Pupillage Vacancy Information
About AETO and Structure of Pupillage
FOURTEEN is a leading specialist family law set with a national reputation. We undertake high quality work for a wide client base, which includes private client and legal aid solicitors, large city firms and local authorities. We have occupied a prominent position in the London legal market for many years.
FOURTEEN is a leading specialist family law set with a national reputation. We undertake high quality work for a wide client base, which includes private client and legal aid solicitors, large city firms and local authorities. We have occupied a prominent position in the London legal market for many years.
We have consistently been recognised as a leading family law set in the legal directories. The Chambers UK Bar directory describes FOURTEEN as "a respected set with substantial strength in both children and matrimonial finance proceedings. Barristers here frequently appear in cases with multi-jurisdictional elements, and regularly handle matters of great complexity involving issues such as trusts, offshore accounts, and allegations of abuse. Both public and private law work is undertaken for a wide range of clients, some of whom are high net worth. Commentators note: "Every member of FOURTEEN is a stand-alone expert. They often work together sharing ideas and knowledge, so no matter who we instruct we are in safe hands." The Legal 500 describes FOURTEEN as a ‘boutique' 'go to set' with 'a strong choice of barristers advising exclusively on family law'.
We have a strong list of ranked juniors with experience at every level.
We have dedicated practice teams for children, family finance, Court of Protection and international family law. Many of our members are public-access qualified and some undertake mediation and arbitration.
Pupillage at FOURTEEN is fulfilling and fun whilst preparing you for a life at the Family Bar. We offer two 12-month pupillages each year. Our pupils have the opportunity to see all areas of family law, with supervisors allocated to ensure pupils gain experience across a range of financial remedies, public and private children work. Each pupil will have three pupil supervisors during their year and will be expected to accompany other members of Chambers to court on a regular basis.
FOURTEEN provides pupils with comprehensive training before starting on their feet in the second six months. This includes advocacy exercises, drafting and legal research. Because pupils at FOURTEEN are not in competition with each other for tenancy, we fully expect all to become Members of Chambers if they successfully complete pupillage to the required standard.
Financial and Other Support Available
The pupillage award is £40,000 per year for pupils starting in October 2026, paid monthly in equal instalments. In addition, pupils also retain all fees earned during the practising period of pupillage – second-six pupils can expect to be on their feet regularly.
We also fund any training a pupil has to undertake and reasonable costs of travel outside Zone 6 where a pupil is attending with a Member of Chambers.
We also pay pupils’ subscription to the FLBA and the costs of networking events with the FLBA and YRes.
Pupils may, if they wish, draw down up to £15,000 of the award at any point from the start of pupillage. Applications for partial drawdown in the year prior to pupillage will be considered.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
FOURTEEN is firmly committed to equality of opportunity for all and seeks by its actions and ethos to increase the diversity of its membership. FOURTEEN is committed to providing a fully inclusive and collegial working environment and one in which all individuals, including members of Chambers, pupils, mini-pupils and employees, treat each other with dignity and respect.
We welcome applications for pupillage from anyone who shares this ethos, and especially from those from groups which are currently underrepresented at the Bar.
If you wish further information on accessibility in Chambers, please email Julie Clarke, our Chambers Manager, at jclarke@fourteen.co.uk.
How to Apply
Candidates are invited to apply to Chambers using the Pupillage Gateway application system 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:
(1) Why do you want to practise at a specialist family law set? In your answer, we would like to hear about: (a) why family law interests you, (b) whether there are any specific areas of family law or current issues in which you have an interest and (c) what skills, personal qualities and experiences you have that you feel are particularly important to becoming a successful family barrister. (3000 character limit)
(2) As a pupil, you will need good time management skills and a strong work ethic. Can you give us up to three (brief) examples of times when you have been able to demonstrate these characteristics in your academic, personal or professional life to date? (1400 character limit)
(3) Please give an example of a time when you have successfully used advocacy or influenced others. What in particular made your advocacy or influence effective? (1400 character limit)
(4) What personal achievement are you most proud of and why? (1400 character limit)
