Pupillage Vacancy Information
About Authorised Education and Training Organisation
We are offering one family pupillage commencing in October 2026 and one family pupillage in October 2027.
Our Family Pupils have access to a wide variety of Family & International Family work within the training programme. The pupillage will be focused upon family law with family law supervisors.There will be opportunities to shadow advocacy with members from other practice areas, with advocacy exercises across family and other core areas.
Structure of Pupillage
Pupillage is usually divided into 3 periods of 4 months, with 3 different pupil supervisors.
Each pupil will also have a mentor in chambers who is separate from their pupil supervisor. We also encourage our most junior tenants to support our new pupils.We recognise that our junior tenants have just been through the pupillage process and can often offer invaluable hands-on advice to the new pupils.
Pupil supervisors will provide each pupil with and/or contribute to a suitable training programme that enables the pupil to meet the competencies in the Professional Statement to the required standard and will provide all necessary assistance in complying with the pupil’s regulatory obligations.
Pupil supervisors will conduct periodic formal appraisal meetings with their pupils.The objective of these appraisals is to ensure that the pupil is on track to meet the standard required for a Provisional Practising Certificate at the end of the first-six, and to complete pupillage.At the conclusion of the seat, the pupil supervisor will conduct a final appraisal and assist in the smooth handover between seat supervisors.
At the end of the ‘first six’ months of pupillage our pupils will be on their feet and commence their ‘second six’. Pupils will undertake cases in their own right, whilst still having the support of a Pupil Supervisor.You will be undertaking your own cases, covering cases for other members of chambers, and receiving work from your pupil supervisor should they need your assistance.
The second six is an exciting time where our pupils finally get to undertake their own advocacy and develop their own work streams.
Before the end of the 12-month pupillage, our pupillage selection board undertakes a review of all pupillage feedback, appraisals from pupil supervisors and makes a final recommendation for tenancy to all members of chambers.We are proud of our strong record of taking on our pupils after pupillage, and we recruit our pupils with a view to taking them on as tenants.
We aim to provide significant support throughout pupillage so that pupils achieve the required standards and achieve well beyond this.
Financial and Other Support Available
Our pupillage award will be £45,000, which is made up of a grant of £25,000 in the first six months and a guaranteed income of £20,000 in the second six months. We would expect income to exceed £20,000 across the second six period.
Successful pupils can apply to ‘draw down’ a proportion of the grant to assist with their Bar Course or other pupillage-related costs.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
5SAH ethos is one of inclusivity. We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from barristers from all backgrounds.We run a fair selection process that aims to recruit bright candidates who also demonstrate flair and personality. We recruit on merit and ability.All applicants receive the same equal treatment, regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, gender, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and background.
We encourage and welcome applications from women, Black, Asian, minority ethnic individuals, barristers with neurodivergent conditions, disabled people, and those who are LGBTQ+, as well as applicants from other underrepresented groups or backgrounds.
Please get in touch with us if you need reasonable adjustments in relation to disability, neurodiversity, or other needs or personal matters that may not be visible.
How to Apply
Aspiring barristers are invited to apply to chambers between 5 January 2026 and 22 January 2026 using the Pupillage Gateway application system and applicants should make their application through the following advert on Gateway: barcouncil/TP/1053/ 1414 October 2026 advertisement
In addition to the standardised Bar Council questionnaire, candidates will be asked to respond to the following questions from Chambers:
1. Why do you wish to be a pupil at 5 St Andrew’s Hill? (150 words max)
2. What is/are the biggest challenge(s) for the family bar? (150 words max)
3. With which well-known person, dead or alive, would you like to have dinner and why? (150 words max)
4. Are you applying for pupillage in October 2026, October 2027 or both, please indicate (150 words max)
