Pupillage

Investing in
your future

We are looking for exceptional and well-rounded individuals with good intellectual ability and a practical approach to problem solving. We are more interested in your potential than your background. In 2020 and 2021 we are recruiting specialist pupils in Crime, Commercial, Employment, Family and Personal Injury.  The Pupillage award for 2020 and 2021 will be £40,000. £20,000 is payable over the course of the first six months. We expect you to earn a similar amount in your second six and we provide a billing guarantee of £20,000 for this second period.

In 2020/21 we are
recruiting specialist pupils in:

  • Business and Property 1
  • Crime 1
  • Employment 1
  • Personal Injury 1
  • Family 2

We will meet the costs of the courses which are compulsory during Pupillage. Upon the satisfactory completion of the first six months, we provide you with your own copy of one substantial practice text for your specialist area such as: Archbold; Civil Procedure Rules (“The White Book”), or the Family Court Practice (“The Red Book”).

What our former
pupils say

“There is an emphasis on finding your own voice and making the most from what you’ve been taught to practical advice and professional and
lay clients.”

“Everyone wants you to do well and you will be given every opportunity to show that you’re up to it.”

“Criticism is constructive and praise is genuine”

What to
expect

Our 12-month pupillage offers a blend of education, encouragement and independence, designed to be both stimulating and enjoyable.  During your first six months, your pupil supervisor will make sure that you experience different areas of law and the contrasting styles of our members.  You will attend court and conferences with members, be involved in legal research, and collaborate on cases in a tailored program designed to build your knowledge and experience.  During your second six you will be able to do your own advisory and advocacy work in order to gain invaluable experience in the courts and learn the skills that will allow you to build a successful practice as one of our tenants.

With all St Philips’ practice groups, we only offer a pupillage if tenancy is available at the end of it, and we will do everything we can to support you to get there. Despite our size, we are a friendly and approachable team, always making time to support more junior barristers, especially pupils and junior tenants. You will find help and advice freely available from members at all levels of seniority, as you find your feet and continuing through tenancy as you develop your own practice.

We take great care in the selection of our pupils and are looking not only for intellectual ability and advocacy potential but also mental stamina and good judgment. If you have these qualities, then we welcome your application whatever your background.

Key dates

7 Jan 2020
The submissions window opens

The application process opens (download form here). Return application form to Juliette Print, Chambers Administrator, St Philips Chambers, 55 Temple Row, Birmingham B2 5LS or by e-mail to: pupillage@st-philips.com

7 Feb 2020
The submissions window closes

No further applications or amendments to applications will be allowed.

16 Mar 2020
Pre selection interview evenings - Week 1

We will be running pre-interview selection evenings in Chambers which will take place on the week commencing 16th March 2020.

23 Mar 2020
Pre selection interview evenings - Week 2

We will be running pre-interview selection evenings in Chambers which will take place on the week commencing 23rd March 2020.

4 Apr 2020
Interviews

Interviews will take place on Saturday 4th April.

25 Apr 2020
Interviews

Further interviews will take place on Saturday 25th April.