Pupillage
Applications

Pupillage at Trinity Chambers

With Chambers in Newcastle, Leeds and Middlesbrough, Trinity is one of the leading sets on the North Eastern Circuit, with nearly 120 Barristers and Silks across Civil, Criminal and Family practice groups, attracting quality instructions from across the UK and beyond. Consistently recommended in the leading legal directories, Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, ‘Top Tier Set’ Trinity recognise the importance of attracting and developing the best legal talent and creating an environment where those choosing a career at the Bar can thrive.

Trinity Chambers generally offers several twelve-month pupillages each year. Unless otherwise specified, pupillages are only offered where there is the potential for the pupil to be taken on as a tenant in Chambers at the conclusion of the pupillage.

Chambers invests in all its pupils and views the pupillage year as an opportunity to develop the skills required to develop as Barrister and build a successful practice. Regular feedback is given on all pieces of work undertaken by Pupils, whether for their Pupil Supervisor or other members of Chambers.

During their first six, Pupils can expect to observe a range of court hearings, from hearings attended by Pupils and Junior tenants, trials attended by Silks.

Pupils are given a mentor in Chambers before they start pupillage and then are offered further support and guidance as a as a tenant with Chambers Junior Tenant Scheme.

Current Pupillage Recruitment

Chambers offers a pupillage award of £40,000. This is made up of a £15,000 award to each pupil during the first six months and guaranteed earnings of £25,000 during the second six. It is anticipated that billing should exceed £50,000 for the first full year of practice. Further details of the process and the selection criteria can be found here.

We are offering the following Pupillages to commence in October 2025:

• 1 Criminal Pupillage
• 1 Family Pupillage

We are offering the following Pupillages to commence in October 2026

• 1 Criminal Pupillage
• 1 Family Pupillage
• 1 Civil/Commercial Pupillage
• 1 Mixed Pupillage based in Leeds

Other than the specific Leeds pupillage, the other pupillages will be based around Newcastle. However, the geographic area which pupils travel during pupillage will depend significantly upon their supervisor’s diary.  

Chambers traditionally offer pupillages to commence in October each year, however we are flexible to accommodate the needs of pupils and have recently taken on pupils to start in January.

Pupillage Application Timetable

Chambers is a Gateway set. Our pupillage vacancies are all advertised on the Bar Council's Pupillage Gateway and applications must be made through that portal. Application details and timetable for the next round of pupillage applications are those stipulated by the Gateway.

• 2^nd January 2025 – Applications open.
• 6^th February 2025 – Applications close.
• 7^th February 2025 – 8^th May 2025 – Shortlisting and interview period.
• 9^th May 2025 @ 10:00am – Offers made.
• 16^th May 2025 @ 10:00am – Deadline for acceptance. In line with BSB guidance, candidates have up to 7 days to communicate acceptance of offers. If no response is received from a candidate within that period we are entitled to make secondary offers within a reasonable period (if appropriate).

Pupillage Structure

The pupillage is usually divided into three periods spent with different supervisors within Chambers. While these are usually 4 months each, this can vary to reflect the particular work available and specific opportunities which might be available. Pupils are given the opportunity of experiencing work with a range of practitioners of differing levels of experience. During the second six months of pupillage, pupils also undertake a wide range of work themselves. 

While the applications are for a specific type of pupillage, pupils will be able to see a range of work and will be able to have supervisors from other practice groups should they wish to see a variety of areas.

For successful pupils who go on to become tenants, Chambers operates a formal Junior Tenant Scheme (JTS) designed to provide additional support as needed to tenants under 5 years call. The JTS aims to smooth the transition from pupillage to a successful practice by utilising the experience of more senior practitioners and pupil supervisors over and above the support provided by the under 7 years’ call group.

Everything You Need to Know About Pupillage Applications - Video

To help prospective pupillage applicants, below is a recording of talks delivered by Pupillage Committee members James McHugh and Morgan Brien. The session provides practical advice, tips and insight for anyone considering a career at the Bar and applying for pupillage. In addition, the session explores what can be expected from a pupillage at Trinity, as well as life as a Junior member of Chambers.

Pupillage Open Evenings

Trinity regularly holds events inviting prospective applicants to attend Chambers and meet some of the current tenants, junior barristers as well as hear from members of the Pupillage Committee. These events are an opportunity to learn more about pupillage in Chambers, ask questions about the application process and gain some tips. Please follow Chambers' social media and these pages of the Trinity website for details of future pupillage events.

Here is a snapshot and feedback from our recent Open Evening.

Trinity Chambers offers equality of opportunity to all applicants for pupillage without distinction by reference to age, disability, sex, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital or family status, religion, or political persuasion.

The Deputy Director of Pupil Training is Morgan Brien to whom all enquiries should be addressed in the first instance: m.brien@trinitychambers.co.uk

Pupillage Blog

To learn more about life as a Pupil at Trinity Chambers, please read our blogs:
January 2024
June 2024