12 Month Pupillages

About us

Henderson Chambers is located in the heart of the Temple overlooking the Inner Temple Garden. We pride ourselves on our friendly atmosphere and recognise that pupils and junior barristers have much to learn from more senior members and each other.

Chambers has an established pedigree, with numerous leading cases to our name such as Murphy -v- Brentwood District Council, Cambridge Water Co -v- Eastern Counties Leather Plc and Royal Bank of Scotland -v- Etridge.

About pupillage

Pupils at Henderson Chambers spend three months with four different pupillage supervisors. During the course of your pupillage you will accompany members of Chambers to court and will undertake work for them and for your pupillage supervisor.

We operate a feedback system whereby each completed piece of work is assessed by the recipient, who completes a form. The form goes before the Recruitment Committee during the course of the tenancy decision.

In your second six, you will be expected to undertake court work in your own name, and we encourage pupils to take cases for the Free Representation Unit (FRU).
Pupils are typically instructed in possession actions and in small claims. Assessed advocacy training is provided in Chambers.

Pupils also have the opportunity to spend up to four weeks in Brussels in the offices of McDermott Will and Emery, an American law firm with whom two of our members are associated. Accommodation is provided.

What we offer

We usually offer up to two funded pupillages a year, with minimum remuneration of £50,000.

Funded pupils receive £50,000, of which £42,500 is an award. The remaining £7,500 comprises guaranteed earnings for the second six months. Some of the Pupillage award may be drawn down during the BTPC year, subject to terms being agreed.

Your application

Applications for pupillage should be made at www.pupillages.com. The closing date for applications for pupillages starting in September is usually April in the preceding year.

Applications received by the close of OLPAS will be considered by at least two members of Chambers. If you are OLPAS exempt then please send a covering letter and CV to Chambers (marked Pupillage Application) by the OLPAS closing date. A shortlist of candidates for interview will then be drawn up (from all OLPAS and non-OLPAS applicants) and those selected for interview will be notified as soon as possible.

We operate a two-stage interview process, with the first interviews taking place in June. The first interview will be general, although it will involve discussion of a legal topic, of which you will be notified in advance. The second interview will be conducted by the whole Recruitment Committee, and will require candidates to address a legal question which is also provided in advance.

We usually offer up to two funded Pupillages a year.

We may offer an unfunded Pupillage to any candidate exempt from the funding requirements.

About you

Applicants for pupillage at Henderson Chambers need to show that they have what it takes to succeed at the Bar. Excellent academic credentials are expected, but we are also looking for evidence that you have other interests and experience beyond the academic and legal.

Candidates will be expected to show that they have made a clear and informed choice to come to the Bar and are alive to the challenges that lie ahead. We look for candidates who are aware of the areas in which Chambers specialises and who have an interest in at least one of them.

Both the barristers and the clerks in Chambers are fully committed to upholding the principle of equal opportunity regardless of race, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, religion or political persuasion. It is in accordance with this principle that we assess and select candidates for pupillage and thereafter for tenancy.  Offers are made on the basis of merit. We observe the Bar Standards Board’s Equality and Diversity Code. A request for reasonable adjustments will be considered.