Pupillage

Consistently ranked as a leading set in both Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500, No5 has established a reputation for breaking new ground and continues to be regarded as a progressive and forward-thinking set. As one of the largest sets in the country, with over 260 members including 37 silks, No5 maintains success in traditional sectors of law whilst offering specialist advice and representation at the cutting edge of newly evolving areas both in the UK and internationally.

With offices in Birmingham, London and Bristol, No5 is divided into core practice groups: Business and Property, Clinical Negligence, Crime, Employment, Family, Immigration, International Human Rights, Personal Injury, Planning and Environment, Public Law and Regulatory and Licensing. Each group has a number of sub-specialisms. Barristers are supported by dedicated clerking teams, an outstanding library, effective administration, IT support and marketing resources.

You can now read our Pupillage Brochure online. Click the link below to read more.

READ BROCHURE

Applications

Applications have now closed.

Pupillage

We will recruit up to eight candidates to commence 12-month pupillages – two to commence in 2023, and six in 2024 – who best meet chambers’ business needs. Currently, those needs are for pupils (with a view to tenancy) within in each of the following groups and locations:

i) Crime (Birmingham)

ii) Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence (either Birmingham or London)

iii) Public (either Birmingham or London)

iv) Business and Property (either Birmingham or London)

v) Planning and Environment (either Birmingham or London)

vi) Family (Birmingham)

vii) Employment (either Birmingham or London)

Although pupillages will primarily be within a core practice area, pupils might receive exposure to additional areas of practice in their first six and may be expected to undertake work in areas beyond their principal area of interest in their second six.

A considerable investment is made in chambers’ pupils and pupillages are offered with a view to tenancy, providing appropriate benchmark requirements are met. Throughout the 12-month period, pupils are carefully monitored by the Pupillage Committee to ensure that they are progressing appropriately and that all their training needs are being met.

Pupils can expect their workload during their second six months to be varied and challenging.

Level of Award

An award of £27,500 is made during the first six months of pupillage. Chambers guarantees billings of at least £27,500 during the second six months and funds all compulsory training courses during pupillage.

Applications

Applications should only be made for this round of recruitment if you wish to practice primarily in the groups set out above. Written applications will be assessed in accordance with the following criteria:-

1. Intellectual ability (the general academic requirement for pupils is AAB at A-Level (excluding General Studies), or equivalent, together with a 2:1 at degree level. Chambers will consider appropriate alternative qualifications and/or applications from those with mitigating circumstances;
2. Experience of law in practice (taking account of age and background);
3. Commitment/motivation;
4. Interpersonal skills;
5. Public speaking experience (e.g. debating, mooting, etc.); and
6. Presentation of written application (organised and persuasive thought and good grammar and spelling), together with a demonstrated ability to answer the questions asked.
   

Application Procedure

Applications will open on 4 January 2023 and close on 8 February 2023 (in accordance with the Pupillage Gateway timetable).

Chambers has two rounds of interviews, with a short assessed mini-pupillage (between 28 March 2023 and 22 April 2023) for those candidates who are invited to a second round interview.
First round interviews will be held on 18 March 2023. Second round interviews will be held on 22 April 2023 and 29 April 2023 (and, potentially, on 21 April 2023 and 28 April 2023). These dates are liable to change. 

Chambers accepts applications from those who have not yet undertaken the BPTC.

Chambers is an equal opportunities employer and will endeavour to accommodate any requests for special requirements. 

Interviews

Please note all interviews are held in Birmingham and/or London in person. Chambers does not cover candidates’ expenses for travelling to the interviews.

Enquiries

For enquiries, please contact Lisam@no5.com

Unfunded Pupillages

No5 Barristers’ Chambers invites applications for unfunded pupillages from candidates who do not intend to practise at the Bar of England and Wales. Applications will be assessed by reference to the assessment criteria detailed above (under “Applications”) and the business case for offering an unfunded pupillage. Unfunded pupillages will only be offered in exceptional circumstances. Any offers will be subject to chambers’ ability to accommodate the applicant and obtaining the relevant advertising and funding waivers from the Bar Standards Board.
All applications (which will be by way of a covering letter) should be accompanied by a CV which includes the following: Details of your main areas of existing practice and who instructs you in these areas;

• Names of solicitors or other referrers of work who we are able to approach in confidence to obtain a reference.
• They should be sent by email to our Head of Recruitment, Olivia Chaffin-Laird at recruitment@no5.com