Equality Diversity and Inclusion
No pupil or person being considered for Pupillage will be discriminated directly or indirectly against or victimised on grounds of their race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, religion or political persuasion.
Any accessibility queries can be directed to Mike Blitz (Head of Pupillage) at mike.blitz@qsc.law
How to Apply
Aspiring barristers are invited to apply to chambers between Wednesday 4 January 2023 and Wednesday 8 February 2023 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:
- 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. 1500 characters)
- Why do you want to join Queen Square Chambers? (max. 1500 characters)
- What is your advocacy experience? (max. 1500 characters)
- What do you expect from a common law pupillage? (max. 1500 characters)
- "Giving Defendants the option to be tried by Judge alone is the best way to reduce the currently unacceptable waiting time for a Crown Court trial" Please provide (i) two arguments for and (ii) two arguments against the above proposition. (max. 2500 characters)
About AETO and Structure of Pupillage
Queen Square Chambers is offering up to three 12-month general common law pupillages to commence in October 2023, with an award of £25,000.
Chambers is located in Bristol and our members are instructed in cases nationwide, with a particular focus on the Western and Wales and Chester Circuits.
During pupillage you can expect to have 3 pupil supervisors each for a four-month period. Alongside the Western Circuit advocacy training, Chambers provides its own advocacy assessments to best prepare you for second six, as well as comprehensive feedback on all written work.
Once you start your second six you can expect a busy and varied diary in all areas of Chambers work. Alongside Magistrates Court work, recent pupils have been instructed in Crown Court matters, Family proceedings, Fast Track trials and Employment Tribunals. New tenants have been able to build upon this platform of mixed work to forge successful practices, often exceeding the levels of their contemporaries in London.
Chambers only offers pupillage with a view to tenancy and is proud to have an excellent recruitment record in this regard. The tenancy decision is usually made within one month before the completion of pupillage.
Funding
The overall funding of £25,000 is broken down as follows:
i) a grant of £4,000 is available to pupils in August 2023 to assist with any upfront costs (e.g. relocation);
ii) first-six funding is £10,500, payable monthly, with travel expenses reimbursed;
iii) second six earning are guaranteed at £10,500, topped up monthly pro rata based on receipts. Recent pupils' receipts have consistently exceeded this sum.
Chambers does not charge rent on second six earnings, nor operate any "claw back" provisions should receipts exceed guaranteed earnings. New tenants also benefit from a reduced rent structure.
The cost of all compulsory training during pupillage is met by chambers.
