Pupillage Vacancy Information
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.
Further details of our vision and values can be found here: https://www.parklaneplowden.co.uk/vision-and-values/
Pupillages
We are offering a Chancery & Commercial Pupillage which will involve exposure to chancery and commercial litigation. This includes contentious probate and trust work, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act and all forms of property work. The commercial work our pupils often deal with includes partnership disputes, banking and finance and general commercial litigation.
We will try to accommodate candidates’ preferences about whether they are located in Leeds or Newcastle as far as we are able, though the Chancery & Commercial Pupillages will be based in Leeds.
Open Evenings /Pupillage Fair
We are hosting open evenings on Tuesday 9th December 2025 in Leeds and Thursday 11th December 2025 in Newcastle, starting at 6pm.
These will be informal events providing a chance to meet some of our current pupils and members, have a look around premises and listen to a few short presentations about the pupillages we have on offer, our different practice areas, as well as our selection process and how best to approach it.
If you would like to attend, please RSVP to events@parklaneplowden.co.uk by Friday 5 December 2025.
Further information can be found
- In our Pupillage Guide: here
- In our Pupillage Training Program: here
We will also be attending the Pupillage Fair North in Manchester on 29 November 2025.
All of our pupillages are funded by an overall package worth at least £45,000 over the 12 months made up as follows:
- An award of £20,000 for the first six months to be paid pro rata at the end of each month;
- Guaranteed receipts of at least £25,000 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.
If a prospective pupil wishes to draw down part of their pupillage award early, we are more than happy to facilitate that.
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 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.
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:
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.
Applications must be made on our Application Forms which are available on our website:
https://www.parklaneplowden.co.uk/pupillages/
Any Other Relevant Information
All first-round interviews are likely to take place on a Saturday in late February or early March.
All second-round interviews are likely to take place on a Saturday in late March or April.
The interview dates will be confirmed on our website in due course.
A full list of our practice areas can be found here:
Attached documents
