Pupillage Vacancy Information
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.
The key features of pupillage at Twenty Essex:
- We are a leading commercial and public international law set.
- We seek outstanding applicants.
- Diversity and inclusivity are very important to us. We were the first chambers to adopt Rare’s CSR.
- High retention rate: nearly 90% of pupils over the last five years have joined chambers as tenants following pupillage, rising to 100% over the last three years.
- A detailed, structured training programme. We do not just test: we teach.
- Friendly and supportive atmosphere in chambers.
- Generous award of £75,000, with drawdown and other benefits.
- An emphasis on work/life balance for pupils.
- No 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 2024. We only interview candidates who have been offered, or have completed a mini pupillage at Twenty Essex. We look forward to your application.
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 2 January 2025 and Wednesday 6 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, please respond to the following questions from Chambers:
- 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. 1200 characters)
- 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. 1200 characters)
- What areas of practice are you interested in and why? (max. 1200 characters)
- Please give your reasons for choosing to apply to Twenty Essex. (max. 1200 characters)
Any Other Relevant Information
You may wish to look at our top tips on applying for commercial pupillage.
We are running two webinars of interest to prospective pupils. Both will be broadcast live, and recordings will be available to watch back later.
Find your voice: An introduction to advocacy – 5pm, Monday 16 December. Tips to build your confidence and hone your skills for the advocacy element of pupillage applications and interviews, other presentations or moots, and future court and arbitration appearances. Find out more, register and submit your questions, or watch back.
Countdown to Pupillage: T-minus Twenty – 5pm, Thursday 9 January. Join a panel of barristers at various levels of call, as they share their experiences and tips on applying for a pupillage and life as a new tenant. Find out more, register and submit your questions, or watch back.
