We take recruitment of pupils extremely seriously. We recognise that attracting talented individuals with the ability to become top-class advocates and training them carefully is a key part of retaining Chambers’ position as a leading set in the areas of law in which we practise.

4 Pump Court enjoys a market-leading position across an unparalleled range of commercial work. Our pupillage is designed so that you can experience the challenge and variety of our practice areas.

You’ll have four pupil supervisors, each for three months. Together, they aim to give you a rounded experience of Chambers’ key practice areas. The first six months will involve training from your pupil supervisors in the work of a commercial barrister. You will accompany them to Court and conferences with clients and produce written work. They’ll review your work and provide constructive feedback. It is a steep learning curve – your supervisors will help you master skills required by successful barristers.

We know that oral advocacy experience is essential to your training, so Chambers ensures that all pupils are in Court frequently in their second six. You will quickly gain valuable experience of arguing cases in front of District Judges and Circuit Judges in a variety of matters, such as sale of goods and insurance disputes. You will continue to work with your pupil supervisors in the second six months, but at the same time you will develop your own varied advocacy and advisory practice.

We want to give you space to grow as advocates. Chambers prides itself on its reputation as an approachable and friendly place to work. Whilst our pupils can expect to work hard and be challenged intellectually during their time with us, we offer a supportive environment where constant feedback and early courtroom experience combine to offer pupils the best possible start to a career practising at the Bar.

4 Pump Court offers a generous pupillage award. In our current recruitment round, we are offering two pupillage awards of £80,000, of which up to £25,000 may be advanced during the Bar Professional Training Course, plus second six gross billing guaranteed to be at least £10,000, for pupillages commencing in September 2025. In addition, our pupils receive substantial second six earnings from carrying out their own court work. We believe that these second six earnings typically exceed those at other top commercial sets. A further pupillage is being offered, commencing in September 2024 with the same financial package.

During pupillage there are four formal assessments- two pieces of written work and two advocacy exercises, each assessed by members of Chambers other than the pupil supervisors. You will receive detailed feedback at each stage to ensure that you are able to develop your talents and gain a real-life understanding of the skills required of a commercial barrister.

4 Pump Court has a strong record of recruitment from its pupils. There is no quota of any sort and we look to take on all pupils who meet the required standard. We have offered tenancy to all of our pupils for the last 5 years. Where pupils are not offered tenancy they have an excellent record of finding third six pupillages elsewhere.

There’s a smooth transition from pupillage to tenancy. As with pupillage, our aim is to give you all the support you need to flourish in this exciting and rewarding profession.

Pupillage applications have now closed.

We currently have no places for mini-pupillage available before the 2024 pupillage application deadline. However, all applicants who reach the final round of pupillage interviews will be invited to spend some time in chambers should they wish to do so.

We welcome applications for mini-pupillage for those intending to apply for pupillage at the start of 2025 and subsequently. Please see our “Mini-pupillage” page for details on how to apply.

More Information

Who is Suitable

We only offer pupillages to those candidates who we think have the potential to become tenants and outstanding advocates, and intend to practise at the Bar of England and Wales.

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Work in Pupillage

One of the key attractions for our pupils is the range of work which we can offer, as well as the fact that Chambers ensures that all pupils get a lot of real advocacy experience in their second six.

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Life After Pupillage

We want our pupils to succeed in pupillage and beyond. The early years of practice as a tenant at 4 Pump Court are exciting and rewarding.

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How to Apply

Applications for pupillage commencing in September 2024 and September 2025 are now closed.

For more information about the application process contact us on [email protected].

Mini-Pupillage

We know that a mini-pupillage can help you decide whether you wish to apply for pupillage at 4 Pump Court and that a mini-pupillage can also enable us to meet promising candidates for pupillage.

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Would you like to
 know more?

For help and advice talk to a member of our clerking team. They can advise on the best options for your matter.

Call: +44 (0) 20 7842 5555

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