South Square aims to provide the highest quality advocacy and advice for clients in international and domestic business disputes. We work in a modern, efficient and informal environment. We recruit and train pupils, and select our tenants, from applicants with a wide mix of backgrounds and experience, whether recent university graduates or those seeking a second career at the Bar. A number of our members have degrees in Law, and some have the BCL or other postgraduate qualifications. Others have taken non-Law degrees and gone on to take the CPE/GDL.
We are actively seeking to recruit the highest calibre of candidates who must be prepared to commit themselves to establishing a successful practice and maintaining Chambers’ position at the forefront of the modern Commercial Bar. Our work requires a high degree of self-discipline and self-motivation and the ability to work as part of a team of barristers, solicitors and other professionals is also vital. The Bar is particularly individualistic and meritocratic and the rewards (both professional and personal) can be high for those who succeed.
We look to recruit at least one tenant every year from our pupils and it is the policy of Chambers to assist new tenants to establish careers in the early stages of their practice.
Training
During pupillage, we aim to achieve a balance between training and assessment. Pupils are welcomed into all areas of Chambers’ life and are provided with an organised programme designed to train and equip them for practice in a dynamic and challenging environment.
Pupils sit with a number of pupil supervisors for periods of 6-8 weeks during which time they are expected to become fully involved in all aspects of the practice of their pupil supervisor.
Financial Details
Chambers’ pupillage award for pupillages commencing in October 2015 will be £60,000. Drawdowns for living expenses during the BPTC year will continue to be available.
APPLICATIONS
12 month Pupillages
South Square will be offering two 12-month pupillages to commence in October 2015. The deadline for applications will be 24th January 2014 and the interviews will be held in February 2014.
Applications for pupillage should be made using the application form below and sent to the Pupillage Administrator at South Square by post or by e-mail – applications by CV will not be accepted. The application form requires details of two references, one of which should be an academic reference. The minimum academic qualification is a 2:1 degree.
Click here to download the 12-month pupillage application form.
South Square is not a member of the OLPAS scheme.
3rd Six Pupillages
Chambers welcomes applications for 3rd six pupillages from applicants who have completed a pupillage at a leading Commercial or Chancery set. Applications should be sent to the Pupillage Administrator and be by way of CV and covering letter – clearly marked “Application for 3rd Six Pupillage”- by 19th July 2013.
Funded Mini-Pupillages
Each year South Square offers up to 10 funded mini-pupillages of one week’s duration, each carrying an award of £500.
Up to five places will be available between November 2013 and January 2014. Funded mini-pupils are placed with members of Chambers who are at a senior level and qualified to act as pupil supervisors. During their week in Chambers the candidate will be asked to undertake a written problem which will be reviewed if the candidate applies for a full pupillage. Applications for funded mini-pupillages to be undertaken between November 2013 and January 2014 must be received by 27th September 2013.
Applications for funded mini-pupillages should be made by CV and Cover Letter (to be sent by post or e-mail to the Pupillage Administrator at South Square). If you are a non-law candidate, we would normally expect you to have commenced GDL before commencing a mini-pupillage with South Square.
Unfunded Mini-Pupillage
Unfunded mini-pupillages are usually offered for 2 days and provide an invaluable guide to the work of Chambers. Unfunded mini-pupillages are available for dates between October and December, January and April, and May and July in each year. A mini-pupillage is not a requirement for prospective pupils at South Square, but those contemplating a career at the Bar would be well-advised to undertake a number of mini-pupillages in various sets covering diverse areas of the law in order to choose the specialisation they prefer and consequently to apply for pupillage to those sets which cover that field. If you are a non-law candidate, we would normally expect you to have commenced GDL before commencing a mini-pupillage with South Square.
Currently, applications for unfunded mini-pupillages to be undertaken between October and December 2013 must be received by 26th July 2013.
Applications for unfunded mini-pupillages should be made by CV and Cover Letter (to be sent by post or e-mail to the Pupillage Administrator at South Square).
Contact
If you need further information about pupillage, please contact the Pupillage Administrator at South Square.