Pupillage at Central Chambers
We are rightly proud of our pupillage programme. We were chosen as the only Manchester Chambers to pilot the new BSB pupillage competencies format – so we’ve been doing it that bit longer than anyone else!
UPDATE for 2021/2022
Central Chambers intends to offer three pupillages over the course of 2021 and 2022.
Those pupillages will start in October/November 2021, April/May 2022 and October/November 2022.
These pupillages will be of a common-law nature and may have an emphasis in either Criminal or Family law.
We intend to interview for all three pupillages in the summer of 2021.
It is likely that our application process will open in June 2021 and the interviews will take place during July and August.
We offer pupillage with a view to tenancy; we expect you to want to stay with us. It is our investment in Chambers so it makes sense for us to be invested in you succeeding. If you secure pupillage with us then there is no requirement for you to apply for tenancy at the conclusion. We will let you know prior to completion whether we are offering tenancy.
The successful applicant may expect to enjoy a common law pupillage with an emphasis on the area in which their supervisor practices. We’ll also help you to find which area of law within chambers is right for you by giving you the opportunity to gain experience in other areas of chambers’ work. All pupillages are likely to include experience of Family, Crime and Immigration and you’ll be expected to represent clients in any or all of those areas in your second six.
Advertising/Applications
Chambers pupillages will be advertised on the Pupillage Portal in line with the BSB requirements. We do not use the Pupillage Portal system for applications. Instead, we ask that candidates to send us a CV and cover letter (in a single PDF) via email. We do not accept paper-based applications or Pages documents.
All applicants are required to complete this E&D Monitoring Form and to submit it at the same time as their application.
The initial applications are subjected to our sift stage that scores using our pupillage criteria but allows for inclusion of any candidate in the first round of interviews whose application stands-out for some reason outside the raw scoring.
Applicants selected from the sift will be invited for interview.
The interview process will consist of two rounds: an initial short interview and for those successful, and a second longer interview which will include an oral advocacy exercise and a written exercise to assess potential.
Pupillage interviews are life defining moments. At Central Chambers we’re aware of that. Interviews are not a sport for us. We are willing to give feedback at all stages for those unsuccessful and will automatically give it at the last stage.
Our criteria for evaluation include: Analytical thinking, Effective communication, Accuracy of drafting, Advocacy Skills, Ability to influence, Intellectual achievement, Resilience, Interpersonal skills, Drive and determination.
These criteria are not absolutes. Not all criteria will be assessed at all stages of the process. Different stages of the process are designed to assess different criteria.
Pupillage
Prior to starting pupillage, the successful candidate will be provided with a written agreement outlining the expectations placed on the pupil and on chambers. A welcome pack, a copy of chambers E&D policy, Wellbeing policy, and other relevant documentation.
They will also receive:
• The BSB Handbook, (Most recent edition);
• The Authorisation Framework (7 December 2018, 26 pages);
• The Bar Qualification Manual:
https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/training-qualification/bar-qualification-manual.html
• The Professional Statement for Barristers (September 2016, 36 pages);
https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/training-qualification/the-professional-statement.html
• The Pupillage Funding Rules (BSB Handbook Rules C113- C118).
Each pupillage will be assessed in line with and against the Professional Statement and the competencies provided for in that document.
Funding
The guaranteed payments which will be made during the course of the funded pupillage will match the living wage. This will include any increase in the living wage during the course of the pupillage.
Following successful completion of the first six months of pupillage, during the remaining months of the pupillage, the guaranteed amount is a minimum and any additional payments received will be passed onto the pupil.
At no point during the course of the pupillage will the pupil be liable for any payments to chambers. Upon completion of pupillage and the start of tenancy, those fees will remain free from any chambers expenses.
In our experience, the actual award achieved has significantly exceeded the guaranteed amount.
Mini Pupillage
At this moment we are not accepting applications for in-person mini pupillages, due to the pandemic. We are in the process of agreeing an alternative method of mini pupillage that we can provide as a chambers, in the interim. Once that has been agreed, we will share that information and invite applications for attendance via our website and other social media outlets.
