Pupillage

2025 PUPILLAGES AT FIELD COURT CHAMBERS

The process for pupillages commencing in September 2025 will commence on Monday, 27 November 2023@1201, when applicants may access the Pupillage Gateway to browse for pupillages:  https://www.pupillagegateway.com/.

We are offering up to 2 twelve-month pupillages starting on Monday 8 September 2025.

On 27 November 2023 our webpage will be upgraded to provide our pupillage application form and further information about the application process.  After completion of your application please email it to pupillage25@fieldcourt.co.uk.  You will receive an automated acknowledgement.

APPLICATION TIMETABLE

Applications for the above pupillages may be made from Wednesday 3 January 2024 at 1200 until Wednesday 7 February 2024 at 2359.

Kindly note the Bar Council has prescribed that no further applications or amendments to applications are allowed after the closure of the window.

Interviews: Invitations to interview will be sent in April 2024, for interviews that month.  These take place on a weekend. The first round will be conducted remotely, and will last 15 minutes. You will be questioned by our panel on a problem you will receive shortly before your interview.  The second round (subject to invitation) will be in person, at chambers. It will comprise an advocacy exercise followed by general questions, lasting 30 minutes.

Offers: offers will be made on Friday 10 May 2024 at 09:30(am).  Candidates are required to respond to the offer of pupillage within 7 days of the offer, although we invite a response as soon as possible as a matter of fairness to other applicants.   If our offer is accepted chambers and our pupils will enter into a pupillage contract.

DETAILS OF PUPILLAGE

Financial support

Our successful 2025 pupils will receive a total of £50,000 comprising a £25,000 grant in the first six and guaranteed earnings (billings) of £25,000 in the second six.  The grant is paid in the non-practising first six so it has the benefit of being tax-free (on HMRC’s current approach).  Our pupils have no difficulty in achieving their guaranteed earnings.

How is our pupillage structured?

Pupillage will be divided into 3 or 4 seats. During pupillage pupils will gain experience in all our main practice areas.  Where possible, we try to accommodate pupils’ requests for a seat in a specific area of work. Second six pupils can expect to be in court regularly on their own cases.   The bulk of our work is in London and the South-East.

Our areas of practice

Our barristers undertake a wide range of work that can be broadly categorised as:

  • Business: litigation in the business and property courts of the Chancery Division, commercial & company including insolvency, intellectual property/media and professional negligence

 

  • Family law: all areas including domestic and international litigation involving financial provision/remedies, child arrangements and section 8 orders, domestic violence, abduction, adoption, surrogacy and care proceedings

 

  • Housing: possession and eviction, homelessness, allocations and Judicial Review, anti-social behaviour, disrepair and service charges and housing policy and regulation

 

  • Property: all areas including commercial and residential landlord and tenant, real property, trusts of land,

 

  • Wills and administration: probate, succession, inheritance and administration matters

 

  • Public law & Court of Protection: Judicial Review, Court of Protection, Election law, Inquests & inquiries, Local government and community care.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR IN A PUPIL?

Academic and intellectual ability: You must be able to demonstrate a high standard of intellectual ability (recent tenants have worked as judicial assistants).  A 2.1 degree as a minimum is expected. But all applications will be considered on their overall merits.

Evidence of oral and written advocacy skills: You must be able to show you can master a brief quickly, think on your feet and argue persuasively.

Motivation and determination: You need to be motivated, resilient and determined to succeed as a self-employed professional.

Interpersonal skills: You must be able to understand and address clients’ and solicitors’ needs and concerns and work effectively in a team.

Initiative:  You need to show initiative to solve problems and to develop your practice.

Evidence of relevant legal work experience: You have to demonstrate you have experience of various legal environments whether through volunteering, work experience or paid employment.

Other skills, employment and achievements: We recognise there is no ‘one template’ for a barrister. We value experience within and outside the legal sector.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

We support and promote equal opportunity and treatment for all, regardless of sex, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, religion, belief, or age.

In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, chambers will fully consider any request for reasonable adjustments.

Please note  expert advice on reasonable adjustments can be obtained from various sources including:

We would appreciate it if each applicant completes the Equal Opportunities Monitoring form included at the end of the pupillage application form. This form is not part of the application and will not be considered by those deciding on your application.