Pupillage Vacancy Information
About Authorised Education and Training Organisation
Chambers operates from four centres, London, Winchester, Canterbury and Swindon.
Historically a Western Circuit set, a significant amount of family and civil work is now undertaken on the South Eastern and other Circuits, however, the vast majority of our criminal work is undertaken on the Western Circuit, largely in Winchester, Southampton and Bournemouth.
There are over 120 members of Chambers at present (including 7 silks), about half of whom are based in London, and half in Winchester, Canterbury or Swindon. Members of all teams regularly appear in the High Court and the Court of Appeal. About 60% of our work is on the Western Circuit, including most of the crime. Most of our Circuit work is in Hampshire (about an hour on the train from London) but we also travel to Dorset, Wiltshire and further afield. Our London practitioners travel out on Circuit when their practice requires it.
Our Criminal barristers undertake general crime, regulatory crime, disciplinary work and courts martial work (in this country and abroad). Our Criminal barristers prosecute and defend. Sarah Jones KC is ranked as a Leading Silk in Legal 500 and several members of the team are ranked as Leading Juniors or Rising Stars. Two are ranked as Leading Juniors in Business and Regulatory Crime. Several members are also ranked in Chambers and Partners where we are one of only 15 sets commended by Chambers & Partners for our client service.
Structure of Pupillage
We welcome applications for pupillage from bright and enthusiastic prospective pupils who have a passion to specialise exclusively at the Criminal Bar. Our Criminal pupillage is offered on a combination of academic merit and success at interview. The Criminal pupillage is for twelve months commencing in October 2026, although adjustments may be made if necessary. The majority of this Criminal pupillage will be based in and around Winchester.
We encourage you to travel with your supervisors although not necessarily to every hearing, nor to those at a great distance. We also encourage you to see other members of Chambers at work, particularly the junior tenants, in order to familiarise yourself with the type of work you will be doing in the practising period of your pupillage. We aim to ensure that our pupillages are as varied and interesting as possible.
See more at: https://www.pumpcourtchambers.com/join-us/pupillage/
Financial and Other Support Available
Chambers provides an EAP Wellbeing Service via Health Assured which is accessible to all members, staff and pupils. All pupils will be allocated with a mentor and a buddy to help them through pupillage and Chambers also has a number of appointed Wellbeing Representatives for support and assistance to all.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
We are a multiracial and multicultural set with barristers, clerks and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds. Our diversity is one of our key strengths and is central to our success. Our members come from diverse ethnic, racial, religious and social backgrounds and nationalities. Our latest equality and diversity survey results show that 42% of our barristers are female, that our barristers have different religious, political and philosophical views and that we have a strong LGBTQ presence in chambers.
Our head of chambers, Oba Nsugbe KC, is one of only three BME silks to lead a set of chambers on the UK, and before her appointment to the bench, HHJ Jane Miller KC shared this role with him, then making Pump Court the only set of chambers in the UK to be led by a female silk and a BME silk.
The age range in chambers spans from 19 to 75. We strive to comply with the Bar Council’s Equality & Diversity Code and also have our own policy, which is available to view on request. We make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees, pupils and members and we regularly review our parental leave, flexible working, harassment and equal opportunities policies.
Any Other Relevant Information
Pupillages are offered on a combination of academic merit and success at interview. If you are successful at the first interview you will be invited to a second interview. Offers will be made in accordance with the Pupillage Gateway timetable after the completion of the second interviews.
How to Apply
Aspiring barristers are invited to apply to chambers between 2nd January 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 Chambers:
1. Why do you wish to become a barrister? (max 200 words)
2. Why do you believe you will make a good barrister? In your answer, please identify any relevant experience or skills that you believe may help you in your career (max 200 words)
3. Please identify any additional experience / skills gained that you believe may help you in your career. (max 200 words)
4. Why do you have the interest and ambition to practice at the criminal bar? (max 200 words)
5. Give reasons for your choice of chambers. (max 200 words)
