Please Note: The application deadline for this job has now passed.
Pupillage Vacancy Information
About Authorised Education and Training Organisation and Structure of Pupillage
Members of 15NBS conduct all aspects of criminal work for defence solicitors, members of the public and prosecuting authorities. We cater to the needs of all clients, who may be facing substantial loss of liberty, coupling professionalism with a friendly approach. Each case brings its own unique challenges, but we fight fearlessly and with integrity for the right result for the client, whether dealing with the most straightforward of cases in a Magistrates Court; handling sensitive witnesses in highly emotive trials or dealing with cases of the utmost complexity in the Crown Court, or arguing points of law before the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court or the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
We offer a first class criminal pupillage which provides pupils with the breadth and depth of experience needed for a successful career at the Criminal Bar. We pride ourselves on ensuring that pupils are well supervised and supported throughout their pupillage and we have an excellent track record of recruiting tenants from those who complete pupillage with us.
Pupillage at 15NBS Chambers is divided into three periods (three four month periods) each of which are spent with a different supervisor. You will be expected to produce work for other members of Chambers throughout the year and you will receive in-house advocacy training and formal feedback at the conclusion of each three-month period.
We pride ourselves on our collegiate atmosphere and pupils are encouraged to participate in the life of chambers by joining junior socials and wider chambers events.
We are looking for the most talented candidate from any university or background to fill our pupillage places. We look for personality, all-round ability and commitment to the Criminal Bar as well as considering your academic record. We are an equal opportunities employer.
Financial and Other Support Available
In addition to the pupillage award, Chambers pays for the continuing education courses which a pupil is required to undertake during pupillage and for travel costs outside of London.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
15 NBS is a Chambers that holds diversity and inclusion as a key principle of its business. We are committed to ensure that we go beyond the legal minimum requirements and those issued by the Bar Council and the Bar Standards Board. As a Chambers we aim to uphold the core basics of fairness and respect for difference, equality of opportunity and treatment across gender, religion, marital/civil status disability, mental and physical differences, BAME and LGBT+ rights and social class.
Chambers has a strong commitment to equality of opportunity for all and welcomes applications from people from all sections of society, regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age or religion.
Chambers equality and diversity statement can be found on our website https://15nbs.com/equality-and-diversity-statement/
How to Apply
Aspiring barristers are invited to apply to chambers between 3 January 2024 and 7 February 2024 using the Pupillage Gateway application system to search for the relevant Pupillage Vacancy and selecting ‘Apply for this pupillage’.
In addition to the standardised Bar Council questionnaire, candidates will be asked to respond to the following questions from Chambers:
1. What skills do you have that will make you a good criminal barrister?
2. Please provide us with an example from your work or personal life that demonstrates moral integrity?
3. Please provide us with an example of a situation where you were out of your depth. What did you do and what would you change if you had the chance again?
4. Please can you set out what you feel are the four most important qualities for a criminal barrister and why?
5. What more could the criminal bar do promote inclusivity?
