Pupillage Vacancy Information
Chambers guarantees earnings of £18,884 (£9,442 in each period of six months). Pupils in their 2nd Six earn in excess of £25,000 on average and our first year tenants earn in excess of £65,000 on average. Nil expenses are charged on second six pupil receipts, which means all receipts during the six months are the pupil’s exclusively. Chambers charges a modest and highly competitive rate of expenses of 13% to all first year tenants from pupillage. Whilst we expect high standards throughout pupillage, all offers of pupillage are made with the intention that the pupil will become a tenant on successfully completing pupillage.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
We recognise the further strides the Bar needs to take in becoming a more diverse profession. St Mary’s takes its commitment to equality and diversity very seriously. We operate an equal opportunities recruitment policy and encourages applications from candidates from all backgrounds regardless of age, gender, race, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, religion or disability. We especially welcome applications from those presently under-represented within the profession and we apply an equal opportunities tie breaker under the Equality Act 2010 where two candidates of equal merit are scored equally. We never recruit less qualified candidates over more qualified candidates.
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:
1. Why do you want to be a barrister at St Mary’s Chambers a Family Law Chambers in the East Midlands? (250 words)
2. What three specific qualities or attributes do you believe would make you be a good family law barrister? (300 words)
3. Family barristers often deal with highly emotive clients or emotive situations on a daily basis. What experience of experiences do you have that make you believe you would be good at this sort of work? (300 words).
About AETO and Structure of Pupillage
About Us
St Mary’s is nationally recognised as a leading set specialising in all aspects of Family Law. Our Chambers, is well known for its friendly and welcoming reputation and the excellent quality of our barristers. Our members are instructed at all levels of the Family Court including the most complex financial remedy cases and private and public law children cases. St Mary’s have had a number of our tenants appointed to the judiciary in recent years.
Our Chambers is thriving, and we are looking for the best to join our ranks.
The Positions
To satisfy the significant growth in our work, St Marys is aiming to recruit at least 2 pupils to commence in June and October 2023 with the potential to recruit a third pupil to commence in February 2024. A reserve list of candidates will be made where the quality of candidates justifies it.
Pupils will be in Court throughout their pupillage. You will be supported and mentored by members of Chambers and benefit from our pro-active support of your professional development. Alongside a pupil supervisor you will be allocated a more junior buddy who will offer informal support, when needed. We expect pupils to have very busy practices in their 2nd Six starting at three days in court each week progressing to 5 days each week during 2nd Six.
Who Should Apply?
We are looking for the very best candidates, especially those prepared to make a commitment to a career on the Midland Circuit. The minimum degree requirement is a 2.2. The minimum BPTC requirement is Competent. St Mary’s welcomes applications from candidates who have not completed their degree, GDL or BPTC studies. Pupillage will be offered to candidates in these circumstances on the condition that they meet these minimum requirements and have obtained the final grade prior to commencing pupillage.
Any Other Relevant Information
First round interviews will take place on 18 March 2023 and the final round interview will take place on 15 April 2023. The interviews will take place in person. It is important you note these dates at this point.
