At Ten Old Square we offer one twelve month pupillage each year. We aim to recruit a bright and enthusiastic pupil who has the academic ability and commercial awareness needed for a career at the Chancery Bar.

We pride ourselves on the relaxed and friendly working environment in Chambers and hope that our pupil will find their time with us not only stimulating and interesting but also enjoyable. Pupillage is structured so as to equip our pupil with all the skills necessary for successful practice at the Chancery Bar. Chambers considers pupillage to be a learning experience for the pupil and not a twelve month interview.

Historically, junior tenants have been recruited from Chambers’ pupils and we regard our pupil as the principal candidate for any tenancy. Chambers aims to recruit a junior tenant each year, although whether or not this occurs will depend on a number of factors.

The Structure of Pupillage
Pupillage is usually divided into four periods of three months and is structured so as to provide our pupil with experience of all Chambers’ practice areas. Our pupil can expect to sit with at least four members of chambers during their time with us.

During the second six months, there will be opportunities for our pupil to undertake work of their own, usually on a pro bono basis.

The Award
Our twelve month pupillage carries with it an award of £40,000, payable in monthly instalments in advance during the pupillage. Up to one quarter of the award may be drawn down in the year preceding pupillage.

Chambers also pays the fees for the compulsory Bar Council courses which pupils are required to attend during Pupillage.

Applying for Pupillage

Chambers is not a member of OLPAS and applications should be made on Chambers’ own application form which can be downloaded here, together with information for applicants, or can be obtained from the Pupillage Secretary by making a request in writing. Please send completed application forms to pupillage@tenoldsquare.com and title your email ‘pupillage 2013 application’.

The closing date for submitting applications for Pupillage commencing October 2013 will be 30 January 2012. Applications received after this date will not be considered.  First round interviews will be held on 9 February 2011. The interview panel will then select candidates to attend an open day on 15 February 2012. Those attending the open day will be given a piece of written work to take away and complete. There will then be a second round interview on 28 February 2011. An offer will be made to the successful applicant thereafter.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity
Chambers operates an equal opportunity policy in selecting its pupil in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations and codes of practice. Ten Old Square is committed to equality of opportunity and to diversity amongst our members, clerks, staff, pupils and mini-pupils.

Unfunded Pupillages for Overseas Applicants
Chambers will also consider applications for unfunded pupillages, lasting for up to twelve months, from applicants who do not intend to practise at the English Bar. Such applications should be made by way of Chambers’ application form [download] and sent to the Unfunded Pupillage Secretary at pupillage@tenoldsquare.com. Applications should be headed ‘unfunded pupillage application’. The application process involves an initial interview, followed (if successful) by a piece of written work and a further interview. Chambers will apply its usual criteria for recruiting pupils.  Any offer of an unfunded pupillage will be subject to Chambers’ obtaining a waiver in relation to the individual pupillage from the Bar Standard Board’s Pupillage Funding and Advertising Committee in respect of the obligations it imposes to fund pupillages. 

Mini-Pupillages 
Chambers also offers non-assessed mini-pupillages. Please see the mini-pupillage page for further information.