Recruitment

We look for applicants with proven academic ability and who have demonstrated an interest and a commitment to criminal defence work. Selection will be made from Pupillage Gateway applications as follows:

The Selection Process

The HoP oversees the selection process. All members of Chambers are involved in the initial consideration of the written applications and consider each applicant in teams of two, and provide a score by reference to set criteria. If there is disagreement between the two members then the HoP will assess the applicant and decide if the applicant proceeds to the next round.

A random selection of application forms, together with the scores awarded by the allocated two members, will be further reviewed by the HoP to ensure consistency of approach to candidates in the selection process.

First Interview

We aim to interview between 60 and 70 candidates, depending on the results of the initial selection process.

Where invited for an interview the candidate is asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to the allotted interview time and is given a short piece of advocacy to prepare, which will be a plea in mitigation or a bail application. The candidate will also be given three law related topics/questions and asked to prepare a short discussion on the question of their choice.

In the interview, the candidate will undertake the advocacy exercise. The candidate will then be asked to address the panel the topic they have chosen.

Each interview lasts a maximum of 15 minutes and requires no specific preparation on the part of the candidate in advance. Interviewers will be drawn from the whole of Chambers with two or three members per panel.

The interview panel will take into account the stage in legal training that the candidate has reached in assessing both aspects of the interview. Each member of the panel will give the candidate an overall score by reference to set criteria.

The Second Interview

Approximately 20-25 candidates will be selected for a second interview by reference to the scores achieved in the first round. Again, the candidate is asked to arrive 30 minutes beforehand, when they will be given the papers for a further advocacy exercise, similar to that for the first interview. In addition there will be a list of three non-legal topics/questions and the candidate should select one on which they will be expected to address the panel.

The interview will last no more than 15 minutes in which the candidate will perform the advocacy exercise and then give a short talk on the topic they have chosen, and will be asked questions to explore matters raised.

The interview panel will again consist of two or three members of chambers. It will take into account the stage in legal training that the candidate has reached in assessing the first part of the interview. Each member of the interview panel will give the candidate an overall score by reference to set criteria.

The Final Interview

The highest scoring 10-12 candidates will then be invited for a final interview, which will take place on a Saturday. The interview is made up of three parts and the candidate will again be expected to arrive 30 minutes early.

The first part is a series of questions that will explore the information contained in the candidates’ initial written application to Chambers.

The second part will be to provide answers to one or two of six law-related questions that the candidate will have been provided with 30 minutes before the interview begins.

The final part will be to discuss a (non-legal related) subject that will be given to the candidate during the interview and given one minute to prepare.

The interview panel will consist of the HoP, and two or three other members of chambers.

The final interview will give the panel an opportunity to assess the candidate in more depth and to discuss a range of matters with them. The panel will be looking for candidates who are considered to have the ability and intellect and aptitude to succeed as a criminal defence barrister at 25 Bedford Row.

Marks will be given to each candidate by reference to set criteria.

The panel will then select up to three candidates to offer a 12-month pupillage. A reserve list will be drawn up in the event that any of the first three chosen candidates decline the offer of pupillage. Offers will be made through the Pupillage Gateway. Candidates must accept or decline any offer in line with the Pupillage Gateway timetable.