Chambers has been a pre-eminent and successful specialist set since the beginning of the Family Bar.

The financial aspects of divorce are undergoing significant re-evaluation in the courts, and we consider that the future for specialist financial practitioners at the Family Bar is both secure and exciting.

Chambers work is principally focused on private financial ancillary relief work (ie - financial provision post divorce), most of which involves high value claims.  At present, Chambers pupil supervisors all specialise in this area, although pupils will see other financial claims in the wider family context (viz - under the Inheritance Act,  between cohabitants, under the Civil Partnership Act and the Children Act), as well as a small number of private law child cases. 

Work seen during pupillage will tend to be high-profile, as well as high value, and may have an international element.  Pupils will also encounter related areas of law, eg -  tax, company and trust law. Work done will be challenging but confidence building.

Applicants need to appreciate that there is not a great deal of work for pupils in their second six months.

We are looking for pupils with ability, application and the potential to be first-rate advocates. Good communication skills are essential. Applicants will also need to demonstrate their interest in family law.  A minimum of a 2.1 degree is required. Numeracy and computer skills are also necessary.

Chambers looks to offer three twelve-month funded pupillages of  £25,000 pa each. Pupils spend four months each with three different supervisors. Generally, we take on one new junior tenant a year, who we hope will be recruited from our pupils.

Chambers operates an Equal Opportunity policy in respect of all aspects, including pupillage and recruitment.

Chambers is not a member of OLPAS although it follows the OLPAS Summer season timetable (see the OLPAS website).

Applications for pupillage

Applications are now open for pupillages in 2009/2010 (commencing  October 2009).  Applications close at noon on 9 June 2008.

Applications should be sent, with a CV and hand-written covering letter, marked 'Pupillage Application' and addressed to Christian Kenny. Please include an e-mail address if available. 

Some candidates will be invited to attend an interview in Chambers on a Saturday in June/July 2008. A short list of candidates will then be invited for a further interview on an evening during the week in July. The successful candidates are notified on 1 August 2008, and the pupillage offers remain open for 14 days thereafter, although we request that applicants who do not want the pupillage should notify us as soon as possible.  

Mini pupillages

Chambers offers one-week mini-pupillages during the legal terms.

Applicants must be over 18 years old.

There are no vacancies for mini pupilages during 2008.

Applications for mini-pupillage during 2009 should be sent (with a CV and hand-written covering letter) between 1st and 31st January 2009 marked "mini pupillage application" and for the attention of Jude Allen. Please note: any application sent before that date will not be considered until after the 31st January 2009 deadline.