No5 has established a reputation for breaking new ground and continues to be regarded as a progressive and forward-thinking set.
Chambers is consistently ranked as a leading set in both Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.
As one of the largest sets in the country, with over 260 members including 41 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 read our Pupillage Brochure here:
We will recruit up to five candidates to commence 12-month pupillages in 2025 and up to eight to commence in 2026. The groups who will be recruiting (with a view to tenancy) are as follows:
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.
An award of £30,000 is made during the first six months of pupillage. Chambers guarantees billings of at least £30,000 during the second six months and funds all compulsory training courses during pupillage.
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:
Applications will open on 2 January 2025 and close on 6 February 2025 (in accordance with the Pupillage Gateway timetable).
Chambers has two rounds of interviews in addition to an assessed advocacy exercise.
First round interviews will be held on 22 March 2025 at our Birmingham and London offices.
The advocacy exercise will take place remotely on the evening of 2 April 2025.
Following the advocacy exercise, those invited to second round interviews will be invited to attend a one-day assessed mini-pupillage between 7 and 23 April 2025.
Second round interviews will be held on Saturday 26 April and Sunday 27 April 2025 at either our London or Birmingham offices.
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.
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:
They should be sent by email to recruitment@no5.com.