Pupillage Vacancy Information
Financial support: Grant & Guaranteed earnings
KBG Chambers provides guaranteed financial support of £25,000. This is paid as follows;
- £5,000 one month in advance of commencement of the pupillage. Chambers understands the costs involved in starting pupillage (which often involves moving to a new geographical area) and therefore we provide an advance payment of £5,000 1 month before pupillage commences on the 2nd October 2023.
- £10,000 - for the non-practising period (usually first six months);
- £10,000 - guaranteed earnings in the practising period (usually second six months). In previous years, the amount received by pupils in their practising period has considerably exceeded the guaranteed earnings amount.
We fund all pupils to attend the compulsory courses required within their pupillage period (including the costs of transport and accommodation). Travel costs during the non-practising period are paid for hearings outside of the designated Chambers’ location and any additional events pupils attend on behalf of Chambers.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
KBG Chambers is committed to equal opportunities and our recruitment policies have been designed to prevent any discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, disability, sexuality, religion and age.
As part of the application process, KBG Chambers considers all information provided by applicants in relation to difficult or extenuating circumstances.
Applicants with a disability are encouraged to contact the pupillage coordinator, Jennifer Tear, in confidence to discuss any adjustments that would assist in relation to their application.
How to Apply
Aspiring barristers are invited to apply to chambers between Wednesday 4 January 2023 and Wednesday 8 February 2023 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 barrister? (Maximum characters 1200)
2. Why do you want to join KBG chambers? (Maximum Characters 1200)
3. In which area(s) of law do you wish to practice and why? (Maximum Characters 1200)
4. What do you think is the most challenging part of a career as a barrister? (Maximum Characters 1200)
About AETO and Structure of Pupillage
Chambers of Mr Deni Mathews
KBG Chambers is seeking to recruit 2 or 3 pupils to commence pupillage in October 2023.
KBG Chambers is a leading common law set on the Western Circuit. Members practice in Family, Crime and Civil law, with many of these members being recommended in the Legal 500 2023 edition. We are interested in receiving applications from prospective pupils who wish to practice in any of these areas, and even a combination that suits you and your interests.
With Chambers in Plymouth, Truro and Exeter, we are based within the beautiful South West, with good access to both the sea and the moors. Our members predominantly undertake work in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, but we do receive instructions in courts across the UK. In November 2023 we moved into our new bespoke Chambers at The Royal William Yard, Plymouth, complete with rooms for virtual hearings. Along with our website launch in 2022, and increased presence on social media, Chambers believes in increasing its presence in the legal community as well as the local business community. With a passion for wellbeing and a positive mental health we believe this move will allow of members to flourish in their careers.
Our process for selecting pupils aims to identify those who will be outstanding candidates to join Chambers as members at the end of their pupillage. We have no limit on the number of tenancies that we offer at the end of pupillage; pupils are not in competition with one another for tenancies and we are proud of our high pupil retention rate.
Our pupils can look forward to well-structured pupillage with a high level of training from their pupil supervisors (and seat supervisors) all of whom are specialists in their respective fields. Not only will pupils be supported by their supervisors, but they will also receive the support and guidance from other members of chambers, as well as the clerking team. Included in this support is regular reviews with the pupillage coordinator and senior clerk, and access to our pupillage mentoring scheme. We pride ourselves on not only the support pupils receive during pupillage but the great support network Chambers has for young tenants.
KBG Chambers organises a number of events throughout the year. These include members delivering seminars, attending events organised by the local Law Society and Plymouth University, and a number of social events within Chambers.
We are looking for pupils with a strong academic record (ideally a First or Upper Second class degree, although we may consider applicants with lower results that can demonstrate a high level of relevant experience and a commitment to working at the bar). We also seek applicants with a desire to work on the Western Circuit, and be based in the South West.
PUPILLAGE OPEN EVENING
On Thursday 12th January 2023, KBG Chambers will be holding a virtual seminar for prospective pupils. This will be attended by Head of Chambers, Pupillage Coordinator and KBG’s current pupils. It will provide attendees an opportunity to learn more about KBG Chambers and pupillage with us, to hear about our current pupils’ experiences so far and to answer any questions. KBG Chambers invites anyone considering making an application, or wishing to find out more about our chambers and pupillage to join. Please contact our Senior Clerk Colin Palmer (colin@kbgchambers.co.uk) for details and the link.
If you have any questions in the meantime, we are always happy to assist and you can contact Jennifer Tear jtear@kbgchambers.co.uk, Pupillage Co-ordinator, and Colin Palmer, Senior Clerk colin@kbgchambers.co.uk and they will happily assist.
Why not join something special!
Unit 18, Mills Bakery, Royal William Yard, Plymouth, Devon PL1 3GE and 23 Frances Street, Truro, TR1 3DP.
T: 01752 221551
