Pupillage Vacancy Information
CSB offers a common law pupillage across all practice areas with a supervisor per practice area.
Cornwall Street Barristers is based in Birmingham with annexes in Oxford and Maidstone, although we represent clients nationwide.
We are one of the leading sets of Barristers’ Chambers and have been providing the highest standards of representation and advice for 50 years.
Our Barristers are approachable, personable and professional. As a set we pride ourselves on being forward thinking and innovative whilst retaining the traditional values of the Bar. We are proud of our down-to-earth approach and collegiate philosophy.
We offer common law pupillages where each pupil has the chance to observe all practice areas undertaken by our members. We view the pervasive common law pupillage as a strength that can only help a pupil excel in whichever area they choose to specialise later in their career.
We actively recruit pupils because we see this as the best way to develop Chambers and we value “homegrown timber’; to that end pupils are recruited with a view to, although not a guarantee of, tenancy.
During the application process, we look for those who can demonstrate: A high level of academic ability, generally 2:1 or above but a 2:2 would be considered from candidates who can demonstrate extenuating circumstances or who have achieved significant academic results since; impressive written and oral communication skills; a genuine desire and determination to work as a barrister; an understanding of the challenges of developing a practice at the Bar; An ability to work both alone under pressure and to contribute to a team.
£32,000 plus travel expenses were such journeys fall within our expenses policy.
Cornwall Street Barristers values the rich diversity and creative potential that people with differing backgrounds and abilities bring to the Bar we positively encourage a culture of equal opportunities for all in which personal success depends upon personal merit and performance.
Chambers is committed to providing a working environment in which all individuals who come into contact with Chambers are treated with dignity, respect and fairness. Chambers aims to promote a working environment which is conducive to the professional growth of its members and employees and to the promotion of equality of opportunity.
Chambers will not tolerate any form of harassment. Harassment constitutes professional misconduct and is prohibited by the Bar Council’s Code of Conduct. Harassment on the grounds of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation or religion is unlawful under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Race Relations Act 1976, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 and the Employment (Religion and Belief) Regulations 2003.
Diversity Data
In line with the Bar Standards Board’s Equality and Diversity Rules, Cornwall Street Chambers hereby publishes a summary of the data collected in 2022 in respect of gender, disability and race. The information below shows data for both members of Chambers (including QCs and pupils) and employed staff.
All members of Chambers and employed staff were invited to respond to the confidential questionnaire. Those who chose not to respond are included as ‘undisclosed’.
This data is valid as of 16 February 2022.
Gender
Female 29%
Male 44%
Undisclosed 27%
Disability
Disability 2%
No disability 50%
Undisclosed 48%
Race
White 46%
BME* 8%
Undisclosed 46%
If you have any questions or queries please contact Simon Bradshaw, Chambers Equality and Diversity Officer (and Diversity Data Officer), on 0121 233 7500 or simon.bradshaw@cornwallstreet.co.uk.
In line with the ICO. All use of AI must be as a tool and the barrister/pupil barrister remains responsible for the accuracy of the work produced.
Cornwall Street Barristers does not use the Pupillage Gateway for applications. Applications are made by e-mailing your completed application form and diversity monitoring questionnaire.
Our application form and associated documents are available on our website: https://cornwallstreet.co.uk/pupillage/
Any Other Relevant Information
We are hosting a pupillage information event in Chambers in Birmingham, provisional date 14 January 2026. If you wish to attend please RSVP to m.fleming@cornwallstreet.co.uk
