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| Pupillage application selection procedure | |
| Applications for Pupillage are considered and marked by no less than 2 members of the Pupillage Committee/ members of chambers. A short list of candidates proposed for first round interviews is drawn up following the scoring criteria set out below. Only the highest scoring applicants will be short-listed. The applications of the short-listed candidates are considered again by the Pupillage Committee (considering the same scoring criteria) before invitations for first round interviews are sent out. Following first round interviews a short list is created of candidates who are invited to second round interviews from which one successful candidate is chosen. Applications for pupillage and tenancies are considered in accordance with Barmark and equal opportunites standards. Chambers considers tenancy applications from pupils in September, at the end of the pupillage year. Historically, it has been the policy of Chambers to recruit junior tenants from its pupils. Applications for pupillage commencing in October 2009 should be made by letter accompanied by a CV addressed to the Pupillage Committee and received in Chambers between 1st and 31st May 2008. A stamped addressed envelope should be included with the application. Further, all candidates are required to provide a short statement in support of their application, namely in 750 words or less please state why 2 Gray's Inn Square Chambers should take you on as a pupil. Please note that applications that do not include this statement will not be considered. Please ensure you include your e-mail address and a contact telephone number. |
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| Criteria for scoring | |
| Each application is considered and scored using the following criteria: | |
| > | Education/ intellectual ability |
| > | Employment and other experience |
| > | Choice of career |
| > | Advocacy |
| Each heading is scored separately to ensure that attention is paid to all the information contained in an applicant’s letter, supporting statement and Curriculum Vitae. Each heading is scored on a 5-point scale. | |
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| In considering each heading the following examples will be scored positively (although the list of examples given is not to be considered as exhaustive). | |
| Education/ intellectual ability | |
| • | Excellent pre-university results – e.g. A levels or their equivalent. |
| • | First degree results- according to class of degree attained. |
| • | Postgraduate qualifications, particularly in law or a closely related subject. – If BVC has been completed, a grade of Outstanding or Very Competent will be marked positively. |
| • | Distinction in CPE or a course of similar standard. |
| • | Award of Scholarships, prizes for intellectual achievements |
| • | Significant project work [either academic or in employment]. |
| • | Jobs which make significant intellectual demands. |
| Employment/ experience | |
| • | Work experience- legal or para-legal, part-time or full-time, paid or unpaid e.g. legal clerking, voluntary at CAB’s/ Law Centres. |
| • | Previous jobs/careers- particularly relevant to experienced candidates. |
| • | Ability to speak other languages. |
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| Choice of career | |
| • | Giving up well-paid, secure or prestigious non-legal job to come to the Bar. |
| • | Significant experience of legal or para-legal work [in employment or voluntary]. |
| • | Making significant efforts to gain experience of the Bar [e.g. mini-pupillages] |
| • | Overcoming financial difficulties to obtain training. |
| • | Successfully completing part-time course to convert to law |
| • | Overcoming significant personal hardships to pursue career in law. |
| • | Contributing significantly to the development of the profession [e.g. societies, committees etc.] |
| • | Evidence of a clearly thought out career plan. |
| Advocacy | |
| • | Success in competitive public speaking [e.g. competitive mooting or debating]. |
| • | Experience of public speaking of significance [e.g. media appearances, electioneering] |
| • | Experience of speaking to large and/or critical audiences [e.g. lectures or presentations to clients] |
| • | Experience of being an advocate |
| • | Experience of self advocacy in significant contexts |
| • | Experience of putting forward serious or significant recommendations to a public body or organisation |
| • | Overall presentation of application |
| Mini-pupillages | |
| In addition to 12 months’ pupillages, Chambers takes 4 mini-pupils each year. The duration of a mini pupillage is one week between July and September. Chambers tries to ensure that mini pupils experience all aspects of life at the Bar. Applications should be made in writing (marked 'f.a.o. the Mini Pupillage Coordinator') and be received in Chambers between 1st and 31st May in each year. We cannot consider applications for mini-pupillage from candidates applying for pupillage in the same year. |
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