The selection and training of pupils is vital to the continued success of Oriel Chambers. Chambers only offers pupillages with a view to offering tenancy to successful pupils at the conclusion of their training. Every effort is made to support our pupils throughout pupillage. Pupils are encouraged to obtain broad-based practical experience during their pupillage and will have the opportunity to experience work in all areas in which Members of Chambers practice. Chambers believes this approach provides the best practical education possible and establishes a firm foundation from which our pupil barristers can expect to build a successful practice/career at the Bar.
We are looking for outstanding candidates who can demonstrate that they have the academic ability, confidence, enthusiasm and motivation to develop a successful practice. We welcome applications from candidates who are genuinely interested in a general common law pupillage.
• Ability
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Motivation
Within those criteria, Chambers are looking for:
Evidence of strong academic ability and a minimum 2:1 initial degree (save in exceptional circumstances). A successful candidate will have achieved good A’ Level results (or equivalent).
Evidence of excellent advocacy skills, for example from mooting, debating or other public speaking, including evidence of sound judgment. Candidates will be required to undertake practical advocacy exercises at the various stages of the interview process.
Evidence of good interpersonal skills and the personality to make a positive contribution to both the profession and to Chambers, being evidenced, for example, by previous employment and/or life experiences both within and beyond the sphere of “The Law”.
Highly motivated applicants committed to pursuing a career at the Bar and to practising in Liverpool, being evidenced, for example, by the undertaking of mini-pupillages and/or other similar work experience and by the reasoning behind the decision to apply to Oriel Chambers.
Equality and Diversity within our recruitment process
Oriel Chambers recognises that improving diversity and accessibility to careers at the Bar is essential to serve our society as a whole. We are committed to the fair recruitment of the best candidates from the widest possible pool of talent.
The promotion of equality and diversity is a central consideration in our policies and our recruitment process. All members of our selection panels are trained in a fair recruitment and selection processes. We assess candidates solely on merit, irrespective of race (including colour, nationality, citizenship and ethnic or national origin), sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy/maternity, marital status or civil partnership, age, religion, belief (including political persuasion) or disability. We understand that women, members of ethnic minorities, LGBT+ and those with disabilities are under-represented at the Bar generally. We welcome applications from candidates within such groups.
Oriel Chambers is committed to making reasonable adjustments to the application process for disabled applicants.
Pupils are allocated to one or more pupil supervisor(s) for a 12-month period of pupillage, although they will attend court with other members of Chambers during the course of their first six months. Pupils will also attend conferences and deal with paperwork, including pleadings and advices and will be expected to undertake paperwork for any member of Chambers in addition to their pupil supervisor. This will ensure that each pupil experiences a wide variety of work, whilst enabling Chambers to conduct a broad assessment of their progress and capability. Our pupils are required to undertake regular advocacy exercises during their first six. From the commencement of their second six, pupils can expect to be in court, conducting their own work. For each pupil, practice area preferences will be taken into account when allocating pupil supervisors.
Funding for pupillage will be £32,000. The pupillage award will take the form of a grant for the first six months of pupillage, which meets the minimum award as specified annually by the Bar Council. The 2nd six will be funded by guaranteed earnings.
Take a look at an article from one of our former pupils and now a tenant, Amy.
Here’s an article from another of our former pupils, Jack, who is also a tenant in Chambers.
India is one of our current pupils and you can read her article here
Christine is also a current pupil who has provided her insight here
You can download the application forms below. Both completed Applications and Personal Data Forms must be emailed to: pupillage@orielchambers.co.uk
Your application forms must be received by email between 3rd January and 7th February 2024. Applications received outside of this period will not be considered.
In line with the Pupillage Gateway timetable, Oriel Chambers will make any offer(s) of pupillage on the 10th May 2024
In line with the Bar Council’s Pupillage Gateway timetable, you will be able to download our application forms from 10am on the 27th November 2023
You must complete both forms and they must be received in Chambers between 10:00 a.m. on 3rd January 2024 and 11:59 p.m. on 7th February 2024. Applications received outside of this period will not be considered. Applications will be acknowledged by email and we will endeavour to do this within two weeks. In line with the Pupillage Gateway timetable, Chambers will make any offer(s) of pupillage on or after 10th May 2024.
Within those criteria, Oriel Chambers are looking for the following:
Evidence of strong academic ability and a minimum 2:1 initial Degree, save in exceptional circumstances. A successful candidate will have achieved good A’Level results (or equivalent).
Evidence of excellent advocacy skills, for example from mooting, debating or other public speaking, and including evidence of sound judgment. In addition, candidates will be required to undertake practical advocacy exercises at the various stages of the interview process.
Evidence of good interpersonal skills and the personality to make a positive contribution to both the profession and to Chambers, for example evidenced by previous employment and/or life experiences both within and beyond the sphere of . “The Law”;
Highly motivated applicants committed to pursuing a career at the Bar and to practising in Liverpool and Preston, for example evidenced by the undertaking of mini-pupillages and/or other similar work experience and by the reasoning behind the decision to apply to Oriel Chambers.
Chambers encourages prospective Pupils to undertake a mini-pupillage in Chambers. This will give candidates an opportunity to experience the work and atmosphere of Chambers. Information on mini-pupillages can be found here.
Chambers complies with the requirements of the Equality and Diversity Code for the Bar which can be found on the website of the Bar Standards Board at www.barstandardsboard.org.uk
