All About Law | Training Contracts | Vacation Schemes | Law School | Law Careers

• 2 Temple Gardens

• • General

  • Off the Record

  • Work Focus

  • What They Want

  • Pupillage

  • Rewards

  • Apply

  2 Temple Gardens (2TG) is one of the more well-known and respected common law and commercial sets based out of the Inner Temple. Established post World War II, the set has a sterling reputation for civil and criminal practice, moving gradually into focussing on personal injury, employment, negligence and commercial cases only.
  
  Today the set boasts of a first-class reputation in PI & clinical negligence. Other areas of growing expertise are to be found in public law, media & entertainment and property.

  The chamber has over 50 practising barristers and a strong clerk and administrative support team, offering quality services in multiple niche areas. A tough and rigorous selection process ensures that only the best of candidates get called for pupillage terms, the training year is equally intensive and vigorous.
  
  Pupils undertake a lot of shadowing during the first six, not only for their respective supervisors, but also for other members of chambers in whose work pupils might be interested in.
  
  The work atmosphere at 2TG is one of friendly cooperation and teamwork; every practice group coordinates well with other groups when matters may overlap several areas.
  
  The hours that pupils put in at work are quite reasonable, though there are chances that more time will need to be invested during the second six, when pupils are handling their own cases. However, clerks and supervisors work actively to ensure that no one is overburdened.

  2TG focuses on commercial and common law practice. The areas it is involved in include banking & finance, fraud, clinical negligence, employment, insurance, international projects, media & entertainment, personal injury, professional regulation & negligence, private international law, property, arbitration and ADR.

  A minimum of a 2:1 degree or higher is a must. Consistent high performance in academia is one of the criteria the chamber looks at – school, A-levels, degree and BVC performance will be scrutinised in detail. Other qualities required include high motivational levels, flexibility and mental agility, creative thought process and a consuming desire for success.
  
  You be able to show an active participation in extracurricular activities, and an interest and commitment to a career as a barrister, and specific a interest and knowledge of the work done at chambers.

  The chamber offers 2 – 3 pupillages each year, for a period of twelve months each. During the year, pupils will rotate between three pupil supervisors and can also assist other members of the chamber in their work.
  
  Three months each in the first six are spent with two supervisors and the second six with one supervisor. Practical work is supplemented by formal training sessions where advocacy exercises and practical drafting sessions are conducted.
  
  Regular reviews will keep pupils informed on their performance; all those who meet and exceed the chambers’ tenancy criteria will be offered tenancy. During the second six, all pupils will run their own caseloads under supervision and guidance of supervisors.
  
  Mini-pupillages are offered to those interested in learning about a future career at chambers, law students in their second year and upwards and non-law students doing their CPE course are eligible to attend.
  
  The programmes usually last for a week and cover the full range of work undertaken at chambers and allow trainees to carry out tasks that will provide a sample of life and work as a barrister.

  The total funding provided by 2TG is £ 45,000. Of this £ 35,000 is paid out as a maintenance grant, £ 10,000 of which can be drawn during the BVC year. The remaining £ 25,000 is paid out in equal instalments during the first six. The chamber makes a guarantee of minimum earnings of £ 10,000 during the second six.
  
  Some funded mini-pupillages are available; the funding will not exceed £ 250 per candidate. For other mini-pupils, reasonable expenses up to £ 50 will be reimbursed.

  Applications for pupillage should be made through the OLPAS summer scheme. Details and application forms are available at http://www.pupillages.com. A list of 40 candidates is selected from all applications received and these candidates are invited to attend an assessment day.
  
  This is comprised of various exercises which test teamwork, verbal and written communication skills. Fifteen of the best candidates from the first list are shortlisted for the second round of assessment – an interview and a legal problem which the candidate is required to study and discuss at the interview.
  
  Mini-pupillage application forms can be downloaded at the chambers’ website in the mini-pupillage section:http://www.2templegardens.co.uk/recruitment/mini_pupillage.php.
  
  Applications should be submitted by 30 November for winter training and by 15 April for the summer programmes. Those desirous of taking up a funded mini-pupillage should submit a copy of the application form with a reference.

Browse Firms
Please click on the links below to browse through the city firms.