Pupillage Vacancy Information
KBG Chambers is seeking to recruit 3 pupils to commence pupillage in October 2025.
KBG Chambers is a leading common law set on the Western Circuit. Members practise in family, crime and civil law, with many recommended in the Legal 500. We are interested in receiving applications from prospective pupils who wish to practise in any of these areas.
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 and tribunals across the UK. In November 2022 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, KBG Chambers believes in increasing its visibility in the legal community as well as the local business community.
Our process for selecting pupils aims to identify those who will be outstanding candidates to join KBG 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, all of whom are specialists in their respective fields. Pupils will receive support and guidance from their supervisors, other members of chambers and the clerking team. This will include regular reviews with the pupillage coordinator and practice director, and access to our pupillage mentoring scheme. We pride ourselves on the support provided both during pupillage and during the early years of tenancy
KBG Chambers organises a number of events throughout the year. These include members delivering seminars, attending events organised by the local Law Society and university, and a number of social events within chambers.
We are looking for pupils with a strong academic record and seek applicants with a desire to work on the Western Circuit, and be based in the South West.
Please take time to look at our social media pages including LinkedIn, Facebook and our own website. For more details about out pupillage please visit our pupillage website page on - https://www.kbgchambers.co.uk/pupillage
Interviews
Our 1st round interviews will take place on Saturday 22nd March 2025 via Microsoft TEAMS.
Our 2nd round interview will take place on Saturday 26th April 2025 in person at our Plymouth chambers.
Pupillage open evening
On Tuesday 14th January 2025, KBG Chambers will be holding a virtual seminar for prospective pupils. This will be attended by pupillage coordinator, practice director and two of KBG Chambers’ recent pupils. It provides an opportunity to learn more about KBG Chambers and pupillage with us, to hear about our pupils’ experiences 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 practice director Colin Palmer (colin@kbgchambers.co.uk) for details and the link.
Structure of Pupillage
Pupillages are divided into two periods (the non-practising and practising periods).
You will be matched with a pupil supervisor and can expect to spend the majority of your non-practising period with them, but you will spend time with other members to ensure that you gain experience of a range of hearings in your chosen practice areas.
Each year we create a mentor group which consists of the 4-5 most junior tenants. These mentors assist with the day to day questions a pupil may have and can share and ask about experiences of those who have recently completed pupillage. A Whatsapp group is created and regular social 'catch ups' are arranged with the mentors and pupils.
Financial and Other Support Available
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;
- £10,000 - for the non-practising period (usually first six months);
- £10,000 - guaranteed earnings in the practising period (usually second six months). In past 10 years, the amount received by pupils in their practising period has considerably exceeded the guaranteed earnings amount. This is in all areas of law.
We fund pupils’ costs to attend the compulsory courses required within their pupillage period (including the costs of travel and accommodation). Reasonable travel costs during the non-practising period are paid when pupils are attending hearings outside of the designated chambers location and any additional events pupils attend on behalf of KBG Chambers.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
KBG Chambers is committed to equal opportunities and our recruitment policies have been designed to prevent any unlawful discrimination.
Applicants with a disability or additional need are encouraged to contact the pupillage coordinator, James Jarvis (01752 221551, jjarvis@kbgchambers.co.uk), in confidence, to discuss any adjustments that would assist in relation to their application.
As part of the application process, KBG Chambers considers all information provided by applicants in relation to extenuating circumstances.
How to Apply
Applicants are invited to apply between 2nd January 2025 and 6th February 2025, 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 KBG Chambers:
- Why do you believe you will make a good barrister? In your answer, please identify any relevant experiences or skills that you believe may help you in your career (maximum 200 words)
- Why do you want to join KBG chambers? In your answer, please give reasons for your choice of chambers and explain why you are interested in our areas of practice (maximum 200 words)
- What do you think will be the most significant challenge when undertaking pupillage? (maximum 200 words)
- What unique qualities do you possess that you believe sets you apart from other applicants? (maximum 200 words)
