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 both stimulating and enjoyable. Pupillage is structured to equip our pupil with all the skills necessary for a successful practice at the Chancery Bar. Chambers considers pupillage to be a learning experience for the pupil and not a twelve-month interview.
Chambers aims to recruit a junior tenant each year. Historically, junior tenants have been recruited from Chambers’ pupils and we regard our pupil as the principal candidate for any tenancy. In the last 15 years, all of our pupils have been offered, and have accepted, tenancy.
Pupillage is usually divided into four periods of three months and is structured so as toprovide 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. However, the focus in pupillage is on training, and most of our pupils do not take on instructions until their final seat.
We are recruiting for pupillage starting in October 2026 through the Pupillage Gateway.
Our recruitment timetable is as follows.
Interviews will be held in person (or by videolink if candidates prefer). Chambers will reimburse or make a contribution to reasonable travel expenses within the UK for candidates who live some distance away from Chambers and cannot comfortably afford their travel expenses. Please email the Pupillage Secretary at pupillage@tenoldsquare.com.
For more information about the recruitment process, please see our Pupillage and Junior Recruitment Policy, available above. Some tips for filling out the application form can also be found here.
Applications made outside of the Gateway will not be considered.
Candidates who interview with us can request feedback. Due to the number of applications, we are not able to offer feedback on individual forms. However, some general feedback and tips for filling out our application form can be found here.
Our twelve-month pupillage carries with it an award of £75,000 payable in monthly instalments in advance during the pupillage. Up to one quarter (£18,750) may be drawn down in the year preceding pupillage.
Junior tenants do not pay rent and rates for their first year of practice or Chambers’ expenses for the first six months.
Our pupils are usually considered for tenancy in June or July of their pupillage year. The pupil is not required to make a formal application. The decision as to whether to offer tenancy is made by all members of Chambers and is based on the pupil’s merits and performance throughout their pupillage, in comparison with the selection criteria (which mirror the criteria for pupillage and can be found in our application form and pupillage policy), Chambers’ resources and Chambers’ practice needs at the time.
In the last 20 years, all of our pupils have been offered, and have accepted, tenancy.
On the rare occasion that Chambers’ pupil does not become a tenant, or if there is a surfeit of work, Chambers may consider offering an additional period of pupillage or a probationary tenancy to a candidate who has successfully completed twelve months of pupillage elsewhere.
Any such recruitment will be carried out in accordance with the BSB’s fair recruitment guidelines and Chambers will apply its usual pupillage criteria.
Details of how to apply will be set out here as and when Chambers is recruiting.
Chambers will consider applications for unfunded pupillages, lasting for up to twelve months. However, unfunded pupillages do not form part of our recruitment system for tenants and unfunded pupils will not be offered tenancy at the end of their time in Chambers.
Such applications should be made by way of our Chambers’ application form 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 and will also take into account the potential long-term benefit to Chambers of training that applicant.
Any offer of an unfunded pupillage will be subject to Chambers obtaining waivers 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 and advertise pupillages.
Further information about pupillage (including ‘third sixes’ and unfunded pupillages) can be found in our Pupillage and Junior Recruitment Policy.
Ten Old Square is committed to equality of opportunity and to diversity. We operate an equal opportunity policy in selecting our pupils, tenants and mini-pupils, in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations and codes of practice. We welcome applications from all interested candidates, whatever their status or background.
