Pupillage

When we opened in January 1990 our aim was to be different. That remains the same, we seek “to have our feet on the ground and our heads in the stars.”

3rd January 2024

Opening date for applications. On Chambers' application form and submitted by email or by post or by hand.

7th February 2024

Closing date for applications, which must be received by 23:59.

15th March 2024

Candidates notified if they have progressed the advocacy stage.

18th March 2024 – 12th April 2024

Advocacy exercises to be conducted. These will usually be between 5.30-7.30pm on weekday evenings via Zoom. By 12th April candidates will be notified if they have progressed to the interview stage.

20th April 2024

Panel interviews in Chambers.

10th May 2024

Notification of pupillage offer and unsuccessful candidates notified.

17th May 2024

Final date by which candidates must either accept or decline an offer.

This timetable is in accordance with the requirements of the Pupillage Gateway.

How we select our pupils and what you need to consider. There are 4 stages:

Drafting

Advocacy

Interview

Offer

This is via Chamber's own Pupillage Form and has two parts. Part One: records all your personal details and will be separated from the application upon receipt to ensure that all applications are anonymised in line with Fair Recruitment Practice. Part Two: The main body of the application, which is assessed inline with our Selection Criteria.

Downloads

Pupillage Application Form:

Part 1

Part 2

Equality and Diversity Form

Our pupillage vacancies advertisement is live on the pupillage gateway.

Submission

Applications are by email at pupillage@1highpavement.co.uk

or by post or hand delivery to:

Pupillage Application, 1 High Pavement Chambers, High Pavement, Nottingham, NG1 1HF

NB: We only require one application for both pupillages.

All applications must have been received by 10am on the closing date for applications. Please ensure that you supply an email address and a telephone contact number. We will contact you via email throughout the process and only in exceptional circumstances via telephone. You may complete the form by hand if you wish.

All applicants should also complete an anonymous Equality and Diversity form for monitoring purposes.

Before you apply please bear in mind that we are a purely criminal set and we are not seeking applications for first, second or third sixes. We only offer twelve month pupillages and we do not accept advance applications for the following year, nor are we willing to defer pupillage.

We are currently applying to transition to AETO status from our pupillage provider status and any final offers can only be made once that has been completed. We are confident this will be completed in the new year. Updates will be provided on the website.

We expect our pupil's income to be about £40k over the course of the pupillage, comprising the Pupillage Award and fee income.

1st Six

Chambers has set the minimum Pupilage Award at £22,000 p.a. This is above the amount set by the Bar Standards Board for Pupillage outside London.

During your 1st Six you will receive an Award, paid on the 1st of each month in arrears, of 1/12 of Chambers' minimum pupillage award.

2nd Six

During your 2nd Six we anticipate that you will earn around £30k in fee income.

Nevertheless, we still guarantee a minimum income to the value of the Pupillage Award. We expect the fees you receive as a barrister will far exceed that amount. If not then Chambers will top-up the difference, based on your fee income during the preceding month.

You will pay not Chambers' rent, Clerks' Fees or other Chambers' expenses whilst a pupil.

The practical reality of a pupillage at 1 High Pavement Chambers

We operate the Bar Council’s Equality and Diversity Code in relation to members, staff and pupils.

The members of the pupillage committee have received training from the Bar Council in fair recruitment practices.

We welcome applicants regardless of age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, gender reassignment, race, religion, marital status or disability.

Please let us know if you have a disability that may require us to make reasonable adjustment for the application or interview process.

No. 1 High Pavement is proud of our record in equality and diversity we nevertheless welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and encourage those who are traditionally unrepresented at the Bar.

All applicants should also download and complete an anonymous Equality and Diversity form for monitoring purposes.

It is not a mandatory requirement that this is completed, but it is helpful for chambers to collect such information to ensure that our recruitment procedures are fair. This should be submitted with the application form but note it will be separated off upon receipt and kept entirely separate from the application throughout the process.

If you have any queries, please email the clerks: clerks@1highpavement.co.uk with the subject: ”Pupillage Enquiry”