Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Twenty Essex is proud to be an inclusive environment and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all. We have an internationally diverse membership and employee group, and a long-term commitment to diversity is one of chambers’ strategic objectives.
Improving the fairness, objectivity and awareness of our recruitment process is just one piece of the jigsaw that will lead to a more diverse Bar. We were the first chambers to adopt Rare’s Contextual Recruitment System to review applications for pupillage in the context of candidates’ socio-economic background, and constantly strive to reduce the risk of unconscious bias and other factors that may lead to particular groups being underrepresented within chambers.
As a set, we are a signatory to the Women in Law Pledge, and participate in Bridging the Bar’s mini-pupillage programme, Combar’s Mentoring Scheme For Underrepresented Groups and 10,000 Black Interns, while our Members participate in mentoring through all four Inns of Court schemes and the Social Mobility Foundation.
Twenty Essex’s premises are compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act. If you would like to discuss any particular requirements for adjustments to services or have any questions relating to our equality and diversity policy, please contact our HR Manager, Kylie Coker, at kcoker@twentyessex.com.
How to Apply
Aspiring barristers are invited to apply to chambers between Wednesday 3 January 2024 and Wednesday 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, please respond to the following questions from chambers:
1. We only offer interviews to candidates who have either been offered or completed a mini pupillage at Twenty Essex. What date were you offered a mini pupillage with us or on what date(s) did you complete your mini pupillage with us? (Please note your pupillage application cannot also be considered as a mini pupillage application. See our website for full details and criteria.) (max. 50 words)
2. Why do you believe you will make a good barrister? In your answer, please identify any relevant additional experiences or skills that you believe may help you in your career. (max. 250 words)
3. What areas of practice are you interested in and why? (max. 250 words)
4. Please give your reasons for choosing to apply to Twenty Essex. (max. 250 words)
About AETO and Structure of Pupillage
Pupillage at Twenty Essex offers the opportunity to train with barristers at the top of their profession in a highly successful, international and friendly set at the cutting edge of commercial and international law.
We:
- seek outstanding applicants
- value diversity: for instance, we were the first chambers to adopt Rare’s Contextual Recruitment System
- have a high retention rate: over 90% of our pupils have been taken on as tenants in the last three years
- provide a detailed, structured training programme: we don’t just test, we teach
- are a friendly chambers with a supportive atmosphere
- provide a generous award of £75,000, with drawdown and other benefits
- emphasise work–life balance for pupils
- don’t have numbers limits: if you achieve tenancy standard you will be offered tenancy.
For more details and our full selection criteria, please see our website. The next deadline for mini-pupillage applications is 31 December 2023. We only interview candidates who have been offered, or have completed a mini pupillage at Twenty Essex. The interview dates will be Friday 12 and Saturday 13 April 2024. We look forward to your application.
Any Other Relevant Information
You may wish to look at our top tips on applying for commercial pupillage.
Twenty Essex will be running a webinar for prospective applicants, Countdown to Pupillage: T-minus Twenty, on Wednesday 10 January. Join four of our barristers at various levels of call, as they share their experiences and tips on applying for a pupillage and life as a new tenant.
Sign up to book your spot and submit your questions in advance. A recording will be available to watch back later.
