Am I suited to the chancery bar?

When recruiting pupils Chancery chambers look for:

  • intellectual ability
  • the capacity for presenting clear and accurate written work
  • the ability to explain complex problems simply to non-specialists
  • an aptitude for oral advocacy
  • the ability to assimilate and analyse information
  • skill in legal analysis
  • commercial practicality and an ability to understand clients’ needs
  • maturity and confidence
  • the ability to engage appropriately with clients and solicitors
  • an interest in the work of the chambers.

Pupillage awards tend to be significantly higher at Chancery chambers. For the 2018-2019 pupillage year, for example, the majority of awards were more than £40,000, with some as high as £65,000. A growing number of chambers permit a proportion of this to be drawn down during training and there is often other financial assistance. For more information see the pupillage/recruitment sections of Chambers’ websites.

If this sounds interesting, consider applying for work experience during your undergraduate law degree or your CPE/GDL course. Some chambers stipulate an “assessed” mini-pupillage but individual websites will set out specific requirements.

The life of a Chancery pupil ›