Please Note: The application deadline for this job has now passed.
Pupillage Vacancy Information
About Authorised Education and Training Organisation
Hill Twine Solicitors & Barristers is a team of specialist Criminal Defence lawyers based in Bournemouth, Dorset. Founded in 2013, we represent clients accused of criminal offences, including motoring offences, at the police station and in the criminal courts. Our specialist areas of expertise include the Youth Justice System, and the Armed Forces.
We provide expert representation throughout Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, and beyond. Our team has a wealth of knowledge across the broad spectrum of the Criminal Justice System and our solicitors and barristers are qualified to represent clients at every stage of the proceedings, in all courts. We hold a Government Criminal Legal Aid Contract and within our team we have lawyers who are qualified members of the Bournemouth & Poole Police Station and Magistrates’ Court Duty Schemes.
We currently have a total of 11 staff members: a Solicitor Advocate (who is also a non-practicing barrister), a barrister, four solicitors (including a non-practicing barrister), two Trainee Solicitors and three paralegals.
More information about Hill Twine Solicitors & Barristers can be found on our website: https://hilltwine.co.uk
Structure of Pupillage
Pupils will follow our bespoke 12-month training programme focusing on developing the skills, knowledge, and experience to deal with complex and challenging cases in the Crown Court. Our pupillage provides a unique advantage over a ‘traditional’ Chambers pupillage as our Pupils will undertake the training to achieve the Criminal Litigation Accreditation (attaining Duty ‘Solicitor’ status). This is a recognised quality standard for criminal practitioners, facilitating a solid grounding in representing those accused of criminal offences at the police station and the magistrates’ court. This strong foundation will enhance the quality and standard of our Pupils’ advocacy in the Crown Court.
During the non-practicing period, in addition to supported theoretical study, Pupils will spend time observing and shadowing the work of both our in-house lawyers and external Counsel. Pupils will also spend time sitting with a District Judge dealing with magistrates’ court proceedings. In addition to the compulsory courses, they will attend regular in-house training events and undertake mock trials and advocacy exercises. They will be exposed to a huge variety of work across the entire spectrum of criminal offences.
During the practicing period, Pupils will be appearing regularly in both the magistrates’ court and the Crown Court. Pupils will continue to participate in training events and advocacy masterclasses. Whilst Pupils will enjoy being challenged and developing their practice, they will undertake work that is suitably matched to their skills and experience at any given time.
Upon pupillage completion, Pupils will be performing to a high standard in all courts, with a particular focus on Crown Court cases. They will be representing clients across a broad range of offences and will understand the work required of litigators and advocates to achieve successful outcomes. They will have a thorough understanding of the practical application of the rules, procedures, and processes in the criminal courts and at the police station. Moreover, they will be invested in being part of a team that provides a high standard of representation at every stage of criminal proceedings, understanding that this is necessary to attract and retain high-calibre work facilitating the development of their own interesting and rewarding practice as an employed barrister.
Although there will be the occasional necessity to travel further afield, the majority of our work is based in Dorset. A pupillage with us will therefore particularly suit those who want to spend their time studying, observing, developing, and practicing, instead of travelling here, there and everywhere.
Financial and Other Support Available
We recruit pupils with a view to offering a permanent employment contract as an Employed Barrister, subject to successful completion of pupillage.
Pupils will have a 12-month fixed term employment contract with a starting salary of £24,000 per annum. Pupils will be enrolled in the firm’s pension scheme and will have an annual leave allowance of 25 days (in addition to Bank Holidays). Tax and NIC will be paid via PAYE. Pupils will benefit from the firm’s PII.
Travel expenses to courthouses, prisons, police stations, and other eligible work locations will be reimbursed and the firm will cover the cost of training provided by external providers and assessments (including re-sits in exceptional circumstances).
Pupils will benefit from access to the firm’s library and will be provided with their own copy of the latest edition of Blackstone’s/Archbold. The firm will also pay for a pupil’s wig and gown and practising certificate.
Unless otherwise agreed, pupils will have the firm’s office as their base where they will work as part of a team with other colleagues. Pupils will benefit from a supportive a friendly atmosphere, working alongside their Pupil Supervisor. They will find it particularly useful to discuss their work with colleagues, as well as benefitting from the type of learning that can only happen working alongside colleagues in a vibrant, professional environment.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
We are deeply committed to broadening accessibility to the profession and are passionate about providing opportunities to those who may not fit what could be seen as the ‘traditional barrister mould’. For this reason, when considering pupillage applications we do not place any weight on factors, such as, the university and school attended (so long as the Bar Standard Board’s minimum mandatory requirements are met).
We are a firm based in South West England, offering a pupillage opportunity outside of a city in a beautiful area of the country. Should those who undertake pupillage with us choose to reside locally, they will not experience the frequent breadth of travel that Chambers’ pupillage can entail. This means that our pupillages promote a healthy work/life balance and are particularly suited to those with caring responsibilities.
We are a diverse team with staff members from a wide variety of backgrounds. This is clear from our Equality & Diversity data, demonstrating within a small team a diverse mix in terms of gender, age, race, ethnicity, education and background, and a strong LGBTQ+
presence. Our diversity is one of our key strengths and integral to our commitment to broaden access to a career at the Criminal Bar.
For more information, and to enquire about the accessibility of our organisation, please contact our Equality & Diversity Representative, Sarah Hill: sarahhill@hilltwine.co.uk or 01202 159166.
How to Apply
To apply for pupillage, please complete the attached application form in full (below) or available on our website under the pupillage job advert: https://hilltwine.co.uk/join-us/. The completed application form needs to be sent to Sarah Hill by the deadline of 30/09/24: sarahhill@hilltwine.co.uk.
Shortlisting will take place shortly after the application deadline. Application forms are scored against specified criteria to identify those who should be selected for interview. The number of applicants selected for interview is not pre-determined.
Interviews will take place in the week commencing 14/10/24. Each interview will last for no longer than 1 hour and will include a short advocacy exercise (a plea in mitigation). Applicants will be provided with the materials at least one week in advance of the interview date. Second-round interviews will only take place if there are a number of candidates who have the same score. In this event, second-round interviews will take place in the week commencing 21/10/24.
Whilst it is intended for pupillage to commence in November, this can be altered if necessary (for example, in the event of the successful applicant needing to re-locate, give notice to an existing employer etc.).
We recruit pupils with a view to offering a permanent employment contract as an Employed Barrister, subject to successful completion of pupillage. Further information can be found on our website: https://hilltwine.co.uk/join-us/
For more information on pupillage with us, including the criteria used to assess applicants, please visit our website: https://hilltwine.co.uk/join-us/.
If you have any questions or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Hill: sarahhill@hilltwine.co.uk or 01202 159166.
