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.