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Twelve Month Pupillage
Introduction
How can I apply?
How are pupils selected?
What would I do as a pupil?
How are tenants selected?
Equal opportunities
Introduction
Pupillage at Francis Taylor Building is a challenging and rewarding process. Its purpose is to provide a period of intensive training to equip pupils for a successful practice at the bar, and to provide Chambers with new tenants of the highest calibre.
Our pupils represent the future of Chambers, and we invest a great deal in time and resources to ensure that the training we provide is of an excellent quality, that pupils are made to feel welcome, and that they are treated fairly and equally throughout their time in Chambers.
We are committed to equality of opportunity, and encourage applications from groups which are currently under-represented in Chambers.
How can I apply?
Chambers is not a member of OLPAS. Applications are made using our standard application form, which is available to download below. Application forms can also be obtained by contacting Saira Kabir Sheikh.
Completed application forms can be posted or e-mailed to clerks@ftb.eu.com, and must be returned by 31st January 2012 for pupillage commencing in October 2013
We look to recruit ambitious and able candidates with a degree of at least upper second class (not necessarily in law).
How are pupils selected?
The selection process has three main stages. At each stage, candidates are assessed by reference to the following criteria:
- Intellect
- Academic achievement
- Advocacy experience and achievement
- Extra curricular activities
- Suitability for and interest in our areas of work
The applications are initially considered on paper, to determine which candidates should be invited for interview. There is then a first round of interviews, following which a shortlist is drawn up of candidates who will be invited to take part in a second round of interviews. Candidates will usually be invited to consider a short written problem at interview.
A decision is then taken as to which candidates should be offered a pupillage in Chambers.
What would I do as a pupil?
Pupils will work alongside their pupil supervisor and experience all aspects of their professional lives. The twelve month period is divided equally between three different pupil supervisors.
Pupils read their pupil supervisor's instructions and papers, research relevant law, attempt their own draft pleadings and opinions for discussion, and accompany their pupil supervisor to hearings and conferences.
Pupils are also expected to undertake written work for, and attend hearings with, other members of Chambers as well as their pupil supervisor.
Members of Chambers provide a series of introductory seminars for our pupils during their first six months to familiarise the new pupils with the main areas of Chambers practice and the issues of law and practice that most commonly arise.
We also organise a number of formal advocacy exercises for our pupils during the course of the year, including training in the cross-examination of expert witnesses (in partnership with expert witnesses from various external consultancies), and in the particular requirements of advocacy in the Administrative Court.
In their second six months, pupils are also able to accept instructions to undertake work of their own. In recent years our second-six pupils have been briefed to appear in a variety of courts and tribunals, including the High Court, County Court, public inquiries and various administrative tribunals.
Pro bono work for FRU, Law for All, the Bar Pro Bono Unit and others is actively encouraged.
How are tenants selected?
Pupils are assessed throughout their time in Chambers, and written reports are provided by each pupil supervisor for consideration by the Pupillage and Tenancy Committee. These reports are discussed with the pupil as they are completed.
Factors relevant to the selection of individual new tenants will include:
- Intellectual ability
- Diligence
- Articulacy and cogency, both oral and in writing
- Skill in personal relations, particularly with future clients
- Overall performance during pupillage
Equal opportunities
Chambers operates an equal opportunities policy. We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, political persuasion, disability, age or religion. We fully endorse the Bar Council's Equality and Diversity Code.
Chambers is prepared to make reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates and encourages applications from groups which are under-represented in Chambers.