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 40 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.
Applications - Applications have now closed.
Applications for Pupillage will open on Wednesday 3rd January. A preview of the application form can be found here.
To start your application click here.
Pupillage
We will recruit up to three candidates to commence 12-month pupillages in 2024 and up to eight to commence in 2025. Currently, those needs are for pupils (with a view to tenancy) within each of the following groups and locations:
i) Crime in Birmingham
ii) Employment in Birmingham and London
iii) Family in Birmingham and London
iv) Planning and Environment in Birmingham and 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 have now closed.
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:-
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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;
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Experience of law in practice (taking account of age and background);
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Commitment/motivation;
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Interpersonal skills;
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Public speaking experience (e.g. debating, mooting, etc.); and
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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 3 January 2024 and close on 7 February 2024 (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 16 March 2024 at our Birmingham and London offices.
The advocacy exercise will take place on the evening of 27 March 2024 with attendance required either at our Birmingham or London offices or virtually.
Following the advocacy exercise, those invited to second round interviews will be invited to attend a one-day assessed mini-pupillage between 2 April 2024 and 19 April 2024.
Second round interviews will be held on Saturday 27 April 2024 and Sunday 28 April 2024.
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;
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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 recruitment@no5.com
