Introduction

Six Pump Court is committed to providing our pupils with professional training of the highest quality over a wide range of our key practice areas.  We aim to provide an interesting and challenging experience in a friendly and supportive environment.  The object of pupillage at Six Pump Court is to encourage pupils to develop their individual abilities and talents, whilst equipping them with the skills needed to ensure a successful career at the Bar.  We expect our pupils to be genuinely interested in a number of our key practice areas and committed to developing a broad practice at the Bar.

Our twelve-months pupils spend around four months with each of three different pupil supervisors.  We encourage our pupils to undertake for all members of Chambers and we provide the opportunity for pupils to experience advocacy work undertaken by members over range of seniority.  Wherever possible, we will attempt to accommodate the interests of our pupils without compromising the aim of providing a broad and varied professional training

Six Pump Court recognises the importance of periodic appraisal and regular feedback.  Pupil supervisors provide ongoing informal appraisals of the progress of those pupils they supervise and undertake formal appraisals at the end of each four-month period of supervision. Opportunities will be given for pupils to participate in the appraisal process by way of self-assessment, identifying priorities and setting goals.

In addition to this, we conduct advocacy training sessions during which pupils can practice their advocacy in front of other members of chambers who will provide feedback.

During the first six months our pupils work closely with their pupil supervisor, observing their supervisor undertaking advocacy work and advising clients in conference. Non-practising pupils can also expect to undertake regular legal research and written work, providing ample opportunity to develop practical, analytical, advisory and written communication skills. The type of paperwork will vary depending upon the area of practice and will include writing opinions and drafting pleadings.

In the second six months our pupils should expect to be in court very regularly. The criminal work will involve all types of magistrates’ courts hearings, from first appearances to trials, and mentions and sentences in the Crown Court. The civil work will involve small claims hearings, interim applications and possession actions.

Chambers policy for tenancy recruitment is based on merit alone. Chambers do not operate a quota system for the recruitment of tenants from pupillage.  We recognise that meritorious candidates are likely to generate work for themselves and, in due course, for Chambers as a whole. The required legal skills together with demonstrated advocacy skills are the most important criteria but the ability to form and maintain professional relationships is also a crucial factor in any tenancy decision.

Selection Criteria

We apply the following selection criteria when selecting candidates for pupillage:

• Proven intellectual ability (we will normally expect at least an upper second class honours law degree or eqivalent);
• Interests and achievements going beyond the academic subjects studied;
• An ability to express ideas clearly and persuasively, both in writing and orally;
• A commitment to becoming a barrister and ability to pursue a career at the Bar;
• An interest in more than one of the areas of law within our key practice areas;
• A capacity to understand and to show understanding of the needs and problems of those for whom and with whom they work;
• Good interpersonal skills, including an ability to form and maintain professional relationships with colleagues within chambers and others over time; this will also include a consideration of an applicant's temperament.

Chambers selects pupils and tenants solely on merit; the race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, political persuasion, marital status, disability, age or religion of any applicant is disregarded.

Pupillage Applications

Chambers is a member of the Pupillage Portal and currently is offering up to two funded 12-month pupillages to commence in October 2012.  Each pupil will received an award of £30,000, comprising a grant of £15,000 for the first six months and guaranteed earnings of £15,000 for the second six months.

Third Six Pupillages

We are always interested in quality candidates who have already completed a 12-month pupillage, however, our recruitment policy for third six pupils is on an ‘as needed’ basis.  Vacancies for third six pupillages are advertised on the Bar Council website.

Mini Pupillage

Chambers' mini-pupillage policy is currently under review and no places are currently available.  

Contacts

Twelve month pupillages are administered by Mark Beard who is Head of Pupillage and chairs Chambers' Pupillage Committee.

Third six pupillages are administered by Noemi Byrd.