Pupillage Vacancy Information
About Authorised Education and Training Organisation and Structure of Pupillage
Four Brick Court is a leading specialist family law set in the Temple. Chambers is ranked in Legal 500 for its commitment and specialism in the fields of Children and Domestic Abuse and has several members ranked in Chambers and Partners. We have a large presence in the main family law centres across London as well as outer London courts and further afield.
Chambers undertakes all aspects of family law work. Our barristers are known primarily for their excellence in legal knowledge and skilled, robust advocacy. We have a strong reputation for being approachable in advising, skilled in negotiations and taking a collaborative approach, yet fiercely representing our clients in court. We would expect any candidate to show the potential to share these skills and qualities.
Barristers at Four Brick Court regularly appear in leading cases, being at the forefront of developing areas of family law. We have a strong reputation for representing all parties in public children law. However, Chambers also undertakes work across the full range of private children law and financial remedies. Successful applicants will need to be able to show commitment, practical or otherwise, to these areas.
We are committed to a considered expansion of our Chambers. The most important element of this is to recruit and develop talented barristers from the start of their careers. We have a clear and effective training programme during pupillage that promotes the development of key skills and knowledge through support, equality, fairness and wellbeing. You will have three pupil supervisors each for four months. A pupillage handbook acts as a guide to expectations and support. Chambers also provides a specific and tailored advocacy training programme, led by Bibi Badejo, host of The Advocacy Podcast. This prepares pupils for starting on their feet and is the grounding for a successful career at the family Bar. Whilst this is not assessed, feedback and guidance will be given with a focus on support and training. Alongside this, pupils can expect to be set written exercises and are asked to write an article for publication. As a pupil, you will have regular contact across the entire membership of Chambers from new tenants to senior tenants and will experience the breadth of Chambers’ work. Above all, our approach produces experienced, strong advocates that we are keen to retain.
Four Brick Court is a modern set with a forward-looking approach and a commitment to family and social justice. Chambers is committed to actively promoting and advancing equality, diversity and social mobility and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Our clerking and administrative teams are experienced, supportive and adaptive to the many challenges facing the modern family Bar.
We are recruiting two pupils to start in October 2026.
Financial and Other Support Available:
Remuneration for the 2026-2027 pupillage is £25,000 per pupil (paid over 9 months). In addition, this is further supplemented by guaranteed earnings in your second six of £15,000. Pupils will retain any second six receipts earned above this, pupils can usually expect to bill between £20,000 to £30,000. None of the money earned during pupillage is recouped by Chambers. Pupillage awards are reviewed in line with the Bar Council’s guidance and Basic Living wage requirements.
Chambers will also reimburse travel expenses for the first 9 months for any travel outside of Zone 6.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:
We have a pupillage handbook. The 2024 edition (redacted) is available in the download section. Our constitution contains various policies which govern our approach to members and pupils including an Equality Policy, Fair Access to Work, Wellbeing etc and we are open to flexible working arrangements. We have a strong commitment to Anti-Racism underpinned by our Anti-Racism statement. We are also committed to our Law Together initiative which entails supporting various access schemes such as Bridging the Bar and 10,000 Black Interns.
Four Brick Court is inclusive of disabilities and reasonable adjustments will be made. This will not impact on recruitment decision making. Enquiries should be made to the Equality and Diversity Officer; edi@4bc.co.uk.
How to apply:
Aspiring barristers are invited to 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’.
In addition to the standardise Bar Council questionnaire, candidates will be asked to respond to the following questions from Chambers:
- Why are you interested in family law? (word limit 200)
- What relevant skills and/ or experience do you have which make you a good candidate for a career at the Family Bar? (word limit 200)
- Why do you want to join our Chambers? (word limit 200)
- If you could change or transform any aspect of the family justice system, what would it be and why? (word limit 200)
Any Other Relevant Information
Chambers runs fortnightly sessions of Advocacy Training for pupils during the first six months of pupillage. This involves mock hearings and witness handing. The training is supported by various members of Chambers with hired actors taking the part of witnesses. Feedback is provided following each session but they are not formally assessed.
Chambers intends to invite successful applicants to interview on Saturday 26th April 2025.
If you wish to ask any questions about Chambers or the application process, please do get in contact.
