Join Us

Chambers is a member of the Pupillage Gateway. All applications should be made via the Pupillage Gateway. Please see here to apply to Six Pump Court.

The six things that we think you should know about pupillage at Six Pump Court are as follows:

1. Six Pump Court typically offers two twelve-month pupillages per year. Each pupillage offered is currently financed by a £40,000 pupillage award, £25,000 of which is paid monthly during the First Six and we guarantee earnings of £15,000 in the Second Six.
2. We expect our pupils to be genuinely interested in a number of our key practice areas and committed to developing a broad practice at the Bar, which we expect to be able to foster during pupillage by providing our pupils with professional training of the highest quality over a wide range of our key practice areas.
3. Six Pump Court has a very strong tradition of recruiting tenants from pupillage and we recognise that our future success depends upon maintaining the highest standards in the selection and training of our pupils.
4. Pupillage at Six Pump Court lasts for 12-months, comprising three ‘seats’ in different practice areas.
5. Whilst we encourage those intending to apply for pupillage to undertake a mini-pupillage with us, doing so is not a pre-requisite for applying for pupillage. Candidates should not be dissuaded from applying for pupillage if their application for mini-pupillage is unsuccessful or if they just have not undertaken a mini-pupillage with Chambers.
6. We anonymise all applications that we receive and when selecting candidates for pupillage we apply our selection criteria, which is available here.

 

To give greater detail, we have produced a brochure which aims to answer the question ‘Why do you want to become a pupil at Six Pump Court?‘ by providing useful guidance for pupillage applicants, a summary of how the process works, and details of what you can expect from a pupillage at Six Pump Court: Six Pump Court Pupillage Brochure. We recommend you read the brochure as it contains all relevant information about pupillage in Chambers.

 

 

We are always interested in quality candidates who have already completed a twelve-month pupillage. We welcome applications at any time but recruit strictly on an ‘as needed’ basis. Therefore, we advise that you contact Grace Cullen, Head of Pupillage, by email at pupillage@6pumpcourt.co.uk for a confidential, informal discussion prior to making a formal application.

At times when Chambers is undergoing recruitment for third-six pupillage we will advertise vacancies here and on the Bar Council website.

 

 

What is a mini-pupillage at Six Pump Court like?

Mini-pupillage placements at Six Pump Court are not formally assessed. The aim of mini-pupillage is to provide candidates with an introduction to life at Six Pump Court and an opportunity to experience the type of work undertaken by our junior tenants. We consider mini-pupillages are a valuable opportunity for those intending to apply to Six Pump Court for pupillage to get to know us and for us to get to know them.

We recommend that you read our pupillage brochure in the above section, which provides more detail about the kind of work that we do in Chambers.

Mini-pupils spend between two to five days in Chambers and they will have support from James Harrison and another junior member of Chambers who will act as mini-pupil supervisor for the duration of their visit by providing a main point of contact and overseeing the day-to-day arrangements during your visit.

Candidates should be aware that the majority of our criminal law work is undertaken in Kent. As our working pupils and junior tenants accept instructions in criminal cases, it is very likely that mini-pupils will be expected to travel to courts in Kent on at least one day during their placement. Financial assistance for travel expenses can be available in certain cases. Please indicate if you would like to be considered for financial assistance in your application.

Candidates may apply for funded mini-pupillages. Chambers will endeavour to support all candidates for whom the cost of attending a placement is prohibitively expensive.
The financial support that is provided by Chambers will be limited to travel outside of London and will be capped at £100.00 per placement.
Those who wish to be considered for financial support should provide the following information in the email to which they attach their covering letter and CV:
• That they wish to be considered for financial support.
• Details of their personal circumstances that they consider makes then eligible for financial support.

Who should apply?

Applications for mini-pupillage are invited from candidates undertaking, or having completed, the final year of their academic legal studies, who genuinely intend to apply for pupillage at Six Pump Court.

How do you apply?

At Six Pump Court we offer 40 mini-pupillages in a calendar year, which are divided between three windows in the year. In 2025, the windows are as follows

1. Window 1 is between 6 January 2025 and 14 February 2025 (12 placements).
2. Window 2 is between 28 April 2025 and 20 June 2025 (16 placements).
3. Window 3 is between 1 September 2025 and 17 October 2025 (12 placements).

We accept applications during the four weeks following the conclusion of the previous window, e.g., an application for a mini-pupillage in Window 2 should be made between 15 February 2025 and 14 March 2025. If you apply out of time, then your application will be considered for the following application cycle.

All applications received are then reviewed during the following two weeks. Following the review of the placements, all successful candidates will be contacted at the same time and invited to confirm their availability to attend Chambers by return. Specific placement dates are allocated on a strictly first-come first-served basis.

To ensure that our mini-pupils are able to spend quality time with the barristers they are shadowing, we are conscious to ensure that wherever possible mini-pupils do not overlap with each other. Therefore, in each week of each window our intention is to accept two mini-pupils: one for a two-day placement and the other for a three-day placement.

Applications must be made by way of a covering letter and a curriculum vitae. Covering letters must explain, by reference to our Selection Criteria (below), why the applicant should be considered as a strong candidate for pupillage at Six Pump Court and the reasons for applying for a mini-pupillage placement.

Please address all applications for the attention of James Harrison, Six Pump Court Chambers, 6 Pump Court, Temple, EC4Y 7AR or email pupillage@6pumpcourt.co.uk

 

Pupillage Selection Criteria

(a) Proven intellectual ability

We look for an ability to absorb complex information rapidly and to identify essentials from which an argument can be constructed.
• This can be demonstrated by performance in undergraduate exams (if you did not achieve an upper second-class honours degree then please address this in your application).
• We do look beyond academic results in seeking to identify candidates with potential or flair, which can be demonstrated by performance at interview or other experiences.
• Appropriate weight will be given to any other matters appearing on the Pupillage Gateway form or arising from interview which demonstrate high intellectual ability.

(b) Interests and achievements going beyond the academic subjects studied

We recognise that demonstrating excellence alongside academic performance shows a capacity to balance competing interests and marshal time and effort effectively. We want applicants with an ability to work under pressure, to cope with stress, and to remain calm but confident.
• This may be demonstrated in a variety of ways, including by learning skills or instruments, by high level sporting performance, by holding committee positions or similar, or by studying for a degree at the same time as working or bringing up a family.
• We look for drive and passion; a desire to work hard in multiple fields in which you are interested.
• We want to know a little more about you and how you spend your spare time as we are ultimately recruiting a member of Chambers, which is someone who can contribute as more than just a lawyer.

(c) Ability to express ideas clearly and persuasively

This relates to expression both in writing and orally, sometimes this will require concision but at other times it will be appropriate to include further detail to express complex concepts.
• We look for an articulate and confident response to questions and how you assimilate new information that may be given in response to your initial answer.
• We also consider the quality of your written application form both in terms of grammar and spelling, and linguistic choices.

(d) Ability to think on your feet

We look for applicants who are willing and able to assess new information as it comes to light and adapt their arguments accordingly (or not if they determine that the information is irrelevant).
• This may be demonstrated by performance at interview.
• This may also be shown by proven achievement in mooting or debating.

(e) Commitment to becoming a barrister and ability to pursue a career at the Bar

We seek to recruit those who can demonstrate drive, determination, leadership skills and an ability to see things through to a successful conclusion.
• This could be demonstrated by the completion of work experience or other engagement with the Bar.
• This may be demonstrated by achievement in non-academic fields or by overcoming adversity.

(f) An interest in more than one of the areas of law within our key practice areas

We want candidates who understand the areas of law in which we act and the realities building and maintaining such a practice. We want to know that applicants understand that our junior tenants have a predominantly criminal practice.
• This could be demonstrated by previous placements with us, other Chambers, or other employers in the same practice area.
• This could also be demonstrated by academic or extra-curricular study relating to one of our practice areas.

(g) Capacity to understand and to show understanding of the needs and problems of those for whom and with whom they work

We want to recruit only those who will be a positive member of Chambers in the sense that they are able to professionally assist their colleagues or instructing solicitors, empathise with their lay client, or be able to personally support other members of Chambers.
• This could be demonstrated through work experience or by references provided to support your application.
• This may be shown in the way in which candidates answer written or oral questions.
• At interview, this will also include a consideration of an applicant’s temperament.

(h) Good interpersonal skills

We look for candidates who will be able build long-lasting, collaborative relationships with clients and within chambers.
• This could be demonstrated by proof of sustained professional relationships with colleagues and others over time.
• At interview, this will also include a consideration of an applicant’s temperament.

Six Pump Court welcomes direct applications for tenancy at our Chambers from outstanding practitioners at all levels of call.

If you have experience within any of our main areas of practice and are interested in joining us, you are invited to submit your CV and a covering letter to Richard Constable, Senior Clerk.

All applications from established barristers will be considered by our Recruitment Committee and will be treated as confidential.

There are no vacancies at present.