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 2025 and one in March 2026.
Applications are open from 11:00 (11:00am) on Thursday 2 January 2025.
The application window is open until 23:59 (11:59pm) on Thursday 6 February 2025.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to view the Pupillage Gateway for more details and how to apply.
Candidates will benefit from an anonymised application during the shortlisting phase and will be shortlisted based on objective criteria, including their written communication, motivation towards a career at the Bar, and commercial awareness.
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 2025 pupillage advertisement is here and the March 2026 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?
Alexander Bisset, Pupil in Non-Practising Period (2024-2025)
“I am currently undertaking my first six under the supervision of Chris McGeever. I have had the benefit of shadowing Chris at court and have gained substantial exposure to all of Chambers’ core practice areas at both the County Court and High Court, including insolvency, property, commercial, personal injury and civil litigation. The highlight so far has been observing a complex 3-day corporate insolvency trial at the Business and Property Courts of the High Court. I have always had the opportunity to discuss each case with my Supervisor both before and after the hearing, and to observe him in conference with clients and opposing counsel.
I have also had the opportunity to complete written work as part of my first six. I am regularly asked to assist my Supervisor with preparing draft advice documents and skeleton arguments, for which I have received detailed and helpful feedback. I have also had the opportunity to assist my Supervisor with legal research on challenging and contentious points of law for upcoming hearings.
Although it has been a steep learning curve, I have thus far found the work interesting, varied and extremely rewarding. The process has been well-structured and I have felt supported and engaged throughout. I would strongly encourage anyone considering applying to 25 CSC to do so. I look forward to continuing to be exposed to Chambers’ practice and to eventually commencing my practising period in Spring.”
Abdul Qadim, Former Pupil (2023 – 2024)
“I have recently completed my pupillage at 25 CSC under the supervision of Wendy Banks and am now practising as a fully-fledged barrister. During my pupillage, I gained extensive exposure to Chambers’ core practice areas and worked on a diverse range of cases, which allowed me to develop key skills that have significantly contributed to my growth as an advocate. From drafting skeleton arguments, pleadings and witness statements to presenting in Court, the entire experience provided me with a solid foundation for my career at the Bar.
The transition to becoming a member at 25 CSC has been both exciting and challenging. As a member, I have the privilege of working alongside highly skilled colleagues and am steadily building a practice that encompasses complex civil and commercial matters. Chambers fosters a collegiate atmosphere, and the support from experienced members such as Chris McGeever and Michael Javaherian has been invaluable in helping me to establish myself and excel.
For those considering applying for pupillage at 25 CSC, I would strongly encourage you to do so. The experience is both rigorous and rewarding and offers immense opportunities to learn, grow and contribute within a highly ambitious and rapidly expanding set.”
Alannah Kavanagh, Former Pupil (2023 – 2024)
“I finished pupillage at the end of August 2023. My Pupil Supervisor was Chris McGeever. Throughout my non-practising period I had the benefit of shadowing numerous members of Chambers, as well as my own Pupil Supervisor, and was exposed to the full range of Chambers' expertise and different advocacy styles. All members were very generous with their time and engaged 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 also undertook a lot of drafting in my first six, with the help of my Supervisor. This really helped to prepare me for my practising period. My second six was busy and exciting, I encountered new challenges and experiences with each day. I represented clients in a range of matters, regularly appearing in fast track and small claims trials. I also had the continuous benefit of the support from my Supervisor and Clerks throughout.”
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."
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.
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.