Pupillage Applications are now closed.
At Albion Chambers we are committed to ensuring that our pupils receive comprehensive and closely monitored training in a friendly and supportive environment. Our pupillage training procedures have been developed in accordance with the Bar Council’s Code of Conduct and are subject to annual audits.
During a pupillage at Albion Chambers you can expect to experience a broad range of subjects under the guidance of at least two pupil supervisors, within our principal practice areas. You will be expected to undertake paperwork and advocacy exercises, and to attend conferences and Court with your pupil supervisor throughout your pupillage. Our training provides the opportunity for structured feedback and discussion, and ensures that the requirements of the Bar Council’s checklist are achieved.
In addition to work with your pupil supervisor you will be given the opportunity to accompany junior tenants to court. This is intended to provide the new advocate with a valuable and relevant insight into the types of cases normally conducted by pupils in their second six months.
We encourage and support any pupil, who wishes, to undertake work from Advocate.
Funding
Pupillages secured through the Pupillage Gateway will attract an award of £15,000 which is paid in monthly instalments during the first six months of pupillage. Some of this award, on request may be paid upfront to assist with relocation costs.
We also guarantee further earnings of £15,000 during the second six months; however our recent experience has been that pupils have been extremely busy and have earned far in excess of this figure. The current rate of contribution to chambers’ expenses will be charged on fees received during this period.
The cost of attending any necessary external training will be funded by Chambers. We will also fund travel to all professional commitments during the first six months of pupillage.
Applying for Pupillage
Albion Chambers is a member of the Pupillage Gateway and currently selects during the summer season. It is important to note that any applications received out of this scheme must be refused.
Applicants who are exempt from the Pupillage Funding and Advertising Requirements 2003 are not excluded from the Pupillage Gateway and should usually apply for pupillage using the Pupillage Gateway procedure. Applications made directly to chambers will only be considered where a candidate has an established track record in the area of expertise in which they wish to practise at the Bar.
Third-six pupillages
Consistently recognised in Chambers and Partners and Legal 500, our crime and family teams are amongst the largest and strongest on the Western Circuit, and enjoy ever-increasing workloads, so are seeking to expand.
Applications are invited from excellent specialist practitioners at all levels, including third-six pupils, in crime, children law and matrimonial finance.
If you are interested in joining us, and sharing our success, please call for an initial discussion, or apply enclosing your CV, to: Nick Jeanes, Chambers Director nick.jeanes@albionchambers.co.uk.
Mini-pupillage
At Albion Chambers, we feel that mini-pupillages are an essential way for individuals intending or contemplating a career at the Bar to gain experience.
A mini-pupillage with Albion Chambers will last for a minimum of two days. Mini-pupils may shadow Barristers in court or remote hearings, conferences, negotiations or advocates meetings. Mini-pupils may be invited to analyse case papers and conduct legal research.
Applications are welcomed from those interested in Crime and Family Law. Applications in other areas may be considered on request, subject to availability. Albion Chambers welcomes applications from those who have completed the first year of their degree and beyond.
Please note that Albion Chambers is committed to providing 50% of our mini-pupillages to those who identify as BAME and/or who attended a state school. To increase the accessibility of our Mini-pupillages, reasonable travel expenses will also be reimbursed where applicable, at Chambers’ discretion.
Application Windows
Albion Chambers offers two windows for mini-pupillage applications each year:
- 1st – 28th February
- 1st – 31st July
Applicants in the February window will be informed whether their application has been successful by 31st March. Successful applicants will then undertake a mini-pupillage between 1st April and 1st July.
Applicants in the July window will be informed whether their application has been successful by 31st August. Successful applicants will then undertake a mini-pupillage between 1st September – 31st January.
Please note any application made outside of the application window will not be considered.
Application Requirements
Applicants are required to provide the following:
- A covering email (maximum 275 words) setting out:
- Whether you have applied to Chambers for a mini-pupillage before and if so, when
- Which area of law you are interested in (highlighted in bold) and why
- Why you are interested in undertaking a mini-pupillage with Albion Chambers
- Your availability in the period applied for (highlighted in bold)
- Any other information you feel is relevant to your application
- A curriculum vitae (maximum two pages)
- A completed equalities and monitoring questionnaire (see link).
Poor formatting, spelling, punctuation or grammar may result in your application being refused. Typed text in both the email and CV should be Arial font size 12.
Applications should be emailed to mini-pupillage@albionchambers.co.uk with the words ‘Mini-pupillage Application’ and your name typed in the subject header.
Please note: if you are successful and offered a mini-pupillage during the dates provided, we cannot thereafter accommodate requests to change the date, so please take particular care when specifying your availability.
We look forward to receiving your application and thereafter providing you with an informative and enjoyable experience with Albion Chambers.