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• 3-4 South Square

• • General

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  • Pupillage

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  This is a set specialising in commercial and business law with a sterling reputation in corporate insolvency, transcending jurisdictions, civil & criminal fraud and EU laws. Some of the recent matters in which the set has actively participated include Maxwell, Olympia & York and Global Crossing.
  
  The set also has a thriving international practice in places such as Bermuda, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong, Singapore, Jersey, Paris, Geneva, Stockholm and the US.

  Aspiring barristers who want to pursue a career at South Square should gain mastery over the Insolvency Act and the Company Act as these dominate much of the work it attracts. This is a place for intensive and interesting work. Pupils can expect to be stretched to their full capacity and then some more.
  
  Though pupils are encouraged to stick to a regular 9 – 6 routine, 12-hour days or longer are not rare. The chamber’s work philosophy revolves around business pragmatism, honesty and integrity and the ability to dive deep into the heart of complex issues and come up with simple and workable solutions.
  
  Yet, it is not all work at South Square, pupils are encouraged to meet and interact with as many members as possible; there is a lot of networking and socialising done at the junior levels. At more senior levels, the relationship is one of guidance and support.
  
  The fundamental ethos running through the entire chamber is that one is left alone to decide how much work to take on, how to complete it in time and do so well. Should you require assistance, you just need to give a shout.

  The core of South Square’s practice is built around insolvency, banking & financial services, company & business law, commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation. The insolvency practice covers the full range of domestic and international corporate insolvencies.
  
  The work undertaken includes administration orders, creditor arrangements, corporation & individual voluntary agreements, cross-border insolvency, liquidations & personal bankruptcies, partnership insolvencies, receiverships, fraudulent and undervalued transactions.
  
  Company & business law covers directors’ duties & disputes, M&A, partnership disputes, restructuring, shareholder disputes and stock exchange matters. Litigation covers professional negligence, contractual breaches, fraudulent actions, international trade, and enforcement of judgements, insurance, sale and movement of goods, tax matters and disciplinary & other proceedings.

  A high 2:1 degree in any discipline is the minimum educational qualification required to be eligible for pupillage. Other desirable qualities include a strong commitment and interest in a career as a barrister at 3-4 South Square.
  
  The set looks for individuals with outstanding intellectual abilities, with a quick and flexible brain to assess any situation or problem, strip it down to the basics and then build up a coherent, logical and brief argument in favour or against the issue at hand.
  
  Excellent communication and negotiation skills, sound commercial awareness and an aptitude for advocacy are also crucial. Other important qualities are confidence, enthusiasm, strong oral and written advocacy capabilities and flexibility to blend and work as part of a team with common goals.

  During the pupillage year, pupils sit with several supervisors for a period of 6 – 8 weeks each and are involved in every aspect of the supervisor’s caseload. Feedback is continuously provided and at the end of the first six a formal appraisal raises the likelihood of gaining a tenancy.
  
  Most of the work involved sees pupils spend lots of time in chambers; there is not much call for advocacy work given the nature of practice. Activities include lots of research, drafting of opinions and statements and providing advisory assistance.
  The funded mini-pupillages are assessed and last for a period of one week each.
  
  Mini-pupils will be assigned to shadow senior members of the chamber and undertake a written problem which is appraised for the pupil’s chances at securing a full pupillage. Unfunded mini-pupillages are conducted for two days and are open to students in their second or third year of study.

  The chamber provides an annual award of £40,000 payable during the pupillage year. An amount up to £12,500 can be disbursed during the Bar Vocational Course training. Candidates undertaking funded mini-pupillages are paid an amount of £ 500 for the week-long programme.

  The chamber does not subscribe to OLPAS and there is no pre-formatted application form prescribed. Interested candidates should send their detailed CV with a covering letter and details of two references, one reference must be from an academic background.
  
  The last date for submission of applications is 31 January and interviews will be conducted during February. Ten funded mini-pupillages are offered each year in different phases. For sessions between November and January, applications must be sent in by 17 October; for sessions conducted between April and October, the deadline for applications is 20 February.
  
  The chamber also offers unfunded mini-pupillages throughout the year, excluding court vacation periods. Each session lasts for two days and students in their second and final years of study are eligible to apply. Applications should be submitted by 19 September for sessions conducted during October – December; by 1 December for sessions during January – March and by 1 March for sessions during April – July.

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