Recruitment

New Court Chambers is part of the Pupillage Gateway system and we generally offer two twelve-month Pupillages a year. The Pupillage Award is £12,000 over the first six months and £12,000 guaranteed earnings in the second six months. We invest in our Pupils, looking on them as potential future Tenants and as a consequence expect the same commitment from them.

For more information visit the Pupillage Gateway.

There is usually one round of interviews, although the high calibre of those we interview has sometimes required a second round. The interview includes an advocacy exercise.

We generally expect prospective Pupils to have attained at least a 2:1 in their degree and a “Very Competent” grade at Bar School but will consider applicants if there are exceptional mitigating circumstances explaining why they have not achieved these levels of qualification. All successful applicants will have already demonstrated their commitment to family law by having related work experience.

Just prior to commencing pupillage, we invite our first six-month Pupils to spend a week-long mini-pupillage with us to allow them an informal and hopefully gentle start to pupillage. Each Pupil will have their own Pupil Supervisor and will have a different Supervisor in the first and second six month periods.

We hold reviews half way through each six-month period to give our Pupils feedback about their progress to date. We also hold at least two unassessed advocacy exercises in the course of Pupillage: the first near the end of the first six months, just before the Pupils go onto their feet as a confidence-building exercise, and the second half-way through the second six month period.

In the first six months our Pupils spend most of their time with their Pupil Supervisor and so will see a variety of high-quality complex cases at all levels of tribunal, predominantly in the public law arena. Nearer the end of the first six months, Pupils are encouraged to shadow members of the junior end of chambers to have some exposure to the kind of public and private law work they will be facing when they are on their feet. They will also have experience of ancillary relief and other family law matters.

Our Pupils are generally very busy in their second six months, with work ranging from minor to more substantial matters in which they can develop their advocacy skills.

All Pupils will be provided with our Pupillage Handbook, Pupillage Policy Statement, Grievance Procedure and Discrimination and Harassment Complaints Procedure. (These documents are also available to any applicant on request).

Chambers is always happy to receive applications for Third Six Pupillage from applicants who have completed a 12 month pupillage with an emphasis on family work. Applicants should be able to show a clear commitment and motivation to pursuing a career as a specialist family advocate.

Please apply by sending a CV with a covering letter to the Chair of the Pupillage Committee in hardcopy and by email to Saiqa Chaudhry, schaudhry@newcourtchambers.com, copying in clerks@newcourtchambers.com.

Please note, we are not accepting any applications for mini-pupillage at the current time due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Any applications for mini-pupillage should be made by sending a CV and covering letter to Kayleigh Long, klong@newcourtchambers.com. Mini-Pupils are required to comply with a Code of Practice during their time with us and to sign a Confidentiality Agreement at the outset of their mini pupillage.