Recruitment & Pupillage
Applications from barristers
We are a successful and growing set of Bristol barristers, always keen to speak to other specialist practitioners keen to further their career at an energetic and ambitious Chambers. We welcome applications from quality barristers, whatever your year of call. We particularly welcome informal approaches. All applications, whether formal or informal, should be sent to Toby Huggins at Unity Street Chambers. Any application is of course treated in the strictest of confidence. At Unity Street Chambers we operate a competitive rent structure and an equal opportunities policy.
Pupillage
“Pupillage applications are now closed”
As a progressive and ambitious set of Chambers we are always looking at building for the future. We take pupillage seriously and offers of pupillage are made with a view to tenancy.
We are pleased to announce that we are offering one 12-month general common law pupillage to commence in October 2023. Pupillage at Unity Street Chambers attracts a total award of £22,500 made up of a grant of £2,000 paid in August to assist with any relocation and equipment costs, £10,250 paid in monthly instalments in arrears during the first six months of pupillage and guaranteed minimum earnings of £1,708 per month thereafter. We have found that pupils in recent years have earned well in excess of this figure.
The pupillage will be split into four three-month periods and you will have a different pupil supervisor for each period who will ensure that your training needs are met. During your first six months (the non-practising period) you will be expected to complete paperwork, advocacy exercises and to attend conferences and court appearances with members of Chambers across all levels of seniority and Chambers’ practice areas. This will prepare you for your second six months (the practising period) which will be spent undertaking your own court work in courts throughout the Western Circuit in all areas of Chambers’ work.
All applications should be made by way of CV and covering letter, saved as a pdf file named “surname.firstname” and emailed to the Pupillage Secretary at pupillage@unitystreetchambers.com.
Chambers will accept applications from 10am on 4 January 2023 and all applications must be received by 11:59pm on 8 February 2023. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Successful candidates will be invited to interview between February – May 2023.
All applicants will be contacted and informed of the outcome of their application.
Applicants are invited to enclose a copy of our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form which will be detached from the application to ensure that we follow our Equality and Diversity policy. The form can be requested by sending an email to phoebe.oliver@unitystreetchambers.com.
“The pupillage application window has now closed”
Mini-Pupillage
What is it?
Mini-pupils will be able to observe members of chambers in court and in conference with both lay clients and instructing solicitors. Successful applicants will also have the opportunity to draft legal documents and discuss the profession with members of chambers, as well as ask questions about the application process for Pupillage.
Unity Street Chambers offers six mini-pupillage placements a year, for a period of three days. Applications are accepted between 1st January & 31st March each year, with placements taking place from April to December. Applicants must be 18 or over.
How to apply
Please email a copy of your CV, along with a covering letter to minipupillage@unitystreetchambers.com Applicants are asked to include their dates of availability. If you are successful, you will be contacted directly to confirm the dates of your placement.
Bar None Mini Pupillage Pledge
Unity Street Chambers is committed to the Bar None Mini Pupillage Pledge and aims for at least 50% of mini pupillages to be awarded to those from State school and/or BAME backgrounds.
Lincoln’s Inn Mini Pupillage Grant Scheme
The Mini Pupillage Grant Scheme offers financial assistance to students who have secured a mini pupillage but need additional funds to complete it. The fund is intended to help with the cost of long-distance travel, commuting, accommodation and purchasing appropriate professional clothing. The value of each grant is calculated based on the applicant’s anticipated expenses up to a maximum of £500.
More details including the application criteria and application form can be found here: https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/becoming-a-barrister/funding/ Applications are open all year round.
