Pupillage Vacancy Information
About Authorised Education and Training Organisation and Structure of Pupillage
College Chambers is an established and well-known family and common law set of chambers based in Southampton. It has been established for 35 years, and currently it has 30 tenants and door-tenants and 3 pupils.
College Chambers has trained pupils over the years with an emphasis of growth and development overall through its pupils who becoming tenants. Tenants become mediators, arbitrators, judges and tribunal chairpersons.
Pupils will have three supervisors during the course of the 12-month pupillage (4 months with each supervisor) with the aim of ensuring training and learning across all areas of practice in Chambers with varied learning methods and support. In addition to spending time with your pupil supervisor you would be sent to Court with other members of Chambers to learn different styles, approaches and areas of law.
Practising pupils also have the experience of very frequent court appearances through the magistrates' courts, county and family courts with full support of the supervisor and all members of chambers.
Chambers supports the pupils in terms of the mandatory BSB training and also provides training in relation to GDPR and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Chambers operates a “buddy system” for pupils with ongoing monitoring as required in the first 3 years of practice and has an open-door policy for pupils, tenants and staff generally for a fully transparent, inclusive and most of all a welcoming environment in which to learn, develop and practice.
Chambers will also support a pupil’s professional growth by providing and promoting both internal and external networking opportunities with the local lawyers’ divisions, networking events with local firms and by attending talks and lectures hosted by Chambers.
Tenancy applications made by pupils in the last 5 years have had 100% success rate.
Chambers’ Pupillage Policy 2025 is provided on Chambers’ website.
Financial and Other Support Available
The pupillage award is based on the BSB minimum award with guaranteed earnings in the practicing period to ensure that the pupil achieves the minimum award each month throughout the pupillage.
Historically and consistently, practicing pupils at College Chambers earn significantly more than the guaranteed earnings.
The pupil is also provided with a sum of money at the start of pupillage from which to pay expenses to travel to court, conferences, mediations with their supervisor or other members of chambers and to training courses and approved networking events during their pupillage.
The fees for the BSB mandatory courses are paid fully by Chambers.
The fees for any courses in respect of GDPR and ED&I organised by Chambers for pupils are paid fully by Chambers.
Pupils attending approved social or networking events with or via Chambers will be reimbursed in terms of any travel costs or charges in respect of the event.
Chambers have two Wellbeing Officers who actively engages with the BSB and the Western Circuit in dealing with wellbeing matters. The Wellbeing Officers actively engages with pupils during their pupillage.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Chambers provides training to all members, clerks and staff in respect of ED&I.
Chambers ensures that all pupils are provided with this training as soon as possible upon commencing pupillage.
Chambers has in place an ED&I officer who is actively involved in dealing with ED&I matters. The ED&I actively engages with pupils during their pupillage. Chambers actively considers the appropriateness of events organised both externally and internally to accommodate all pupils and members.
Accessibility matters can be addressed with the Heads of Pupillage or the Equality & Diversity Officer Sannah Dad– sdad@college-chambers.co.uk and and Shan Parker sparker@college-chambers.co.uk or the Senior Clerk –
How to Apply
Applications by electronic standard form and by email to be made to:
Head of Pupillage
College Chambers,
19 Carlton Crescent,
Southampton.
SO15 2ET
Any Other Relevant Information
The Senior Clerk is supported by a team of 9 members of staff as clerks, administration staff, fees clerk and financial administrative clerk.
Successful pupils are invited to attend Chambers before the start date of pupillage to meet Heads of Pupillage, first pupil supervisor, Senior Clerk and staff and other members of chambers.
