriminate either directly or indirectly against pupils on the grounds of race, sex, sexual orientation or disability. The Equality Officer is Tim Dracass and all pupillage monitoring documents are passed to him for safe keeping and for collating statistics. All applicants for pupillage are considered solely on merits in accordance with this policy

To apply, applications should be made on Chambers own application form, which can be downloaded here

The application form must then be completed and returned to Chambers, addressed to Lee Young, Head of Pupillage, by 1st September each year for a pupillage to commence the following year.

Selection of Pupils:

A Pupillage Panel compromising of at least four Members of Chambers, chaired by the Head of Pupillage, meets once a year to recruit pupils. Eighteen Carlton Crescent is not a member of OLPAS and the selection of pupils takes place according to the process detailed below.

At least two Members of the Pupillage Committee consider the application forms and award points in accordance with Chambers’ selection criteria.

Chambers normally interviews approximately twenty people, who will be those with the highest scores from above. They will be given an advocacy exercise and a written exercise to complete during the interview stage. They will be asked a series of questions by the Pupillage Panel. All applicants are asked the same or very similar questions. Candidates are awarded points in accordance with the selection criteria. The person(s) with the highest score(s) are awarded the pupillage.

If necessary, second interviews will be held. This will involve a further advocacy exercise and further questioning from the Pupillage Panel. The candidate with the highest score is awarded the pupillage.

Selection Criteria:

1. Academic ability (up to 5 points awarded) as evidenced by: BVC results, degree results, scholarships and prizes. We do not discriminate against those who have come via an unconventional route eg. those who have taken an access course.

2. Analytical ability (up to 5 points awarded) as evidenced by: the ability to answer questions set at interview and provide a reasoned argument for conclusions reached. This may also be demonstrated by experience of mooting, debating and subjects covered at the academic stage or by work experience.

3. Advocacy skills (up to 5 points awarded) candidates will be required to perform much advocacy in their second six months in these Chambers. They must demonstrate by experience of public speaking, debating and mooting. It may also be demonstrated by work experience, recreational activities, and topics covered during academic study. At the interview stage the advocacy exercise may be a helpful indicator but will be balanced against other advocacy experience.

4. Commitment to the Bar and to the Western Circuit (up to 5 points awarded): it is likely that any candidate applying to Chambers will have a high degree of commitment to the Bar and the area. It can be demonstrated by mini-pupillages undertaken and the overall presentation of the application.

5. Personality (up to 5 points awarded): this can encompass the whole application. Chambers are looking for people who are well rounded, enthusiastic and have some interests outside of the law.

Financing of Pupillage:

Chambers offers up to two funded twelve month pupillages. Payment of the grant will be the responsibility of the Head of the Pupillage Committee, in consultation with the Clerks and Management Committee. The grant will be paid over the course of the pupillage in monthly instalments.

Structure of Pupillage:

Pupillage usually commences on the first Monday in October.

Pupils are allocated a separate Pupil Supervisor for the non-practising and practising six months. They are encouraged to see a variety of work during pupillage and to attend court with other Tenants in Chambers.

Roles and Duties of Pupil Supervisors:

Pupil Supervisors have been approved by their respective Inns of Court, their names appear on the current Register of Pupil Supervisors and they must ensure attendance at the appropriate briefing session provided by their Inn.

Pupil Supervisors are required to:

Permit their pupils to see their papers (other than those papers they deem unsuitable)
Supervise and comment upon the work of their pupil
Ensure their pupil attends Court with him/her or another Member of Chambers in appropriate cases
Ensure their pupil sees the work of junior tenants
Supervise any work received by the pupil in his/her own right as far as reasonably practical

Roles and Duties of Pupils:
Dress Code:
1. Pupils must ensure that they are appropriately dressed when at Court, in Chambers or on Chambers’ business. Dark suits must be worn. Male pupils must wear a tie. Female pupils may wear trouser suits if they wish.

2. All Second Six month pupils must have their own wig, gown and court bands. First Six month pupils may be requested to wear their wig and gown, particularly if their pupillage is a criminal one. This should be discussed with their Pupil Supervisor during their induction to Chambers.

Hours of Work:
1. Pupils are required to be in Chambers between the hours of 9am and 6pm unless at court with their Pupil Supervisor or any other Member of Chambers. Pupils may on occasion be required outside those hours either at home or in Chambers, but this will be the exception rather than the rule.

2. Pupils are entitled to a one hour break at lunchtime. There may be some occasions where this is not possible, but once again, this will be the exception rather than the rule.

Holidays:
1. Pupils are entitled to four weeks leave per annum, two weeks during the first six months and two weeks during the second six months. Pupils must discuss their annual leave with their Pupil Supervisor before making any firm arrangements and ensure that they give sufficient notice. Second six pupils must ensure that they do not take leave during any time where court work has been booked for them.

Sick Leave:
1. If pupils are unable to attend work through illness they must contact their Pupil Supervisor and the Clerks as soon as possible, especially if they are a second six pupil and booked in court.

2. If their sickness amounts to more than five days, the Bar Council must be notified and their pupillage start date may be altered accordingly.

Paperwork:
1. During their pupillage pupils will be expected to undertake paperwork for both their Pupil Supervisor and other Members of Chambers. They will be expected to do at least nine pieces of paperwork for Members of Chambers other than the Pupil Supervisor during their first six months.

2. When undertaking paperwork from other Tenants, pupils should where possible ensure that their Pupil Supervisor is aware of this. They must ensure that they are aware of when the paperwork is required to be completed by and that they are able to meet that deadline. If they are unable to complete any paperwork within the specified time because of other work commitments they should discuss this with the relevant Tenant and/or their Pupil Supervisor. They must keep a copy of all paperwork that they complete.

3. Pupils’ paperwork will be monitored by their Pupil Supervisor and feedback from their Pupil Supervisor or relevant Tenant will be given on all paperwork completed.

4. Paperwork may be taken home, but where any brief is removed from Chambers for any period of time, permission must be obtained from the Clerks and the Tenant concerned.

5. Pupils should ensure that whenever they are undertaking paperwork for any Tenant in Chambers that the Tenant know at all times, where they can locate the papers.

Court Work:
1. Pupils must ensure that they are familiar with court etiquette, any queries or concerns should be discussed with their Pupil Supervisor before they attend court.

2. When attending court with their Pupil Supervisor or any other Members of Chambers, a full note of the hearing must be taken unless the pupil has been told otherwise. This includes opening speeches, examination in chief, cross-examination, closing speeches and judgment. Pupils must also keep a record of the case name, number and times of court hearing. These notes should be kept available and accessible to their Pupil Supervisor.

3. Second six month pupils will be expected to conduct their own court work. Pupils will still be expected to keep in contact with their Pupil Supervisors and attend court with them on days when they are not in court. Pupils will still be expected to complete paperwork for their Pupil Supervisor.

4. A diary of all work undertaken must be logged and kept available and accessible to their Pupil Supervisor.

Conduct:
1. Pupils must ensure that they are familiar with the Code of Conduct of the Bar and that they conduct themselves in accordance with that code at all times.

Clerks:
1. The Clerks must be informed of pupils’ whereabouts during working hours. If pupils leave Chambers they must inform the Clerks and they must ensure that they are contactable by them.

Transport:
1. Pupils are expected to arrange their own transport to and from court. Any problems regarding transport should be discussed with their Pupil Supervisor and they will endeavour to assist.
2. There are no parking facilities available for pupils in Chambers.

Chambers Facilities:
1. Pupils will be allocated their own work space. This is usually in the room of their Pupil Supervisor or in the library. All pupils have access to the Chambers computer, photocopier and library

2. Pupils are expected to assist the librarian and ensure that periodicals are updated.

Security:
1. All Second Six pupils will be given a key and security code to allow access to Chambers out of working hours. Pupils must ensure that the key and code are kept secure and that they are familiar with the security system.

Finance:
1. If pupils are experiencing any financial difficulties, these should be discussed with their Pupil Supervisor who will do all necessary to assist

Grievance Procedure:
1. If pupils have any complaint or grievance they should speak to their Pupil Supervisor or the Head of Pupillage. The complaint will then be dealt with in accordance with the Chambers’ grievance procedure.

2. If the complaint is with reference to work allocated to them or other pupils, sex discrimination or race discrimination, their Pupil Supervisor will report the matter to the Head of Chambers who will then deal with the complaint in accordance with the grievance procedure.

3. If the complaint is so serious that the Chambers’ grievance procedure is unable to provide a satisfactory solution the pupil will be advised to report the matter direct to the Bar Council.

4. Pupils must ensure that they familiarise themselves with Chambers’

grievance procedure, a copy of which will be given to pupils at their induction.

5. If for any reason pupils are unable to speak with their Pupil Supervisor they may wish to report the matter to their Pupillage representative.

Pupillage Representative:
1. Chambers have two representatives whose roles are to advise, assist and befriend pupils. Pupils will be told who they are at their induction and given their home and mobile telephone numbers. They will meet with pupils in the early part of their pupillage and discuss their role. Any matters concerning pupillage may be raised with them in confidence.

Health & Safety:
1. Chambers has a health and safety policy. A copy will be given to pupils at their induction. It is the pupils’ duty to ensure that they are familiar with this document and that they conduct themselves in accordance with that policy.

Education and Training:
1. Pupils must ensure that they undertake the continuing education programme as provided by the Bar Council. This includes the “Advice to Counsel Course” and the “Advocacy Training Course”. Failure to complete these courses may result in the revocation of the pupils’ practising certificate.

Registration of Pupillage:
1. It is pupils’ responsibility to ensure that their pupillage is registered with the Bar Council and that the Bar Council is informed of any changes of circumstances.

Checklist:
1. Pupils will be given a copy of the Bar Council Checklists by their Pupil Supervisor. This must be completed by pupils with assistance and guidance from their Pupil Supervisor. It is advisable to complete this checklist at regular intervals during their pupillage.

Pupillage Review:
1. Pupils must ensure that they attend all pupillage review meetings. These will be held every three months with the pupil, their Pupil Superviser and the Head of Pupillage Committee. This will be an opportunity to receive feedback and discuss matters relevant to their pupillage.

THE FIRST SIX MONTHS –

All pupils are expected to do nine pieces of paperwork for Members of Chambers, other than their Pupil Supervisor
All pupils are expected to spend one day in the Clerks’ Room to help them understand how the Clerks’ Room operates
All pupils are expected to spend a short period of time working with the local CPS (this is a requirement of the Western Circuit). The Clerks will make all the necessary arrangements in liaison with the pupil and the Head of the Pupillage Committee

THE SECOND SIX MONTHS –

Pupils will be in court undertaking their own work. They are still expected to keep in contact with their Pupil Supervisor and attend court with them on days when they do no have their own work. They are expected to do paperwork for their Pupil Supervisor.
It is compulsory for pupils to undertake the continuing education programme as provided for by the Bar Council. This includes the “Advice to Counsel Course” and “Advocacy Training Course”. Pupils may also attend the voluntary courses offered by the Inns and others, and are strongly encouraged to do so, but if any course is during the working day, the pupil must first obtain the consent of their Pupil Supervisor.

Third Six Month Pupillages:

Chambers welcomes applications for third six month pupillages. Applications should be made by sending a CV with covering letter and stamped addressed envelope. Again, applications should be addressed to Lee Young, Head of Pupillage, and the envelope should be marked “3rd Six Application". Chambers are willing to consider applications throughout the year and usually a candidate will be required to attend for interview.

Taking Pupils On As Tenants:

Chambers has a strong tradition of recruiting Members from its own pupils.

A Pupil will be invited to apply one month before their pupillage ends. The application will be considered at a Chambers Meeting.

All decisions on the recruitment of pupils will be taken at a Chambers Meeting by Ordinary Resolution.

A pupil shall only be eligible for Membership of Chambers if they are a barrister who intends to supply legal services as a Barrister in independent practice, within the Code of Conduct.

A pupil who is eligible for Membership of Chambers, shall become a Member only if:

They are invited by Ordinary Resolution of a Chambers’ Meeting which shall have due regard to any strongly expressed opposition
The candidates accepts the invitaton
The candidate signs the Appendix to the Chambers Articles of Association and Heads of Agreement to signify their willingness to be bound thereby