25 Bedford Row runs and implements an equal opportunities pupillage policy. This runs throughout the selection process to the training and finally to the selection of tenants. Chambers takes all steps to ensure that proper arrangements are made for dealing with pupils and pupillage and that the affairs of Chambers are conducted in a manner, which is fair and equitable for all pupils.
Chambers has a firm commitment to equal opportunities and welcome and encourage applications from all sections of society, regardless of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or age
Chambers operates the following policy with regard to the conduct of pupillage:
Number of Pupils
Chambers offer up to three 12-month pupillages, terminable at the end of the twelve months by either Chambers or the pupil, but this policy is reviewable each year by the Pupillage Committee in consultation with the Management Committee of Chambers. Pupillages for a shorter period will be considered for successful candidates where appropriate but must be made through the Pupillage Gateway in line with all other applications.
Depending upon workload, Chambers accommodates Probationary Tenancies (formerly known as third-six pupillage), each 6-months in length (some of whom may have completed 12 months pupillages with 25 Bedford Row, some of who may be external candidates).
Advertisement of Pupillages
In accordance with the ‘Pupillage Funding & Advertising Requirements’ issued by the Bar Standards Board (Annex R to the BSB Handbook), all 1st and 2nd six month pupillages offered by Chambers are advertised through the Pupillage Gateway website.
Applications for Pupillage
25 Bedford Row is a member of the Pupillage Gateway. All applications for 1st and 2nd six-month pupillages must be made via the Pupillage Gateway.
Timetable
The Pupillage Gateway timetable for our application round for pupillages commencing in October 2026 is as follows:
- Monday 25th November 2024, 12.01am: Applicants may access the Pupillage Gateway to browse vacancies.
- Thursday 2nd January 2025, 11am: The submissions window for applications opens and applicants can start, edit and submit their applications.
- Thursday 6th February 2025, 11.59pm: The submissions window for applications closes.
- Friday 9th May 2025, 9.30am: Offers made.
- Friday 16th May 2025, 9.30am: Deadline for accepting initial offers.
Pupillage Open Evenings
Our next Pupillage Open Evenings will be held on Tuesday 12th November 2024 and Wednesday 15th January 2025. During the evening, prospective pupils will hear from our Head of Pupillage, current pupils and some of our Members of Chambers. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions in an informal Q&A session and hear our dos and don’ts for interviews.
Please note that this event is in-person only, and you can only attend one evening. To register your place, please email 25BR.Events@25bedfordrow.com specifying which evening you can attend and if you have any access requirements.
Recruitment Guide for Pupillage Applicants
The Pupillage Committee have compiled a guide to assist applicants for pupillage to both 25 Bedford Row and also more broadly. To access the Pupillage Recruitment Guide 2024, please click here.
Accessibility
At 25 Bedford Row, accessibility to Chambers is very important to us.
Chambers has a portable ramp, which has limitations for safety. Therefore, depending on the dimensions and weight of your wheelchair, we can accommodate your arrival to Chambers. If the dimensions and weight of your wheelchair are not suitable for our portable ramp, then we can rearrange your visit to Chambers to another location close by. We currently have arrangements with Chambers on the opposite side of Bedford Row who have improved wheelchair access because the entrance to their buildings are either level with the pavement or are lower than the buildings on our side.
The seminar room, which is used for meetings and presenting seminars is easy to access for wheelchairs, as it has a door which leads directly onto Theobalds Road with one set of three steps, which is suitable for the portable ramp.
Any advocacy training sessions which would normally be held in-house would be rearranged to meet the required needs.
Within a wholly criminal pupillage such as ours, a great deal of time (at least 80%) is spent at court, this is either with your pupil supervisor during 1st Six or representing clients once you are on your feet during 2nd Six.
There is a considerable amount of travel in a criminal pupillage and this is something which we can discuss and plan with you. Generally, pupils travel by public transport. However, legal aid, which funds the majority of the work for pupils, does provide mileage costs for those who need to use private transport. Travel costs for private cases are negotiated separately. Over 95% of criminal cases are conducted with the Crown Court Digital Case System which provides the necessary papers to Counsel via a secure web portal, so there is no need to attend Chambers to receive case papers.
Should you have any other specific access needs, please contact us in advance of your visit 72 hours beforehand so that we can discuss this with you and make any necessary arrangements.
