The closing date for submitting an application for pupillage commencing in October 2009 has now passed.

We receive around 200 application forms each year from which we select on average between 30 and 40 first round interviewees and between 10 and 20 second round interviewees. From the application forms and interviews we make assessments about candidates' academic ability; their interest in and aptitude for the Bar, advocacy and chancery work; their literacy; clarity of thought and reasoning ability. The first round interview lasts for approximately 20-25 minutes and is held in front of a panel of two members of chambers. It involves general questions, including one designed to test legal reasoning. The second round interview lasts for approximately 30 minutes and involves the more detailed study of a hypothetical case (which makes allowance for the fact that some applicants may not have completed law degrees). This case is then discussed with a panel of five members, including one of our silks. Interviewees are asked to come to chambers in time to allow themselves some 40 minutes of preparation.

All applicants for pupillage (as for tenancy) are selected on merit in keeping with all applicable equal opportunities legislation, regulations and codes of practice. We make every effort to ensure that our vacancies are as widely advertised as possible, we strive to ensure that the application process is user-friendly, diversity-compliant and accessible, and we undertake a detailed review (including a diversity analysis) after each year’s application procedures are complete to consider what, if any, refinements should be made.