The Pupillage Year

William Birch
CALL: 2021
PUPIL: 2021/22

“My supervisors each provided detailed feedback on my work, taking into account how far into the pupillage year I was. I mostly saw ‘live’ work, in other words assisting my supervisors with ongoing cases. That experience was invaluable when I became a tenant. The learning curve was necessarily steep, but I was fully supported throughout.”

Starting your pupillage

At the beginning of the pupillage year, each pupil will be introduced to as many of the members of Chambers, clerks and staff as practicable.  Early on in pupillage, pupils will also be offered training in respect of pleadings by some more junior members of Chambers (but not the pupil supervisors) or by an outside trainer.  During the first three months of pupillage, there will also be an advocacy-training workshop.

Pupillage structure

Pupillage is split into 3 periods with 3 different pupil supervisors. The periods run from October to December, from January to March, and from April to September.

The work pupils do is largely based on our core work (as described in paragraph 1 of the pupillage policy) but as members of Chambers (including pupil supervisors) have their own specialised practices, pupils may also see other areas of Chambers’ work.

The first six months

The work of a pupil is varied and you will be involved in most aspects of your pupil supervisor’s practice.  You will attend court and conferences with your pupil supervisor.  You will assist your pupil supervisor with their work, for instance by carrying out detailed legal research.  You will also draft statements of case and write opinions.

The second six months

In the second six months you will continue to do work for your own supervisor and you also do some assessed written work for a prescribed panel of other members of Chambers.  Chambers places great importance on getting pupils into court in their practising 6 months as appropriate and you can expect to be in court about once a week during your second six so far as possible.

Advocacy

There will also be two moots during pupillage, which are assessed pieces of work.  The pupil supervisors provide feedback to the pupils following the moots, which are normally judged by members of the judiciary.  Prior to the practising period of pupillage, there is also a further training session on the types of applications and hearings which you are likely to undertake during your second six months.

Training

For full details of the training that Chambers provide as part of pupillage, please click here.

Environment

We aim to provide a friendly, supportive and sociable atmosphere.  Pupils are included in Chambers social events throughout the year.

Pupillage policy

Please click here to view or download a copy of our Pupillage Policy:  If you want to know more, contact pupillage@4newsquare.com.