Pupillage
What you need to know about us
- We are a friendly and forward-thinking multidisciplinary set that is committed to investing in and nurturing the next generation of talent at the Bar.
- We aim to provide our pupils with an outstanding opportunity to develop the practical skills they need to thrive in practice.
- We may offer common law (mix of civil, crime, and family) or specialist pupillages.
- Successful applicants can look forward to having a dedicated pupil supervisor and support from the whole Chambers team. Each group has its own team of experienced clerks who service a well-established network of professional clients.
- Pupils may work from our premises in Newcastle, Middlesbrough and York.
- We want you to succeed!
For a more detailed account of what pupillage entails, please see our Pupillage Policy.
Katherine Walton who secured a tenancy in Chambers after a successful pupillage in 2024 has this to say:
“I feel deeply fortunate to have had the opportunity to undertake pupillage with Dere Street. I have received an abundance of support, guidance and mentorship throughout my pupillage and into tenancy from my supervisor, Dere Street staff, clerks and barristers who have all so generously devoted their time to me. Dere Street creates an experience and culture for its pupils which is focused on continuous learning and development, and one which drives me to deliver a highly professional and quality service which I can be proud of. The breadth and quality of instruction Chambers receives speaks to the talent it fosters.”
If you want to learn more you can listen here to Katherine and Jordan taking us through their pupillage experience at Dere Street.
How do we help support you financially
Chambers recognises the forever increasing cost of living and, as such, offers an award far in excess of the Bar Standards Board minimum recommendation and also higher than many of our competitors.
For the first six months of pupillage, the award is £12,500 per Pupil and for the second six months, we will guarantee receipts of £25,000, therefore totalling a minimum of £37,500 for your full pupillage year.
Chambers will also pay the costs of attending compulsory courses as required by the BSB and any other courses that Chambers wishes our pupils to attend. Off-circuit expenses are reimbursed by Chambers upon production of the relevant receipt.
Our tenants pay contributions towards our expenses on a purely commission basis. There is no monthly or annual membership fee.
What are we looking for?
Successful candidates will have:
Intellectual ability;
An analytical mind;
The ability to express ideas clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing;
The ability to think under pressure;
An absolute commitment to hard work;
An organised approach to work;
Good interpersonal skills.
Chambers is committed to equal opportunities for all and to promoting and improving diversity at the Bar. We particularly encourage applications from those in underrepresented groups.
How to apply for pupillage
Chambers uses the Pupillage Gateway system for recruitment. You can use this system to search for pupillage vacancies and to apply for the relevant pupillage(s).
Chambers invites candidates to apply between 2 January 2025 and 6 February 2025, using the Pupillage Gateway.
Successful candidates will receive an invitation to attend a first round interview by Friday 7 March 2025. Chambers intends to hold first round interviews on Saturday 15 March 2025 and second round interviews on Saturday 22 March 2025 or Saturday 29 March 2025. Offers for pupillage following the 2025 competition will be made on Friday 9 May 2025.
Looking to the future
We take recruitment seriously to ensure that we recruit the best candidates. As a result of the investment that we make in our recruitment process, as well as in pupillage itself; Chambers prides itself that in the last 13 years, all pupils recruited have secured tenancy with us!
Our talented young practitioners are thriving across the North Eastern Circuit. We are a set with a difference!
