Pupillage

We invest a great deal of time and money in pupillage. We regard it as essential to the long term future of our Chambers, and the Bar in general, that candidates with potential are supported and trained to the highest possible level. We offer well-funded pupillages at each centre. The quantity and variety of work we have means that we can offer an outstanding practical training. So much so that other Chambers send their pupils to us for experience. Second six month pupils have ample opportunities to undertake work in their own right. In fact one of their main challenges is managing their time so as to get the right balance between training, assessment and developing a practice.

Those of our pupils who have proved their worth will be recruited as tenants. We usually take on several each year: see the News pages.

Type of work undertaken

We have premises in London, Bournemouth, Bristol, Oxford, and Winchester but we operate as a single unit. We have about 120 members and cover a broad spread of common law, commercial and chancery work. In the common law field our work includes contract, personal injury, employment, landlord and tenant, professional negligence, planning and local government, and family, including ancillary relief, child care and Inheritance Act provision. We also have members who specialise in technology and construction work, including adjudication and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. In the field of commercial and chancery work we deal with financial cases of all kinds, including shareholder and partnership disputes, insolvency, guarantees, copyright and passing off. In the field of real property we deal with most matters relating to land, including boundary disputes and easements. We deal with all aspects of crime, including 'white collar' crime.

Many applicants assume that their pupillage should be undertaken in London, but there are considerable advantages in doing it in one of the other centres, and the competition for a place may be less intense. See Pupillage in Wessex for more information.

Application details

The qualities of a Pupil

The qualities we look for in our pupils are intellectual excellence; clarity of expression; a capacity for legal reasoning and rational argument; and potential as an advocate. We also look for personal qualities such as sensitivity and a capacity to relate well to others; sound judgment; application and motivation; and an inquiring and independent mind. Most successful applicants have a first or a good upper second.

The number of Pupils

We seek to take up to six pupils each year (two in London and one at each of our other centres), with all pupils spending time at each centre. However, we reserve the right to take fewer pupils in any given year. If we decide not to recruit in one of our centres it will be advertised on our website.

The pattern of Pupillage

Pupillages are for 12 months, usually with four months spent with each of three pupil masters. In the second six months pupils undertake a variety of their own court work. Successful candidates for pupillage are encouraged to regard themselves as part of Chambers during their year at Bar School.

Finance

3PB offers an award of £25,000 per annum (grant and guarantee). This is made up of a grant of £13,000 paid over a nine month period. This is paid in instalments commencing in September to ensure our pupils have sufficient funds prior to the start of their pupillage. Once a pupil has satisfactorily passed their first six, we expect pupils to quickly build a successful practice. In recognition of this 3PB offers a guaranteed income (as opposed to receipts) of £12,000 for the second six.

In addition, Chambers will pay the fees for those courses which form a necessary part of their pupillage.

Tenancies

We prefer to recruit tenants from our own pupils and we recruit an average of three junior tenants each year. Records of recruitment are on the News pages. Each pupil has a reasonable prospect of becoming a tenant.

Mini-Pupillage and Student visits

All applications for mini pupillage are considered on their merit. Candidates should have either recently completed their higher education or currently be in higher education studying law or some other degree course. Applications should be directed to the individual centre: Mark Green in London, Naomi Rees in Winchester, Nick Davies in Oxford, and Tim Bradbury in Bournemouth. Please send a curriculum vitae and an accompanying letter addressing the following:

• What areas of law interest you, and why do you want to become a barrister?
• What attracts you to 3PB?
• What do you hope to achieve in your week with us?

Chambers does not formally assess its mini-pupils nor is mini-pupillage a requirement before applying for pupillage. Chambers follows the Equality and Diversity code of the Bar Council. See also A mini-pupil's story.

Applications for Pupillage

We operate our own electronic application system via this website. Applications are accepted between 1st May and 31st August. All applications are acknowledged on receipt. We regret that because of the number of applications we receive, it will not be possible to interview all those who apply. Those called for interview will be notified during September. Interviews will take place in late September or early October. Thos interested in applying to 3PB are advised to check this web site for the outcome of the review before submission of an application.

The application form and details of how to apply are on the Pupillage applications page.

Contact points for Chambers

Applications for pupillage are dealt with by the Membership Committee. You can e-mail us at pupillage@3pb.co.uk.

Mini-pupillages are available. Student visits are available. Sponsored students are not accepted.