Pupillage
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. Further, our work is almost exclusively privately funded.
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, e.g. 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 usually looks to offer up to three twelve-month funded pupillages of £25,000pa 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 Pupillage Portal.
Applications for pupillage
Applications for pupillages in 2013/2014 (commencing October 2013) will open from the date of the National Pupillage Fair, the 3rd March 2012, and will close at 4pm on 4th May 2012.
Applications should be sent, with a CV and hand-written covering letter, marked 'Pupillage Application' and addressed to the Chambers Administrator. References may also be helpful. Please include an e-mail address and mobile telephone number if available.
Some applicants will be selected to attend an interview in Chambers on a Saturday in June or July 2012. Those who attend should be aware of current issues in family law and be prepared to discuss them in the interview. A short list of candidates will then be invited for a further interview in the evening in July 2012. The successful candidates are notified on 1 August 2012, 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
Mini pupillages are available during term time only. Applicants must be at least at undergraduate level and have some interest in family law. Applications are accepted twice a year and should be sent with a full CV and handwritten covering letter marked for the attention of Katherine Cook.
For mini pupillages between February - July 2012, applications should be submitted between 1 - 31 January 2012. For mini pupillages between October 2012 - January 2013, applications should be submitted between 1 - 31 July 2012. Please note that ordinarily applications will not be considered outside of these application periods.
