Pupillage Vacancy Information
About Authorised Education and Training Organisation
PLP is a leading specialist civil and family set on the North-Eastern Circuit, formed in 2007 following the merger of Park Lane Chambers (Leeds) and Plowden Chambers (Newcastle), creating what The Lawyer described as a Northern “powerhouse”.
Chambers is forward thinking, democratic and progressive, underpinned by unique and modern business structures.
Structure of Pupillage
Pupillages
We are offering up to 6 pupillages commencing October 2026.
Two Civil & Employment Pupillages, one based in Leeds, one based in Newcastle: exposure primarily to personal injury, clinical negligence and employment work, with opportunities to experience some of our other civil practice areas too. We will seek to adapt the pupillages according to the interests of the pupil, having regard to Chambers’ business needs at the time.
Two or three Family Pupillages, one or two based in Leeds, one based in Newcastle: exposure to all aspects of family law including public and private child work, applications under Part IV Family Law Act 1996, matrimonial finance, financial provision for children under Schedule 1, cohabitation disputes and Inheritance Act applications, as well as to our expanding area of practice within the Court of Protection. Members of Chambers regularly represent local authorities, parents, children, the Official Solicitor, as well as private clients.
A Chancery & Commercial Pupillage based in Leeds: exposure to a range of chancery and commercial litigation including contentious probate and trust work, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act, all forms of property work, partnership disputes, banking and finance and general commercial litigation.
Open Evening
We are hosting an Open Evening on 10th December 2024 at 6pm in our Leeds premises.
It will be an informal event providing a chance to meet some of our current pupils and members, have a look around the building and listen to a few short presentations about the pupillages we have an offer, our different practice areas, as well as our selection process and how best to approach it. Further details about it and how to sign up, and about pupillages generally can be found on our website:
www.parklaneplowden.co.uk/pupillages
Further information can be found
- In our Pupillage Guide: here
- In our Pupillage Training Program: here
Financial and Other Support Available
All of our pupillages are funded by an overall package worth at least £35,000 over the 12 months made up as follows:
- An award of £15,000 for the first six months to be paid pro rata at the end of each month;
- Guaranteed receipts of at least £20,000 for the second six months.
However, we anticipate pupils will generate income significantly in excess of the guaranteed receipts, with billing in the first full year of practice likely to exceed £100,000.
Chambers will pay for each pupil’s reasonable travel and accommodation expenses incurred during the course of pupillage when accompanying members of Chambers, the cost of all compulsory training courses and travel expenses to attend such courses and the costs of attending Mess on Circuit. At the start of the first six months, Chambers will provide each pupil with an advance to cover anticipated expenses in the month ahead.
We are happy to discuss providing an advance of part of the pupillage award.
We understand the importance of pastoral support. In addition to their pupil supervisors, pupils will be allocated a “junior mentor”, will attend internal training sessions and will have regular appraisals with a member of the Pupillage Committee to ensure they are happy with their pupillage and progress.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Chambers is committed to equal opportunities for all, irrespective of background, and to promoting and improving diversity at the Bar. We particularly encourage applications from those in groups underrepresented at the Bar.
Further details of our approach to Equality and Diversity and the various initiatives we have been involved in can be found at the following links:
- Equality and Diversity generally: here
- CSR and Outreach: here
- The PLP Foundation: here
We monitor diversity by way of our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Forms which candidates are invited to also complete with their applications. These forms are used only for monitoring purposes, they are kept separate from the application forms and are not used as part of the selection process.
Our Equality & Diversity Officers, Nicola Twine and Leila Benyounes, are happy to discuss any queries prospective pupils may have.
How to Apply
Applications must be made on our Application Forms which are available on our website:
For Civil & Employment Pupillages, interviews will be held in person in Leeds or Newcastle and are provisionally scheduled to take place on 15th March (1st round) and 29th April (2nd round).
For Family Pupillages, interviews will be held in person in Leeds or Newcastle and are provisionally scheduled to take place on 22nd March (1st round) and 12th April (2nd round).
For the Commercial & Chancery pupillage, interviews will be held in person in Leeds and are provisionally scheduled to take place on 22nd March (1st round) and 26th April (2nd round).
The interview dates will be confirmed on our website in due course.
