Pupillage Vacancy Information
About Authorised Education and Training Organisation
We are a specialist set of family law barristers, offering clients our expertise in public and private children law disputes, adoption matters, financial remedies after relationship breakdown and in the Court of Protection.
Members of chambers regularly appear in high profile and complex cases and you can find information about recent cases we’ve been involved with on our website and social media. We predominantly work across London, the Midlands, and the South East, which is where our pupils spend the majority of their time, but are increasingly appearing in courts all across England and Wales.
Structure of Pupillage
We generally recruit two 12-month pupillages each year and offer a competitive pupillage award for each. In early 2025 we will be looking to recruit two pupils to begin in October 2025 and two pupils to begin in October 2026. Candidates may specify their preference and availability on their applications.
We view every pupil as a potential tenant and invest in our recruits accordingly. We do not have an annual quota for pupils or new tenants which means that we need only recruit those who we feel will flourish in practice with us. We pride ourselves on our friendly and inclusive atmosphere. The goal of the first six months’ of pupillage with us is to make sure that you are equipped to tackle a range of different cases across our practice areas from the very start of your second six.
Each pupil will have 3 different supervisors during their 12-month pupillage, each covering chambers’ primary practice areas. In the weeks leading up to the second six months of pupillage, pupils will spend increasing time with junior members, ensuring they are exposed to the type of work they will experience once on their feet.
Chambers is ranked in Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 with more and more individuals being each year.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
New Court Chambers is committed to widening access to our profession and building a supportive and sustainable platform for each of our members' careers. Principles of inclusion and fairness are built into the way we recruit from the earliest stages and we publish information on our website about our diversity monitoring and key policies.
We welcome applications from candidates from any socio-economic background or academic history, those at the beginning of their first careers or those changing to a new profession.
Each pupillage application is marked by reference only to indicators of merit (achievement, effort, experience(s), and enthusiasm). We review the marking criteria annually to ensure their fairness.
Much more information is available on the EDI and recruitment sections of our website.
Candidates are welcome to contact chambers if they have any specific questions about accessibility ahead of an application (clerks@newcourtchambers.com).
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 barrister? In your answer, please identify any relevant experiences or skills that you believe may help you in your career. (max. 300 words)
2. Why do you want to join New Court Chambers? In your answer, please give reasons for your choice of chambers and explain why you are interested in our areas of practice. (max. 300 words)
3. Why are you interested in family law? (max. 300 words)
4. What has been the biggest challenge you have experienced and how did you overcome this? (max. 300 words)
5. What was the most interesting thing you have done during the last year? (max. 300 words)
