Pupillage | 2-3 Gray's Inn Square

• 2-3 Gray’s Inn Square

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  2 -3 Gray’s Inn Square is one of the oldest and well-established legal chambers in the UK, with over 50 practising tenants and some of the most admired and well-known barristers in the land.
  
  Beginning with a focus on criminal litigation where it has often made headlines, the set has now built up an enviable practice in planning, local authorities, housing & development and immigration law.

  The set is considered one of the most open and friendly chambers to work with a strong emphasis on continued education and training, seamless cooperation among members and an open door policy.
  
  It is undoubtedly an excellent launching pad for upcoming advocates. Despite having a reputation as an old, conservative and traditional chambers, informality and flexibility is the order of the day at Gray’s Inn Square.
  
  Assessment and offer of tenancies at GIS does not follow a rigid pre-set pattern. While formal assessments are conducted at the end of each six, with feedback forms and completed checklists collected as a more formal training record, the set usually gives time and room for development to pupils, even offering a third six before making a final decision on tenancy or rejection for the pupil.
  
  During the pupillage, work hours are pretty reasonable, but might go up significantly during the second six when court attendance begins in earnest. Pupil supervisors are continuously on hand to ensure that pupils are not overloaded with assignments, and to make certain that all pupils attend the compulsory training programmes, client events and social gatherings as and when held.

  2 -3 Gray’s Inn Square has built up expertise in the following areas of litigation: civil, property, housing, public law & judicial review, employment, environment, immigration & asylum, licensing, planning & local government, regulatory offences, criminal law, corporate manslaughter and health & safety.
  
  GIS has a thriving practice in planning & local government, representing over 300 local bodies, and along with housing, health & safety, forms the bulk of its practice. Civil litigation covers all commercial matters, negligence claims, breach of regulations, etc.

  Shortlisted candidates attend an interview conducted by a panel of members from the pupillage committee; selected candidates will sign a pupillage contract on accepting an offer from chambers. GIS offers two pupillages each year, for a period of twelve months for the first and second sixes.
  
  The chambers look for pupils who have received at least a 2:1 degree. Competition to enter any chambers is very stiff; it helps if you have an outstanding academic record through school and university.
  
  It is also recommended that you do as many mini-pupillages as possible; previous work experience on a CV can aptly demonstrate the interest and commitment needed for a career at the Bar. Extracurricular activities in debating, public speaking and mooting competitions will add much weight to your application.

  The pupillage year at Gray's Inn Square is split into 3 terms, each of four months’ duration. Pupils are assigned a Pupil Supervisor with whom the pupil shares workspace and assists in the supervisor’s case load or other activities.
  
  Bar Council checklists which ensure that a comprehensive training is conducted are made based on a pupil’s preference and the work area the supervisor practices in. At Gray's Inn Square the options are available from common law, planning & local government and administrative law.
  
  Additional advocacy training sessions are conducted at chambers throughout the training year, where pupils appear against junior barristers or other pupils in mock trials.
  
  The second six of pupillage has pupils attending court frequently; managing their own small cases or assisting supervisors or other barristers from chambers on their cases. You will also be encouraged to take on pro bono or legal aid funded projects during the training period.
  
  Assessments and feedback are provided through the entire period with a formal exercise completed at the end of the second six. This will normally be used to determine whether the pupil is offered a tenancy or needs further training, if otherwise talented and promising.

  An annual grant of an amount up to £ 25,000 is paid during the pupillage in ten equal instalments. The grant includes conveyance costs, and if the pupil needs to undertake travel outside of the city on chamber’s business, such extra expenses will be reimbursed.
  
  Any income earned by the pupil during the second six is paid without any deductions made by chambers. The chambers may reimburse or fund pupils for any Bar Council-prescribed compulsory training schemes, purely at chambers’ discretion. Pupils are allowed ten days leave during each six, inclusive of public and chambers’ holidays.

  On-line applications are available through the Online Pupillage Application System at: http://www.pupillages.com. Completed applications should be submitted by no later than 2 May, and the Chambers will respond with offers to selected candidates by 31 July.
  
  Offers should be accepted or declined within 14 days of the date of receipt of offer. Candidates exempt from OLPAS on account of any disability should apply directly to the chambers with a detailed CV and covering letter.
  
  The covering letter should state clearly the reason of exemption to applying through the Pupillage Portal, and an approving confirmation from the Bar Council. The email for forwarding non-Pupillage Portal applications is: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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