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Our recruitment process complies with all Bar Council requirements and we welcome applications for tenancy from those who have completed pupillage elsewhere and from experienced practitioners. We offer a competitive rate of contribution, excellent clerking, with a focus on work in London, with opportunities to develop additional practice interests and specialisms. If you would like to join our set please contact Colin.sartain@4bb.co.uk for a private and confidential discussion.
4BB Chambers offers four funded twelve-month pupillages each year.
We provide training and assessment for completion of both the non-practising period of pupillage and completion of the practising period of pupillage in accordance with the BSB Professional Statement Competencies and Bar Qualification Manual.
Chambers awards £1,930 per month for the first six months of pupillage. During the second six months pupils are expected to undertake paid court work. However, due to the variable and retrospective nature of payment, Chambers provides a top up payment each month to ensure a minimum income of £1,930 a per month. Pupils are expected to cover their travel costs within London, but will be reimbursed if they need to travel outside London. We support the development of our pupils and will pay for all compulsory courses and other training completed by a pupil during the 12 months of their pupillage.
Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month pupillage, pupils are frequently invited to complete a 6-month probationary tenancy in Chambers to further develop their skills before applying for tenancy. We have an excellent record for offering tenancy to those who complete pupillage with us.
4BB Chambers does not require pupillage candidates to have completed a mini-pupillage with us.
Each pupil will have a supervisor during the first six months of pupillage and a different supervisor during the second period of pupillage. Every effort is made to ensure that pupils have an opportunity to work for other members of Chambers and so be exposed to as wide a range of work as possible.
The pupillage training program combines one-to-one sessions, self-assessment and simulated written and oral assessments to ensure that pupils can meet all the professional competencies necessary for the successful completion of pupillage.
Towards the end of the 12-month pupillage those pupils who wish to be considered for tenancy can apply to Chambers for a six-month period of probationary tenancy. Most pupils apply for probationary tenancy during which they then apply for tenancy. Applications for tenancy are made to the Chambers Management Committee, which will decide if the application will be put to a vote by all of Chambers.
If you are seriously considering a career at the Criminal Bar you are welcome to apply for a mini-pupillage with 4BB Chambers. Mini-pupillages typically last 2 days and you will be given the opportunity to follow a member of our chambers to court. Mini-pupillages are unfunded and you will not be asked to undertake any work for us during your mini-pupillage. We do not assess you or use a mini-pupillage as any part of our selection process for pupillage, and it is not necessary to have undertaken a mini-pupillage with us to be considered for pupillage.
If you would like to apply for a mini pupillage please send us your cv to mini-pupillage@4bb.co.uk with a short covering letter explaining why you are interested in undertaking a mini-pupillage with 4BB Chambers. Where possible we do our best to provide mini-pupillages in geographical locations that are convenient to the applicant. We have a limited fund to assist with the travel expenses of those who wish to undertake a mini-pupillage but cannot do so for financial reasons. If you are in this position please set out your financial circumstances in your covering letter.
Applications should be made through the Pupillage Gateway.
Chambers conducts its recruitment process in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, the Bar Council Fair Recruitment Guide, and the BSB Handbook Equality Rules. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and encourage those from non-traditional or disadvantaged backgrounds to apply.
When selecting pupils, we look for highly motivated candidates with strong analytical ability, demonstrable interest in the field of criminal law, sound practical and ethical judgement and the potential to be an outstanding advocate.
All Gateway applications will be shortlisted and selected by reference to the following competencies:
Applicants achieving a sufficient aggregate score based on the above competencies will be invited to a first-round interview. Those passing the first interview stage will be invited to second interview where they will be asked to perform an advocacy exercise, followed by a more detailed interview intended to assess the candidates in greater depth against the site selection criteria.
We recommend that before you apply you consult the large body of advice available to students applying for pupillage to ensure that your application and interviews are a true reflection of your ability and potential. You may like to start with the Bar Council’s webpages, and your university/training provider.
For help and advice talk to a member of our clerking team. They can advise on the best options for your matter.
