Pupillage Vacancy Information
Chambers has been based in the thriving West Country city of Exeter since 1971 and has been known as Walnut House since 1992. Members of chambers practice in Crime, Family and Civil and pupils will have the option of spending time in all three practice areas, with a view to specializing in one area in due course. If applicants have a particular interest in one or more of our practice areas we will endeavour to accommodate this during their pupillage. Pupillage structureThe successful applicants will spend six months shadowing members of the crime, family and civil teams at different levels of seniority. The second six will involve the successful applicant undertaking their own court work in courts throughout the Western Circuit. As we are a small set we are able to tailor our pupillages to the successful applicants. The successful applicants will each have a pupil supervisor who has overall responsibility for ensuring that their training needs are met and each pupil will be assigned a mentor who will take responsibility for their welfare during pupillage. Regular meetings will be arranged so that pupils will have an opportunity to discuss their progress and raise any concerns that they may have. At the outset pupils will be provided with a training plan which will set out what is expected of them during pupillage and how the pupils will be assessed. This plan will also set out the support that will be offered and we will tailor the training to each pupil’s level of experience and skillset. During the course of the year pupils will be supported to carry out advocacy exercises and will submit written work on which feedback will be given. Our aim is to support each and every pupil to reach their full potential. Chambers does not require its pupils to make a separate application for tenancy. Decisions on tenancy will be made towards the end of pupillage based on assessed advocacy exercises and the written work undertaken. How to ApplyApplications for pupillage should be made by completing the application form on the Pupillage Gateway. There will be two rounds of interviews with at least one of those involving an advocacy exercise, such as a plea in mitigation, which will be given to candidates on the day. Chambers will then review the performance of all candidates at interview and, if appropriate, make an offer of pupillage. Selection processOur selection process aims to identify pupils who have the potential to be members of chambers in due course by reference to the following criteria:
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Financial and Other Support Available
We offer a pupillage award of £25,000 made up of a £12,500 grant for the first six and £12,500 guaranteed earnings for the second six, payable in monthly instalments. Pupils are not expected to pay any chambers contributions on their second six earnings.
Chambers will also pay for all compulsory training courses and all travel expenses during the first six months.
We are delighted to say that the usual experience of pupils has been that they earn in excess of the guaranteed minimum earnings in the practicing period of pupillage.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Walnut House is an equal opportunity organisation. We are committed to ensuring that within the framework of the Equality Act 2010, our chambers is free from discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, citizenship, nationality, sex, marital status or sexual orientation, disability, age or religion. Chambers anti-racism statement can be viewed on our website (walnuthouse.co.uk). This applies not only to our members, staff and trainees but to all our existing and potential clients and any provider of services to chambers. Our chambers has an equality & diversity policy and action plan in place, which are subject to regular internal review and which are overseen by the Bar Standards Board. Any questions or comments about our policy can be sent in the first instance to our Equality & Diversity and Diversity Data Officer, Mary McCarthy (Mary.Mccarthy@walnuthouse.co.uk). We aim to make our premises as accessible as possible for barristers, trainees and visitors with disabilities. We have accessible conferencing facilities and can put in place additional adjustments for anyone with disabilities where reasonable. If you require any adjustments when visiting us, please contact our Practice Manager Bernard Hayward or our EDO Mary McCarthy, who will be able to assist you. |
How to Apply
Aspiring barristers are invited to apply to chambers between 2 January 2025 and 6 February 2025 using the Pupillage Gateway application system to search for the relevant Pupillage Vacancy and selecting ‘Apply for this pupillage’.
Candidates will be asked to respond to the following questions from Chambers:
1. Tell us about a time when you have persuaded someone to your point of view. (Max 250 words)
2. What piece of legislation would you change and why? (Max 250 words)
3. What is the greatest challenge you have faced so far? (Max 250 words)
4. Why would you like to come to Walnut House for your pupillage? (Max 250 words)
5. Who has been the biggest influence on your career choices so far? (Max 250 words)
2. What piece of legislation would you change and why? (Max 250 words)
3. What is the greatest challenge you have faced so far? (Max 250 words)
4. Why would you like to come to Walnut House for your pupillage? (Max 250 words)
5. Who has been the biggest influence on your career choices so far? (Max 250 words)
