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The competition for pupillage is fierce, and it takes a lot to stand out. Most of the applications received by pupillage committees across the Bar are from those who have achieved high academic grades; who have undertaken a variety of relevant work experience; and who are passionate about pursuing a career at the Bar. So, what else is a multidisciplinary set looking for, and how can you make sure that your application grabs the attention of the pupillage committee? Here are three of the top qualities that our set looks for in pupillage applications:
One of the best things about being in a multi-disciplinary chambers is that you get the chance to try everything. Pupils can go from a plea and trial preparations hearing to a contested child arrangements hearing to a personal injury claim all in the course of a week. It’s a fantastic grounding for the future because you learn about a wide range of areas of law and how they interact with each other as well as getting to experience different procedures and approaches to the law. Whether you later choose to specialise in one area, or continue with a mixed practice in the long term, you will always benefit from having had a broad training.
We expect pupils to be open-minded and to embrace the different opportunities which a mixed practice offers. It is not uncommon for people to start their career with an idea of where they would like to end up but to find that they enjoy something completely different in practice.
Many of those in multi-disciplinary sets will spend a large proportion of their pupillage in court. We are looking for pupils who love advocacy and will thrive on the challenges that it brings. In your application, set out your advocacy experience and think more widely than just mooting competitions or debating societies. If you have examples of times that you have persuaded people to see a different point of view; have spoken to large groups; or have taken a leadership role then include these in your application – they are all good examples of advocacy in action!
The challenge of a multi-disciplinary practice is that sometimes it can feel like everything you do is new and unfamiliar. There are times when you might just want to do the same thing as the day before, and you don’t have that luxury when you’re moving onto a different area of law for the next day’s hearing. We are looking for pupils who have the confidence to attempt new things, and to put themselves outside of their comfort zone. In your application, you may want to highlight those times you have taken a step into the unknown and how you have coped. The resilience to recover from a disappointing day at court, to recognise that this happens to all barristers at times, and to be ready to go the next day for a new client is crucial.
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Of course, every set is different and you also need to look carefully at the requirements of the set you are applying to. You need to tailor your application to reflect the values and culture of the set in question in addition to the general guidance set out above. The Bar is a profession geared to detail, accuracy and precision and your application should reflect that. Applications which are unfocused with spelling and grammatical errors will never impress.
Clare Kelly is the Chambers Director at 5 Pump Court, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Legal Practice Management Association.
The competition for pupillage is fierce, and it takes a lot to stand out. Most of the applications received by pupillage committees across the Bar are from those who have achieved high academic grades; who have undertaken a variety of relevant work experience; and who are passionate about pursuing a career at the Bar. So, what else is a multidisciplinary set looking for, and how can you make sure that your application grabs the attention of the pupillage committee? Here are three of the top qualities that our set looks for in pupillage applications:
One of the best things about being in a multi-disciplinary chambers is that you get the chance to try everything. Pupils can go from a plea and trial preparations hearing to a contested child arrangements hearing to a personal injury claim all in the course of a week. It’s a fantastic grounding for the future because you learn about a wide range of areas of law and how they interact with each other as well as getting to experience different procedures and approaches to the law. Whether you later choose to specialise in one area, or continue with a mixed practice in the long term, you will always benefit from having had a broad training.
We expect pupils to be open-minded and to embrace the different opportunities which a mixed practice offers. It is not uncommon for people to start their career with an idea of where they would like to end up but to find that they enjoy something completely different in practice.
Many of those in multi-disciplinary sets will spend a large proportion of their pupillage in court. We are looking for pupils who love advocacy and will thrive on the challenges that it brings. In your application, set out your advocacy experience and think more widely than just mooting competitions or debating societies. If you have examples of times that you have persuaded people to see a different point of view; have spoken to large groups; or have taken a leadership role then include these in your application – they are all good examples of advocacy in action!
The challenge of a multi-disciplinary practice is that sometimes it can feel like everything you do is new and unfamiliar. There are times when you might just want to do the same thing as the day before, and you don’t have that luxury when you’re moving onto a different area of law for the next day’s hearing. We are looking for pupils who have the confidence to attempt new things, and to put themselves outside of their comfort zone. In your application, you may want to highlight those times you have taken a step into the unknown and how you have coped. The resilience to recover from a disappointing day at court, to recognise that this happens to all barristers at times, and to be ready to go the next day for a new client is crucial.
*
Of course, every set is different and you also need to look carefully at the requirements of the set you are applying to. You need to tailor your application to reflect the values and culture of the set in question in addition to the general guidance set out above. The Bar is a profession geared to detail, accuracy and precision and your application should reflect that. Applications which are unfocused with spelling and grammatical errors will never impress.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Developing a tech start-up demands a different definition of excellence to the Bar, says Saara Idelbi. The co-creator of Advocatr on entrepreneurship, AI advocacy training, and matching the thrill of a killer cross-examination
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
