Rougemont Chambers Pupillage
NEWS
Chambers is NOT currently recruiting pupils – as soon as this changes we will advertise the fact on Chambers Website and on the Bar Council Web site.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Rougemont Chambers intends to recruit one or two first or second six pupils per year and will advertise all pupillage vacancies on the Bar Council Web site, giving at least 14 days notice of the vacancy prior to the closing date. Application is by CV with a covering letter to Mr John Lloyd, Pupillage Secretary. Chambers does not use the OLPAS scheme.
Chambers operates an equal opportunities policy in its selection of pupils in accordance with the Bar Code of Conduct.
FUNDING
Chambers will meet the minimum funding requirement during the first six months of pupillage and will also meet travelling expenses and the cost of compulsory pupillage courses. The said payment shall be made on a monthly basis.
Chambers will guarantee net receipts of £5000 during the second six months of pupillage and will also meet travelling expenses and the cost of compulsory pupillage courses. The earnings guarantee applies to the whole period of six months but the pupil shall receive at least one sixth of the guaranteed amount each month, with any overpayment being repaid in a future month from receipts that are in excess of the monthly figure.
Practising pupils are required to pay clerks fees / chambers expenses at the rate of 10% of net receipts. These are payable when they are received even if pupils have left chambers.
If any pupil is experiencing financial hardship, they should raise the matter with their pupil supervisor or with the pupillage secretary. Chambers will endeavour to assist the pupil during this period.
SELECTION PROCEDURES
There is no minimum selection criteria but the following matters will be considered when determining which of the candidates shall be invited to attend for interview.
- Bar Vocational Course results (if available).
- Degree Classification.
- A-level results.
- Legal experience.
- Debating / Mooting experience.
- Knowledge of Rougemont Chambers
- Interest in developing a common law practice on the Western Circuit.
- Quality and presentation of CV / Covering letter.
The decision as to which of the candidates shall be invited for interview will be taken by the Pupillage Secretary, after consulting with the Head of Chambers.
PUPILLAGE INTERVIEWS
Short-listed candidates will be interviewed by a committee, comprising at least three members of chambers, who shall conduct all of the interviews. Applicants may be asked to complete a short advocacy exercise or to discuss a particular legal problem. Interviews will last for approximately 30 minutes.
At the conclusion of the interview stage of the recruitment process, there shall be a further short-listing exercise.
The candidates who have successfully completed the interview stage shall be invited to attend Chambers for an assessed mini-pupillage, on dates that are suitable to the candidate.
The interview committee, in conjunction with the Head of Chambers, shall make the final decision as to which, if any of the candidates, should be offered pupillage.
We would not normally offer a pupillage to anyone who has not spent at least some time in chambers.
SELECTION OF PUPILS FOR TENANCY
All pupillages offered by Rougemont Chambers are given with a view to tenancy and junior tenants are generally recruited from our own pupils. If a pupil meets the required standard, he or she will be offered tenancy.
A pupil may make an application for second six or tenancy (as appropriate) at any time after he / she has completed four months of his or her six-month pupillage. The pupil shall be informed of whether he or she shall be offered tenancy at least two weeks before pupillage is due to end.
If a second six-month pupil is not offered tenancy, they will be offered the opportunity to squat in Chambers for up to three months, so that they may pursue opportunities elsewhere. This period may be extended in appropriate circumstances.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT PUPILLAGE
The Pattern of Pupillage
The pupil shall have one pupil supervisor during the six-month pupillage period.
In order to ensure that the pupil gains experience in all areas of law, the pupil shall be encouraged to spend time with other members of chambers, including the most junior. The pupil-master shall retain overall supervisory duties during these periods.
The pupil shall be encouraged to spend up to two weeks of the six-month period with the local office of the Crown Prosecution Service.
The Role / Duties of the Pupil.
If not otherwise engaged in court or in conference, the pupil is expected to be in Chambers between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm, with a break of approximately one hour for lunch. Dress should be dark formal.
When pupils are away from Chambers, they shall inform their pupil supervisor or the senior clerk of their whereabouts and how they may be contacted.
The pupil may take up to two weeks holiday leave in any six-month pupillage period, on dates agreed between the pupil, the pupil supervisor and the Senior Clerk.
The pupil will be expected to carry out legal research, draft statements of case and skeleton arguments, write opinions, prepare for and undertake court hearings and attend conferences.
The pupil shall not be expected to undertake work of any nature from members of chambers other than his pupil supervisor unless the pupil supervisor has given his express permission for this to be done, after considering the extent of the pupil’s existing work commitments.
The Role / Duties of the Pupil Supervisor.
The Pupil supervisor shall provide regular supervision and feedback to the pupil, with reviews taking place on at least a monthly basis.
There shall be a thorough review of the pupil’s performance after three months of the pupillage have been completed.
If the pupil supervisor is away from Chambers, arrangements will be made for the proper supervision of the pupil during the absence and the pupil shall be clearly told who to report to.
Distribution of Work
The distribution of work amongst all members of chambers, working pupils and squatters shall be carried out without discrimination and in a manner that is fair to all.
If Chambers has more than one working pupil at any one time, the Head of Chambers shall ensure that the distribution of work to working pupils is reviewed at least every two months.
If the pupil wishes to make a complaint as to the distribution of work, he or she should raise the matter with his or her pupil-supervisor, the pupillage secretary or the Head of Chambers.
Complaints and Grievance Procedure
If the pupil has any complaint or grievance, it should be raised in the first instance with the pupil supervisor. If the pupil believes this to be inappropriate, they may raise the matter with the Pupillage Secretary (currently John Lloyd) or the Equal Opportunities Officer (currently Debbie Grennan). Chambers shall endeavour to resolve the matter within 7 days.
If a pupil is dissatisfied with the manner in which the issue has been dealt with or with the proposed solution, he/she may take their complaint / grievance to the Head of Chambers, who shall endeavour to resolve the matter within a further 7 days. There is no further appeal from the decision of the Head of Chambers.
Pupillage Checklists
Pupils will be expected to work towards completion of the common core checklist and their progress will be monitored by the Pupil Supervisor on at least a monthly basis.
