Pupillage

We pride ourselves on our investment in our pupils.  They are the barristers in whom Chambers' future resides; our selection procedure is rigorous but fair.

The Chambers Student Guide 2011 says of Blackstone Chambers ‘it has succeeded at everything it has turned its hand to...with top tier rankings in Chambers UK for an impressive eight practice areas.’ This builds on the Guide's comments in previous years that “[Chambers] has a ‘gregarious’ atmosphere and, for the benefit of pupils, effort is made to ‘create a relatively relaxed environment during what is a naturally stressful period’…..'The cross section of work on offer lends itself to diversity’ and 'the set is as good as its word in being open-minded as regards to who and what you are, and where you come from’.” 

 Please note that mini pupillages are a vital part of our applications process. Accordingly, no pupillage will be offered at Blackstone Chambers unless the applicant has undertaken an assessed mini pupillage.

Pupillage Portal

Blackstone Chambers is a member of Pupillage Portal (formerly known as OLPAS) – the online pupillage application scheme promoted by our professional body, the Bar Council.  Any applications for pupillage at Blackstone Chambers must be made to us via Pupillage Portal.

The Pupillage Portal applications window for 2011 applications has now closed. The applications window for 2012 applications will open in March 2011.

More information about the application process can be found in our pupillage guide, which can be downloaded from this page. Full details of the Pupillage Portal scheme can be obtained from the Bar Council website or from Pupillage Portal.

Potential applicants who do not fall within the Pupillage Portal criteria should contact Julia Hornor, our Chambers Director, for further information.  In any event any application by such an applicant should follow the format of our mini pupillage application form, which can be downloaded from the mini pupillage section of this site.

Pupillage at Blackstone Chambers

We believe that pupils should be involved in every aspect of their pupil supervisor’s work. We give our pupils a rounded overview of a barrister’s role, and equip them for the legal and practical challenges they will face in practice.

As a pupil at Blackstone Chambers, you will have four pupil supervisors through the year. Pupil supervisors are chosen to ensure that each pupil gets a solid grounding in the three core areas of Chambers’ work – commercial, employment, and public law. Beyond that core, you will experience your supervisors’ particular areas of expertise.  In recent years, for example, supervisors have been experts in areas including competition law, immigration law, and financial regulation.

Pupillage at Blackstone Chambers is very much a hands-on experience.  From your first day with your supervisor you will get stuck into whatever cases your supervisor is instructed on at that moment. The typical work involves doing first drafts of the documents which your pupil supervisor is working on. You will therefore develop a wide experience of drafting pleadings and other court documents, writing skeleton arguments and compiling written advices. You may also be asked to do a first draft of questions to be used in a cross examination, or to prepare opening or closing submissions.

You will also be involved in every step of the advisory and litigation process. Pupils attend conferences with clients, listen in on phone conversations where appropriate, and are encouraged to discuss the strategic, procedural and ethical elements of cases with their supervisors.

The emphasis which we place on the close working relationship between pupil and supervisor means that pupils do not do any additional work for other members of Chambers. You will be able to focus entirely on the cases which you are involved in on a day-to-day basis.

Because Blackstone pupils are exposed to such a wide range of legal areas, the whole year is non-practising, which means that pupils do not do any of their own work during pupillage. On the other hand, we strongly encourage our pupils to take on pro bono cases with FRU or other charities, and we will provide support and ensure that you have the time you need to dedicate to pro bono work.

The Finances

We currently offer a pupillage award of £60,000 for pupillage commencing in 2012. Pupils may apply to draw down up to £17,000 during their BPTC year. These figures are not affected if, like many of our pupils, you are successful in obtaining further financial assistance from your Inn.

Law Fairs & Events

We attend several law fairs throughout the academic year. These provide a good opportunity to meet members of Chambers and ask questions about pupillage and life at the Bar.

Forthcoming law fairs and events we shall be attending are listed below and we will continue to update this section throughout the year.

University of Cambridge - Barristers Event
Tuesday 24th January 2012

Inner Temple Inter-Varsity Debating Competition 2012 
Friday 3rd & Saturday 4th February 2012
Blackstone Chambers is delighted to be the sponsor of the Inner Temple Inter-Varsity Debating Competition. Inner Temple Website

Oxfid Conference 
Sunday 26th February 3pm
Blackstone Chambers are happy to be supporting this event and are providing a speaker to discuss Human Rights Law and Development.

National Pupillage Fair
Saturday 3rd March 2012

Blackstone De Smith Cambridge Moot
Thursday 8th March 2012
Blackstone Chambers are pleased to be the sponsors for this event.

Further information

We have produced a general “Pupillage Guide” which will, we hope, provide you with answers to many of the questions you may have about pupillage at Blackstone Chambers.   This can be downloaded here.

General Pupillage Guide (4363 kb) [pdf]

super slick and smooth as silk ... Blackstone can't help but impress 

Chambers Student Guide 2012

Further information