XXIV Old Buildings welcomes applications for a third six pupillage with a view to tenancy (such that an application may be made for full tenancy during or at the conclusion of the pupillage) to begin no later (and ideally sooner) than October 2023.

How to apply

Applications – which will be treated as confidential – should be made by way of email to [email protected] and by no later than the deadline of 10:30am on Wednesday 12 July 2023.

Each application should include:

  • A short covering letter
  • A curriculum vitae
  • A list of pupil supervisors to date, together with a reference from each supervisor
  • A schedule of work undertaken and observed during pupillage
  • At least four – suitably anonymised – pieces of work completed during pupillage (comprising at least one particulars of claim, one skeleton argument, and one note of advice)

How your application will be assessed

Applications will be treated in strict confidence and will be assessed by reference to the following objective criteria:

 Academic achievement

  • Ability to absorb, assimilate and analyse information skilfully
  • Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively (both orally and in writing)
  • Strength of commitment to the law and to practice as a barrister generally and in the areas in which Chambers specialises
  • Experience and skill in public speaking and advocacy
  • Inter-personal skills, and particularly skill in dealing with a range of people tactfully, proportionately, flexibly and appropriately under pressure
  • Strength of character, self-motivation and drive as required for a career in self-employed practice at the Bar

As part of the assessment of applications we may wish to set a written exercise and/or advocacy exercise and conduct an interview.  It is likely that any such advocacy exercise and interview will take place on Monday 17 July or Tuesday 18 July.  Applicants are therefore invited to try to ensure that they can be available to attend chambers on one of those days.

We anticipate completing the process before Thursday 20 July 2023.

We take particular pride in our transparent, fair, rigorous and friendly pupillage application process, which we believe our applicants deserve and appreciate.

We operate an equal opportunities policy and recruit without regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, citizenship, sex, gender identity, gender re-assignment, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, religion or belief or pregnancy and maternity.

The third six pupillage

As part of our commitment to a transparent and fair process, we think it important to make clear the nature of the third six pupillage.  We envisage that it will comprise a further period of training, preparation for a career at the Bar, and evaluation – of the kind offered to our 12-month pupils during their second six – such that opportunities for any successful applicant to undertake their own work are likely to be limited.  We are concerned to make all our pupils’ experiences in chambers interesting and enjoyable, however, and would hope that the third six would provide a suitable foundation for a thriving future career at XXIV OId Buildings.

Further information

In the event of queries relating to the process or the pupillage itself, please contact Edward Cumming KC, Pupillage Co-ordinator, by email to [email protected] or by telephone on 020 7691 2424.