Pupillage Vacancy Information
Great James Street Chambers was founded in 2004. In 2020 Chambers embraced the changes facing the legal profession by becoming a virtual set of Chambers, whilst retaining access to physical office space at 20 Old Bailey. Members provide specialist advisory and advocacy services in crime, extradition, regulatory, public law, search warrants and production orders, restraint and asset confiscation orders, immigration, family, civil law and arbitration/mediation. Our aim is provide our members and clerks with a modern, friendly and supportive environment that allows our members to develop practices in areas of law about which they are passionate, whilst providing the very best service to our clients. Numerous members are dual-qualified in jurisdictions including Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Cameroon, Australia, Scotland, St Vincent, Ireland and Luxembourg, and we have strong links to the UAE. A large number of members are Direct Access qualified. Chambers is proud of the level of support that is given to our junior members in developing their careers in their chosen practice areas. Our website is at www.greatjames.co.uk.
Pupillage is focused on criminal practice, but pupils are exposed to Chambers’ other specialisms and are encouraged to explore further those areas that particularly interest them. In the non-practising period, as well as working closely with their supervisor, our pupils work alongside a variety of members to ensure a broad learning experience. The aim is for the pupil to gain a comprehensive insight into the type of work that members undertake. Non-practising pupils can expect to be in court most days and will be expected to demonstrate their ability to undertake research, and draft opinions. Chambers conducts in house advocacy exercises for pupils alongside junior members. In the practising period the pupil will be in court on most days if not everyday, and will continue to be supervised. Applicants should read carefully our Pupillage Policy and should view our Pupillage Handbook.
The pupillage award is expected to cover the pupil’s cost of travel within Greater London. In the non-practising period, should the pupil have to travel outside Greater London, Chambers will reimburse all reasonable expenses. In the practising period, where the pupil is required to travel outside the South Eastern Circuit, Chambers will reimburse all reasonable travel expenses. Chambers covers the cost (where there is any) of the pupil’s mandatory courses and ICO registration. Pupils in the practising period of pupillage do not pay any Chambers’ contribution on earnings. The pupil is given access to Westlaw. Both Chambers’ wide and at junior level, and within certain practice areas, members and pupils have support WhatsApp groups used to discuss work issues and plan social activities.
Chambers has a robust Equality and Diversity Policy, together with various related statements and policies, which can be found at www.greatjames.co.uk. Chambers supports members undertaking inclusivity activities which include:
- Undertaking mock-trials within schools and communities local to them;
- Outreach work amongst groups unrepresented at the Bar;
- Setting up initiatives such as Her Bar, which works towards greater gender equality at the Bar;
- Undertaking mock interviews and career advice in relation to all the above groups;
- Mentorship schemes.
Chambers welcomes applications for mini-pupillages and offers the opportunity of work experience with our clerks.
Our Accessibility Officer is Vishal Misra. Contact details vishal.misra@greatjames.co.uk.
Our Accessibility Officer is Vishal Misra. Contact details vishal.misra@greatjames.co.uk.
How to Apply
Aspiring barristers are invited to apply to chambers between 2 January 2025 and 6 February 2025 using the Pupillage Gateway application system to search for the relevant Pupillage Vacancy and selecting ‘Apply for this pupillage’.
Candidates will be asked to respond to the following questions from Chambers:
1. Why do you believe you will make a good criminal barrister? (250 words)
2. Why do you wish to join Great James Street Chambers? (250 words)
3. Essay Question: answer only ONE of the two questions below.
2. Why do you wish to join Great James Street Chambers? (250 words)
3. Essay Question: answer only ONE of the two questions below.
- Should criminal trials be televised?
- Should private prosecutions be abolished? Discuss, with reference to recent revelations of miscarriage of justice. (250 words)
