12 Month Pupillage
Our 12 month pupils will undertake a structured pupillage encompassing all of Selborne’s principal practice areas. It is envisaged that pupils will spend time with three or four pupil supervisors, each with varying types of practice. You can find the Selborne Chambers Pupillage Policy here and the Chancery Bar Association Checklist here.
The awards for pupils beginning in October 2025 will be £75,000 with £25,000 able to be drawn down during the BPTC year and £15,000 being by way of guaranteed earnings in the practising period.
What to expect
Accordingly, a pupil will be exposed to a variety of work within the commercial chancery spectrum.
Pupils will be asked to prepare fully for and attend conferences and hearings with their pupil supervisors, produce written pleadings and opinions and undertake legal research, often under considerable time pressure.
In addition to working with and for a pupil supervisor, pupils can expect to spend time with other members of Chambers before all levels of Courts and Tribunals.
the program
Our tenants regularly appear in the County Courts, First-tier tribunal (Property Chamber), the High Court, the Upper Tribunal, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. They commonly appear in or preside over mediations and arbitrations, including international arbitrations, often applying foreign law.
Pupillage at Selborne Chambers equips our pupils with the necessary skills and awareness to face with confidence the various challenges which arise in the second six months of pupillage and the early days of tenancy.
deadlines
31st January for mini-pupillages between 1st April and 31st July
6th February for 12-month pupillages starting October 2025 and October 2026
How to apply
All applications for Pupillage must be submitted through the Pupillage Gateway which opens in January 2025. We will be following the Pupillage Gateway timetable for applications.
The Pupillage Gateway system opens for the submission of applications on Thursday 2 January 2025, and closes on Thursday 6 February 2025.
court appearances
Unlike in many commercial and commercial chancery sets, our pupils can expect regular court appearances and instructions in their own right during the second six months of pupillage.
Typically, these include small claims and fast track trials, possession hearings, winding up petitions, case management conferences and interim applications, as well as advisory and drafting work.
Pupil supervisors will ensure that all pupils are fully supervised and supported whilst undertaking their own work. Chambers also provides its own advocacy training in addition to that provided by the Inns of Court.
fast track your career
It is the intention of Chambers to recruit at least two junior tenants each year, two of whom would ideally be from its own pupils.
In the unlikely event that the conduct of or the standard of work produced by a pupil is unsatisfactory, Chambers may determine the pupillage after 6 months.
Interviews
The interview process for pupillage will consist of two rounds. Each round will include questions on a legal problem in addition to general questions about the applicant.
Applicants who are invited to the second round of interviews will be invited to meet current pupils and recent junior tenants for a chance to discuss life at Selborne and the type of work that they may expect as a pupil.
Equal opportunity:
We are committed to the promotion of equality and diversity across all aspects of our practice.
Equality of opportunity is essential for the maintenance of high standards and the provision of a quality service to clients. It also ensures a harmonious working environment for members of Chambers, pupils and staff.
We adopt best practice equality and diversity procedures in our recruitment which involves the use of objective selection criteria in accordance with the recommendations of the Equality and Diversity Rules of the Code of Conduct and legislative requirements.
Applicants with a disability are encouraged to contact Chambers in confidence if there are any reasonable adjustments that may be made in relation to their applications.
