Pupillage

OUR PUPILLAGE APPLICATION PROCESS WILL REOPEN IN JANUARY 2025

Our pupillage application process may currently be closed but we have collated a range of information which we hope brings to life what you can expect if you are successful in gaining pupillage with us and, as a result, encourages you to apply.

For anyone considering applying to us in 2025, this page is packed full of useful information which we hope will convince you that we could be the chambers in which you aspire to build your career. The process is highly competitive, we don’t have to tell you that, and we have very high standards, but if you have a burning desire and ambition to become a top-tier barrister then we will welcome your application when the process reopens in January 2025.

Pupillage Information Evening, 9th January 2025: If you are interested in visiting Chambers for an informal evening chatting with our current and former pupils and hearing from the Chair of our Pupillage Committee you can register to attend here: Pupillage Information Evening

PUPILLAGE APPLICATION QUESTIONS 2025 – now available

This year we are releasing our pupillage application questions early so those planning on submitting an application in the new year can have additional time to consider their answers and source the certificates we require for all applicants.

You can download a copy of the questions we will be asking here: Pupillage Application Questions 2025

Please note, this document is for information and planning purposes only. Our application process, including the actual form via which you will be required to submit your completed application will be live at 11am on January 2nd 2025 as per the timeline below.

2025 Key Dates and Application Process

Thursday 2^nd 2025, 11:00 am

Applications open: the submissions window for applications opens and applicants can submit their applications.

Thursday 6^th February 2025, 11:59 pm

Applications close: the submissions window for applications closes and no further applications or amendments to applications are allowed.

31^st March 2025

First round interview evenings – Week 1

We will be running first round interview evenings; these will take place in the week commencing 31^st March 2025.

7^th April 2025

First round interview evenings – Week 2

We will be running first round interview evenings; these will take place in the week commencing 7^th April 2025.

28^th April 2025

Final round interviews

Interviews will take place, in person, in Chambers week commencing 28^th April 2025.

Friday 09^th May 2025, 09:30 am

Offers made: St Philips Chambers will make their offers of Pupillage on this date.

Pupillage at St Philips, 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 2024 we are recruiting a minimum of 6 pupils across all specialisms to start October 2025.  The Pupillage award for 2024 will be £50,000, with £25,000 payable over the course of the first eight months. We expect you to earn a similar amount in your second six and we provide a billing guarantee of £25,000 for this second six period.

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 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 specialisms within your chosen area 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 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 who always make 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.

What our former pupils say

“There is an emphasis on finding your own voice and making the most from what you’ve been taught.”

“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.”

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Chambers is committed to equal opportunities for its barristers and staff, and its diversity data is available at https://st-philips.com/about/ .

Chambers goes far above and beyond the minimum requirements for equality, diversity and inclusion. It was one of the first sets in the country to obtain a Certificate of Recognition from the Bar Council in recognition of the work of its Wellbeing Committee; it has signed up to the 10,000 Black Interns programme, and has published its own Anti-Racist Statement.

The Equality and Diversity Officers for chambers are Sophie Garner and Colin Baran.