Pupillage at 25 Canada Square Chambers ('25 CSC') is divided into the traditional two parts; your first six months will be spent as a non-practising pupil and the second six months ‘on your feet’ as a practising pupil.
When To Apply
25 Canada Square Chambers is recruiting for up to two pupillages, with one commencing in September 2024 and one in March 2025.
Applications are open from 00:01 (12:01am) on Wednesday 3 January 2024.
The application window is open until 23:59 (11:59pm) on 7 February 2024.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to view the Pupillage Gateway for more details and how to apply. Successful applicants can expect a challenging pupillage and a structured programme of training with a modern, dynamic and commercially-minded set of Chambers.
The September 2024 pupillage advertisement is here and the March 2025 pupillage is advertised here.
What We Are Looking For
Remember that your written submission is the first chance you have to impress the Chambers Recruitment Committee, and the only opportunity you have to ensure you are invited to an interview. Your application should be completely free of any spelling, punctuation or grammar errors.
Candidates are expected to have a strong academic background. However, intellectual ability is only part of what makes a successful candidate at 25 CSC. Candidates will need to be able to research the law and apply it to practical situations, alongside possessing good attention to detail and the ability to write accurately and professionally. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate strong advocacy skills, as well as commitment to a career at the Bar. Prospective applicants must be 'switched on' and able to think on their feet during pressured situations – and particularly during interview. A successful candidate will exhibit the common sense to recognise the practical advice a client really needs.
Members of 25 CSC are required to get on well with lay clients, solicitors, other members of Chambers and the clerks – in the same way, candidates must balance both professionalism and personability. You must demonstrate independence, self-motivation and the excellent time management skills required of Counsel, in accordance with the BSB’s Professional Statement for Barristers.
As with all Chambers, pupils are now assessed against the criteria and competences of the BSB’s Professional Statement. Further details can be found (along with other materials relating to pupillage) on the BSB’s website.
Pupils are selected from a broad range of backgrounds and experience, whether recent university graduates or those seeking a second career at the Bar. A number of our members have degrees in law, some have taken non-law degrees and others have started their career in another sector before becoming a barrister.
Candidates will be expected to demonstrate commercial awareness of the areas of practice in which Chambers is involved and to possess a view on developing trends within the legal services industry.
What Will You Do?
Chambers is highly specialised in civil aspects of commercial and regulatory law, including financial services, and is the 'go to' set for consumer credit law. In particular, Chambers is a leading set in 'unfair relationship' disputes. All our pupils are assigned a single primary Pupil Supervisor. Pupils will shadow their supervisor and other members of Chambers across the full breadth of Chambers’ practice areas.
Our pupils are fully involved in all aspects of life in Chambers. Pupils are encouraged to get to know the Clerks from an early stage and are encouraged to attend social events hosted by Chambers.
What do current/former Pupils say?
Alannah Kavanagh, Pupil in Non-Practising Period (2023 – 2024)
"I am currently in my first six and my Pupil Supervisor is Chris McGeever. I have had the benefit of shadowing numerous members of Chambers, as well as my own Pupil Supervisor, to gain exposure to the full range of Chambers' expertise and different advocacy styles. All members have been very generous with their time, engaging with all my queries. I was even able to shadow and take a noting brief in the Court of Appeal during my first 2 months.
I have regularly been drafting advices, pleadings and skeleton arguments. I have always received detailed and helpful feedback.
From the first day, I have felt supported as I explore new areas of law and navigate challenges, which is necessary on the steep learning curve of Pupillage."
Abdul Qadim, Pupil in Non-Practising Period (2023 – 2024)
"I am currently undertaking my first six months of pupillage (non-practising period) under the supervision of Wendy Banks. Thus far, the experience has been formidable, as I have gained exposure to the full breadth of Chambers’ practice areas and have had a chance to undertake tasks including drafting skeleton arguments, witness statements and preparatory notes across brand new areas of law. I have learned a huge amount within a very short time and each day has been varied.
While the experience has undoubtedly been challenging – as there are long hours involved and the work is intellectually demanding – it has been rewarding. Chambers is a supportive and collegiate environment, where Pupils are encouraged to spend time with a range of members, to build strong working relationships and to gain an insight into the way different colleagues manage their busy practices.
Overall, if you are considering applying for pupillage at 25 CSC, I would urge you to do so. You will be exposed to high-quality civil, commercial and chancery cases, work with talented advocates, and have the opportunity to develop a practice within a growing set of leading Counsel.”
Ashleigh Keily, Former Pupil (2022 – 2023)
"From day one, I was supported in undertaking a wide variety of work encompassing all of Chambers’ practice areas.
I have represented clients in ‘unfair relationship’ disputes, disposal hearings, interim applications, fast track trials, and permission to appeal applications. Alongside being on my feet in court, I have drafted skeleton arguments and advice documents.
I have had the opportunity to get involved in cases beyond what I expected at this stage, which has been invaluable in developing and refining the skills learnt during Pupillage.
Whilst the practising period certainly brought its challenges, support was always on hand from my Pupil Supervisor Chris McGeever, as well as other members of Chambers. I was encouraged to challenge myself and have undoubtedly grown in confidence as a result.
The practising period also brought with it the requirement to manage a busy workload. Again, this aspect of Pupillage was greatly assisted by the support of Chambers’ Clerks."
Joshua Cullen, Former Pupil (2022 – 2023)
"During my first six I shadowed my Supervisor Chris McGeever and other members of Chambers in Court (both in person and remotely).
I completed written work for my supervisor. For example, I regularly prepared skeleton arguments and draft advice documents for a range of commercial and personal injury disputes. After any given trial, I would have the opportunity to compare and review my skeleton with that of my supervisor and other members of Chambers."
Post-Training Opportunities
Pupillage is not run as a competition between pupils, and Chambers’ approach is to invest in candidates who demonstrate the required aptitude and potential. Current members of Chambers include a mixture of self-employed barristers, as well as those who are employed barristers.
In the last two years, Chambers has retained all pupils who underwent pupillage, which demonstrates both their hard work and the effectiveness of their training.
Application Tips
Ensure to proof-read your application for spelling, grammar and punctuation before submitting. Do not create a situation where you submit more than one 'version' of your application, after spotting errors in your first submission.
Recommended length of a CV for your application is 1-2 pages of A4, in a standard business font, size 10-12. Especially vast past experience may justify a CV longer than this recommended length.
Recommended length of a Cover Letter for your application is 1 page of A4, in a standard business font, size 10-12.
Use professional language throughout.
Use your Cover Letter to highlight and expand upon relevant experience contained within your CV.
Tailor your CV so that your Bar-related experience is most prominent to the reader - try to think from the point of view of Chambers' Pupillage Recruitment Committee.
For more application tips, please see this article.