Pupillage Vacancy Information
About Authorised Education and Training Organisation
Crucible Chambers is a modern and progressive set that is based in Central London. We have a thriving base in criminal defence and prosecution work as well as regulatory and professional discipline. We also have a stronghold in the world of financial and white-collar crime.
At Crucible, we are actively seeking Pupils who will thrive in the challenging and exciting environment of the Criminal Bar, who are friendly and approachable, yet will be fearless in their representation of their client. We take care in selecting our Pupils as we aim to invest significant time and expertise in them with a view to them becoming potential prospective tenants. Every year we carefully review the results of our previous recruitment process to ensure that it assists in promoting our aims to widen access to the Bar amongst those who have been traditionally underrepresented within the profession.
We have adapted and made changes to our marking criteria and selection process to ensure that we meet the high expectations that we set for ourselves in choosing the best and most deserving candidates, regardless of their background.
Structure of Pupillage
We seek to recruit two 12-month Pupils starting in October 2025. Our Pupils can expect to receive first class training as part of our annual advocacy programme, which is held almost weekly during the first six months and continues to provide support once our Pupils are on their feet.
In their second six months, our Pupils will undertake instructions in all of our practice areas, including private Magistrates’ Court cases, Crown Court matters, and hearings before various regulatory and disciplinary bodies. Our pupils usually undertake their first Crown Court trials right at the end of their Second Six, or very soon after.
It is our experience that our pupils, every year, earn considerably more than the guaranteed minimum amount that we advertise.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
We pride ourselves on our commitment to equality and diversity at the Bar, and have taken a proactive approach to our recruitment process. Alongside our own internal efforts to identify and recruit those from underrepresented backgrounds, we carry our a number of external outreach programmes to educate secondary school aged children about our profession and the criminal justice system more generally.
We encourage all to read our report concerning the steps we have taken in creating wider access to the Bar as part of this objective. Should any applicant require any further information regarding accessibility they should contact our EDI officer, Oliver Renton: oliver.renton@crucible.law
How to Apply
Aspiring barristers are invited to apply to chambers within the usual application window using the Pupillage Gateway to search for the relevant Pupillage Vacancy and selecting ‘Apply for this pupillage’.
In addition to the standardised Bar Council questionnaire, candidates will be asked to respond to the following questions from Chambers:
- Why do you want to be a barrister? (max. 750 words)
- Why do you want to join Crucible? (max. 600 words)
- What are the risks and benefits to the Criminal Justice System of advances in Artificial Intelligence technology? (max. 500 words)
Further to the similar question within the standard Bar Council Questions, applicants will also be asked to confirm whether or not they have used AI in any way in drafting their application to us. (max. 250 words)
