FAQ

FAQ

What does the Pupillage Induction Course entail?

The Induction Course provides an introduction in seminar form to the basic elements of landlord and tenant law, and is held in chambers over five days, immediately prior to you starting pupillage. There is a certain amount of pre-reading required for the course, but you will be given full details in good time prior to its commencement.

What technology will I require? 

Pupils require some sort of computer on which they can work, ideally a laptop. We provide a monitor, and ergonomic chair, to ensure comfort whilst working. We will connect your hardware to the chambers network, wifi and email systems and provide you with the access to all the standard legal databases.

What books will I require in pupillage? 

Chambers has an extensive library, and so you will not be expected to provide any books of your own during pupillage. A copy of the White Book (Civil Procedure) is available for the exclusive use of pupils.

What holidays are I am entitled to and when can I take them? 

As a pupil you will be entitled to 4 weeks paid holiday leave. Normally pupils will take some time off over the vacation periods of Christmas and Easter. The actual timings of holidays should be discussed with your pupil supervisor and, during your second six months, the clerks.

What hours will I be expected to work?

These will depend to some extent on your pupil supervisor’s workload and working practices, and in your second six months your own workload. Generally, pupils arrive in chambers at 9am and leave at 6pm. Working outside of these hours is not routine, and we are very much alive to the importance of wellbeing and maintaining a healthy work-live balance. We do, however, ask for flexibility and, when circumstances dictate, for pupils to be prepared to work outside these core hours.

Will I be paid expenses in addition to my pupillage award?

If pupils accompany their pupil supervisor to court or conferences out of London, then the expenses will be reimbursed. In addition to this, the cost of all compulsory external courses undertaken during pupillage will be paid by chambers.

Where will I be sitting in chambers?

Pupils sit in their pupil supervisor's room.

How is the pupillage award paid?

The award will be paid monthly by direct debit into your bank account.

How is the pupillage structured?

Pupillage is divided into four periods of three months. You will move to a different pupil supervisor at the end of each period.

How should I dress in chambers? 

As a pupil you should always dress in a suitable way for court or meeting clients. This is normal business attire, unless you are robed in court (on which see below). Dark colours are usually appropriate. 

Will I require robes? 

You will not be expected to robe when accompanying your pupil supervisor to court, although you may do if you wish. During the second 6 months of your pupillage, you will go to court on your own account on occasion. The large majority of those appearances will be unrobed, but you may sometimes need to be robed. To cover that possibility, you should make your own arrangements to acquire, or have access to, a wig and gown, collar and bands.

Is it necessary to have any prior knowledge of landlord and tenant law before pupillage?

Whilst this would be an advantage, the induction course and your first six months of pupillage will give you the grounding that you will require in landlord and tenant and property law in general.

What pupillage checklist do you use?

We have our own approved Bar Council pupillage checklist, which you will ask to complete during your time as a pupil.

What kind of advocacy training can I expect to receive?

Apart from the compulsory advocacy courses that pupils are required to undertake with their Inns, chambers also provides structured advocacy training. There will normally be three advocacy training sessions during pupillage. The first takes the form of a seminar discussing the law, procedure and practicalities of residential possession hearings. The second and third take the form of a mock application to a master or district judge and are assessed. Pupils will be given constructive feedback to assist them in fully developing their advocacy skills, so that they are fully ready to attend court on their own account during their second six. A further advocacy exercise may sometimes be held towards the end of pupillage.

What kind of work can I expect in my second 6 months?

Normally pupils will be involved in small County Court claims, such as possession hearings, case management conferences, directions hearings, small claims trials and taking judgments. These hearings will normally be fairly short, lasting not more than half a day. Pupils will be given ample opportunity to accompany junior members of chambers to court to observe these types of hearing before undertaking their own work. There will also normally be paperwork in form of opinions or pleadings. Additionally pupils may be asked to assist members of chambers on a devilling basis, with the prior authorisation of their supervisor.