Pupillage Vacancy Information
About Authorised Education and Training Organisation and Structure of Pupillage
No 1 High Pavement is a leading Criminal set on the Midlands Circuit. We present an excellent pupillage programme, tailored to provide thorough training for practice at the Criminal bar. We offer a twelve month pupillage, consisting of a first six, spent shadowing a pupil supervisor as well as other members of chambers at all levels. During your first six, you will attend Court on a daily basis and be exposed to the full range of Criminal practice. You will undertake advocacy exercises, pieces of written work and research in order to develop your skills before embarking on your own cases in second six. We also support additional training provided by the Circuit and other providers. For example, we often host a series of guest lectures across the year. Our pupils engage in the social and educational aspects of the local bar and are encouraged to lend a hand with student competitions and local Court open days. We also provide marshalling experiences with local Judges and Recorders, many of whom are members or former members of chambers. On occasion there are also opportunities for short placements with the Crown Prosecution Service and defence solicitors. In second six, you will expect to be in Court most days, conducting your own cases. You will have the full support of your pupil supervisor and also the junior members of chambers. You will regularly appear in the Crown and Magistrates’ Courts and may undertake quasi-criminal matters in the County Court on occasion. You will provide written advices and legal arguments as required. Throughout the pupillage you will follow a training plan to ensure all your training needs are met. A full induction is provided in advance of the pupillage commencement. There will be regular reviews of your training with both your pupil supervisor and the head of pupillage. Our aim is to provide you with all the skills you will need to practice successfully as a junior member of the Criminal bar at the end of your pupillage. Although tenancy cannot be guaranteed, seven of our last eight pupils have become members of chambers following completion of pupillage. |
Financial and Other Support Available
£11,250 guaranteed award in first six, with compulsory course costs and reasonable travel expenses.
In second six, guaranteed earnings of £11,250 but in reality most pupils earn at least £3,000 gross a month.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Chambers engages with local state schools and colleges and local Universities, in careers events, competitions, providing mini-pupillages and mentoring. We have seen a real increase as a result in the diversity of applications for pupillage and that has translated into a more diverse junior membership in Chambers in the last few years. We encourage our pupils to attend and support such events.
We have also produced a brochure – available online – with reports and tips from our junior members and pupils to give information and demonstrate the support available in Chambers for pupils, whatever their background.
We continue to provide mentorship for junior tenants after pupillage.
We have actively and successfully supported under-represented groups in Chambers to make applications for judicial positions. We also have flexibility in career options for those with children – subject to the vagaries of a criminal practice.
All members of our pupillage committee are trained in Fair Recruitment and Selection.
Our accessibility officer is Luc Chignell. Contact can be made via: clerks@1highpavement.co.uk marking any email for his attention.
How to Apply
Aspiring barristers are invited to apply to chambers between 2 January 2025 and 6 February 2025 using the Pupillage Gateway application system to search for the relevant Pupillage Vacancy and selecting ‘Apply for this pupillage’.
Candidates will be asked to respond to the following questions from Chambers:
1. Why do you want to be a barrister? (max 150 words)
2. Why do you want to practise in crime? (max 150 words)
3. Why do you want to undertake pupillage at 1 High Pavement Chambers? (max 150 words)
3. Why do you want to undertake pupillage at 1 High Pavement Chambers? (max 150 words)
4. Give an example of a time when you have changed someone’s mind about something. (max 150 words)
5. If you could be any book/film character, who would you be and why? (max 150 words)
Those scoring the highest marks on the applications will be invited to attend for a short advocacy exercise, to be performed to the members of the pupillage assessment panel. The exercise usually takes the form of a plea in mitigation or bail application.
The candidates with the highest marks following the advocacy exercise will then be invited for a personal interview. There are standard questions asked of all the candidates and an ethical scenario will be presented for discussion. Other questions will focus on the candidate’s application.
Other Relevant Information
We have been a pupillage provider since our inception in 1990. We are currently applying to transition from a Pupillage provider to an AETO. Any offer of pupillage is conditional upon this application being successful. It is likely that our application will be determined well before any final interviews and offers are made.
