Please Note: The application deadline for this job has now passed.
Pupillage Vacancy Information
About Serjeants' Inn
Serjeants’ Inn is a modern, common law set, handling a wide range of medical, police, professional discipline, regulatory, business & specialist crime and public law cases, in some of the most interesting litigation in England and Wales today. They are always of the utmost human significance: we work in partnership with our instructing solicitors to secure the best outcome and to support the lay client throughout.
Our cases often involve new and important legal points, spanning elements of both public and private law, and they affect the rights of both individuals and the state. We are frequently instructed to act in test cases. Our barristers deal with litigation relating to the issues of our day such as assisted suicide, the refugee crisis, historic child abuse allegations and national security, to name just a few.
We are described by The Legal 500 as a “stand-out set with a first class team”: our success stems directly from the calibre of our barristers and staff alike. Recruiting the right people is therefore vital. Given its importance, we have developed a bespoke careers website. It brings together all sorts of details about what it’s like to work at Serjeants’ Inn, illustrating why you might want to join us as a pupil.
Our cases often involve new and important legal points, spanning elements of both public and private law, and they affect the rights of both individuals and the state. We are frequently instructed to act in test cases. Our barristers deal with litigation relating to the issues of our day such as assisted suicide, the refugee crisis, historic child abuse allegations and national security, to name just a few.
We are described by The Legal 500 as a “stand-out set with a first class team”: our success stems directly from the calibre of our barristers and staff alike. Recruiting the right people is therefore vital. Given its importance, we have developed a bespoke careers website. It brings together all sorts of details about what it’s like to work at Serjeants’ Inn, illustrating why you might want to join us as a pupil.
Structure of Pupillage
You will start with your first supervisor for 4 months: you will be “non-practising” during this period and the first two months of the second half of your pupillage. Your working hours will generally be 9:00am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday. After 4 months you will change supervisors with your second 6 starting 2 months in. During your second 6 you will work with your supervisor, but you will also have your own cases and court appearances. You will begin to work directly with solicitors and Chambers’ clerks. After 8 months you will change supervisors again. See the full pupillage structure and timeline here.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We recruit purely on merit in accordance with our equality and diversity policy, encourage applications from all sections of the community and are happy to make reasonable adjustments as necessary for those with disabilities. Read more about equality, diversity and inclusion at Serjeants' Inn here.
Pupillage Award
Pupils taken on for pupillage in October 2025 will be granted an award totalling £70,000, comprising a grant of £40,000 payable in regular instalments throughout the first 6 months of pupillage together with guaranteed earnings in the second 6 months of pupillage of £30,000. Guaranteed earnings refer to fees billed – there may be some delay between when clients are billed and when those bills are paid, but we strive to ensure this period is as short as possible. You are entitled to keep any earnings you make above this amount. Up to £10,000 may be drawn down by way of loan before the commencement of pupillage for the purpose of assisting with tuition fees and the like.
How to Apply
Aspiring barristers are invited to apply to chambers between 3 January 2024 and 7 February 2024 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? In your answer, please identify any relevant experiences or skills that you believe may help you in your career (max 250 words)
2.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 250 words)
3.Please identify any additional experiences / skills gained that you believe may help you in your career. (Max 250 words)
4.What areas of practice are you interested in and why? (Max 250 words)
5.Give reasons for your choice of chambers. (Max 250 words)
