Pupillage Vacancy Information
About Authorised and Education Training Organisation
23ES is one of the largest and most respected chambers with a national presence in crime and commercial law. Chambers operates national and international practice from offices in London and Manchester. 23ES was recently named ‘Crime Set of the Year’ at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022.
We will offer up to three criminal pupillages to commence in Autumn 2026, two of which will be with our criminal team in London and one with our criminal team in Manchester.
Chambers seeks to recruit junior tenants from amongst our own pupils and pupillage is offered with a view to tenancy.
Structure of Pupillage
Pupils will generally have one pupil supervisor every four months to ensure they observe a wide range of work and gain experience and understanding of different working practices.
In the second six months criminal pupils can expect to be in court on a daily basis.
Chambers runs a compulsory in-house advocacy training course throughout the year. The training culminates in a mock trial at a Crown Court, judged by a circuit judge, with members of chambers acting as witnesses and jurors. Each pupil is given advice and feedback.
The course incorporates sessions on magistrates’ court practice and procedure, questioning vulnerable witnesses and defendants, and practice management. Chambers supports pupils with their external compulsory training.
Financial and Other Support Available
All of our pupillages are funded. In 2026, our London pupils will receive an award of £45,000, comprising a grant of £25,000 paid in the first six and £20,000 guaranteed earnings paid in the second six. Our Manchester criminal pupil will receive an award of £35,000, comprising a grant of £20,000 in the first six months and £15,000 guaranteed earnings in the second six.
During the first six months, pupils will be reimbursed in full the cost of any travel outside of London/Manchester as applicable for the purposes of Pupillage, in accordance with our Travel Expenses Policy. Pupils do not pay Chambers’ expenses nor Chambers’ rent. Chambers pays 12-month pupils’ expenses for compulsory courses.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
23ES wishes to ensure that we recruit, develop and retain the most talented barristers, pupils and staff to our chambers. We value the diversity of backgrounds, skills and experiences found in our chambers, and actively promote an inclusive culture where all our members and staff are able to flourish. Chambers operates in accordance with the principles of fair recruitment and equal opportunities.
All applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, neurodiversity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, religion or belief.
Chambers’ Equality and Diversity Policy and 2021 Diversity Data Report are available on the 23ES website (https://www.23es.com/chambers-policies/).
Should you wish to discuss accessibility, reasonable adjustments or any related queries, please contact the Pupillage Secretary, Carl Wheeler, via email (pupillage@23es.com) or phone (020 7413 0353).
How to Apply
Please apply to chambers between 2nd January 2025 and 6th 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:
- Why do you believe you will make a good barrister? In your answer, please identify any relevant experiences or skills that you believe may help you in your career (Min 100, max 1500 Characters)
- Why do you want to join our chambers? In your answer, please give reasons for your choice of chambers and explain why you are interested in our areas of practice (Min 100, max 1500 Characters)
- Please indicate whether you are applying for a criminal pupillage in London or Manchester, or a commercial pupillage in Manchester
