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Pupillage - Commencing Autumn 2009
What do we offer?
We offer 1 to 3, normally 2 Pupillages each year with minimum remuneration of £42,500. This consists of an award of £35,000 and guaranteed minimum earnings of £7,500 during the second six months. Some of the award may be drawn on during the BVC year subject to terms being agreed.
Pupils will be allocated to 2 pupil supervisors for six months each. Pupils will typically undertake a substantial amount of their own court advocacy during the second six months. We also encourage pupils to take cases for the Free Representation Unit. It is our objective to offer pupils as wide an experience of our work as practicable. During the first three to four months of their pupillage, pupils will tend to concentrate on working for their pupil supervisors. Towards the end of their first six months and during their second six months, pupils will work for many other members of Chambers.
Pupils are offered the opportunity to work in Brussels for approximately 4 weeks during the early months of their pupillage in order to experience European practice at first hand with Clive Stanbrook QC OBE and Phillip Bentley QC, the Brussels based members of the US Law Firm McDermott Will & Emery (www.mwe.com). Accommodation is provided.
The pupil supervisors will be responsible for ensuring that the pupil gains experience of as wide a range of the work undertaken by Chambers as possible and covers the full range of work outlined in the Bar Standards Board’s common law checklist. The pupil supervisor will also ensure that the pupil obtains full feedback in respect of all aspects of the Pupillage and in respect of all work undertaken both for the pupil supervisor and also for other members of chambers for whom the pupil has undertaken work. Where possible, this feedback will also be recorded on a form provided for that purpose. Pupils are given advocacy training during their Pupillage.
How do we select our pupils?
Chambers recruits through OLPAS in the Summer Season and candidates should apply online at www.pupillages.com.
There are two interviews. At the first round you will be interviewed by 3 members of Chambers and at the second round you will interviewed by at least 6 members of Chambers. The interviewers will, so far as is possible, be drawn from the members of the Recruitment Committee; who are:
Charles Gibson QC (Head of Chambers)
Prashant Popat QC
Andrew Davies
Malcolm Sheehan
Geraint Webb
Adam Heppinstall
Anna Burne
Natasha Sethi
We will endeavour to contact successful applicants on 1st August 2008. Please ensure that we have your contact details. Offers will remain open for 14 days in accordance with the OLPAS rules. If for any reason our first choice applicant(s) do not accept an offer from us then we may make alternative offers. Unsuccessful candidates will be informed once our offer(s) have been accepted.
Please note that the Bar Standards Board requires
• that applicants should respond as quickly as possible to any offer of Pupillage which is made
• that applicants should not accumulate offers and may not retain more than 2 offer for more than 7 days
• and that an applicant who accepts an offer of Pupillage should withdraw all other application for Pupillage and make no further applications.
In addition to asking our candidates a set question at interview; our criteria of selection are as follows:
Academic Achievement
We expect candidates to demonstrate a strong academic background. We will take into account grades achieved in secondary education; the class achieved in any undergraduate degree and the award of any post-graduate degrees (by examination or dissertation) including CPE/PGDL/BVC. We are looking for individuals who can demonstrate a first class intellect whether via the traditional route of an outstanding higher education record or via proof of success in other professions, in business or in employment.
Non-academic achievement
We are looking for an all round achiever who has achieved success outside of academia whether in the fields of voluntary work, sport, drama, travel or other non-academic activities. We expect our candidates to be able to show how they have both worked hard and played hard.
Commitment to a career at the Bar
We are looking for evidence of a clear and informed career choice to join the Bar. Pupillage involves a 12 month period of hard work and intense scrutiny. We are trying to identify those who appreciate and are ready for that challenge. A career at the Bar is not easy and successful candidates will be able to demonstrate that they realise the difficulties ahead but have the energy and enthusiasm to succeed in a tough environment.
Commitment to types of work undertaken in Chambers
Henderson Chambers has become renowned for its work in the areas of product liability and health and safety. It is also recognised in the fields of employment law, property, IT, consumer credit, public law, professional discipline and public inquiries. We expect candidates to be able to show an interest in any one or more of these areas and to demonstrate how that interest may translate to improving our profile in an ever competitive market.
The tenancy decision
Over the last 5 years 8 of our first year tenants have been selected from our pupils.
The Recruitment Committee will usually meet before the end of July to consider applications from pupils for tenancy. Each member of the Committee is responsible for obtaining feedback about pupils from those members of Chambers for whom he or she acts as a representative. Pupil supervisors will, if possible, speak to a detailed report to the Committee about their pupil(s).
We cannot guarantee that any pupil in any year will be offered a tenancy. Should we not offer a tenancy to a pupil whom we consider to be likely to make a success of the Bar, we have an excellent record in helping such pupils find alternative sets of chambers.
Equal opportunities
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 tenancy. Offers are made on the basis of merit. We comply with the Bar’s Equality Code.
If you want to know more
If you have any further queries in respect of your application, please feel free to contact Adam Heppinstall on 0207 583 9020 or aheppinstall@hendersonchambers.co.ukor by letter.
Third six pupillages
Each June, Chambers considers applications for Third Six Pupillages to commence in the following October. There is no guarantee of any or any particular number of Pupillages being available. For 2008 you should apply by letter, CV and references from Pupil Supervisor(s) to Adam Heppinstall by email (aheppinstall@hendersonchambers.co.uk) or by post/DX. We will be interviewing in June 2008, when Members of the Recruitment Committee will consider applications and will arrange interviews for those selected in due course. Applications for 2007 are now closed.
Mini-pupillage
Mini-pupillage is not a pre-requisite for pupillage. Indeed, the demand for mini-pupillages is so great that we are able to accommodate only a small proportion of applicants. We do, however, encourage applications from those wishing to apply to Henderson Chambers for pupillage. Places are restricted to those who have studied or are already studying for a law degree, or those who have studied or are studying for the CPE/PgDL or who have secured a place to do so.
Each year Chambers offers up to sixteen mini-pupillages. Mini-pupils will usually spend 5 days in Chambers attached to one barrister. They will also have the opportunity to see the work of other barristers. Normally, mini-pupils will be offered the chance to tackle a set of papers. There is no formal assessment procedure.
Applications for mini-pupillage should be made to Ross Fentem, in an envelope marked “mini-pupillage application” and enclosing (1) a letter explaining why you are applying for a mini-pupillage and (2) a full CV.
Work experience
We regret that we are unable to offer work experience to anyone not yet at University.
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