Pupillage Vacancy Information
About the Authorised Education and Training Organisation
KBW Chambers is a multi-disciplinary set with a long-established reputation for excellence both on the North Eastern Circuit and nationally. Chambers has a large criminal team which prosecutes and defends at all levels and routinely conducts complex, sensitive and high-profile cases. Chambers also has specialist civil, family, police, and inquests and inquiries teams, with members recommended across all practice areas.
We invite applications for two 12-month pupillages commencing in September 2027 and are seeking to recruit those with the potential to become successful tenants in Chambers.
Applicants are assessed on intellectual ability, written and oral advocacy, interpersonal skills, temperament, and their understanding of the nature of the work undertaken at the Bar and at KBW Chambers in particular.
Pupils will have a mixed pupillage, with focus on criminal and operational police law, and gain experience in a range of other practice areas whilst retaining a single pupil supervisor. Our pupils are expected to travel across Circuit during pupillage.
We have a strong commitment to pupillage and provide first-class education and training in a supportive and friendly learning environment.
If you have any queries regarding pupillage at KBW Chambers then please contact Ian Mullarkey at ianmullarkey@kbwchambers.com
Financial and Other Support Available
For pupillages commencing in September 2027, KBW Chambers will pay a grant of £15,000 and guarantee earnings during the practicing period of £25,000, giving total minimum earnings of £40,000 during pupillage.
Pupils do not pay Chambers contributions on any income during pupillage and Chambers meets reasonable travel costs and the cost of all compulsory pupil training courses.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
KBW Chambers are committed to diversity and particularly welcome applicants from backgrounds that are under-represented at the Bar including (but non-exhaustively) women, people of minority ethnic origin, people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, people with disabilities and those who are LGBTQIA+.
KBW Chambers has developed a bespoke mentoring programme for those from under-represented backgrounds where members assist applicants develop the skills and experience necessary to enhance their pupillage application and provide practical support and guidance on completing application forms and preparing for interview.
KBW Chambers are committed to avoiding bias in the recruitment process. All members of Chambers involved in recruitment receive equality and diversity training and application forms are anonymised before being assessed to avoid unconscious bias. All applications are independently assessed by two members of Chambers.
KBW Chambers are happy to make reasonable adjustments for applicants. If you are invited to interview, we will discuss with you how we can accommodate your needs.
How to Apply
Aspiring barristers are invited to apply to Chambers between 11 am on Monday 5th January 2026 and 11.59 pm on Thursday 22nd January 2026 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 questions, applicants will be asked to respond to the following questions from 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. (1,500 character limit)
- Why do you want to join KBW Chambers? In your answer, please give reasons for your choice and explain why you are interested in our areas of practice. (1,500 character limit)
- Please give an example of an occasion when you tried to change someone's mind about something. Briefly explain the situation, what you did or said, and what the result was. (1,500 character limit)
- Apart from your academic studies, which two experiences have been the most influential on you and why? (1,500 character limit)
- If you have previously applied for pupillage at KBW and been unsuccessful, how have you developed since that time? (1,500 character limit)
