pupillage

Cloisters is an approved training organisation for pupillage and offers two 12 month pupillages every year.  Paul Michell is our Head of Pupillage Training. 

We welcome applications from outstanding candidates of all backgrounds and academic disciplines.

Why should you apply to Cloisters?

Cloisters is renowned for its pioneering work as well as being down to earth and practical.  We are a supportive and nurturing set where everyone is given the opportunity to thrive and become the best in their field.

We see our role as educating, supporting and developing our pupils in line with Cloisters’ values which focus on commitment to excellence and delivering exceptional results for the people at the heart of our work.  We keep in mind the aims, philosophy and ethos of pupillage and its professional and educational values. 

Pupillage at Cloisters is split into four quarters, with a different supervisor for each one.  All members of chambers are encouraged to become supervisors once they meet the qualifying period of practice which ensures that we have a wide range of supervisors of different calls, practice areas and personalities.  In addition to working with and for supervisors, pupils are encouraged to do work for other members of chambers and to undertake pro bono work through FRU or law centres. 

Our pupils are expected to see all areas of our work during their pupillage, which is normally organised through a choice of supervisors.  Pupils are told who their supervisor will be shortly before each quarter begins.  That choice is informed in part by what pupils have seen and experienced during pupillage so that all relevant areas of the pupillage checklist are covered.  There is a formal appraisal at the end of each quarter, in addition to the feedback given throughout pupillage by supervisors.

The tenancy decision is based on a series of assessed tasks undertaken during the second six months (drafting, legal research, advocacy, interview) and feedback from supervisors, barristers the pupil has worked for, clients, opponents and clerks.  The tasks are assessed against objective criteria.   Each of the five areas are given roughly equal weight.  A minimum of 70% is required for a pupil to be recommended for tenancy.   If a pupil receives a mark of 80% or above they will be recommended for tenancy.  While this is a challenging process for pupils, we believe that this system provides a fair and objective assessment of their skills.  It means that we do not have a set number of tenancies to offer, the number we offer varies with the achievement of the individual pupils. 

How to apply

Cloisters will only accept applications for pupillage which are made through the Bar Council's Online Pupillage Application Scheme (OLPAS), now known as Pupillage Portal (PP). Application forms and further information, including full details of the PP timetable, may be obtained from the PP website.

We welcome applications from those coming late to the Bar, who may not be required to undertake the full pupillage requirement. Should you require any further information about making an application in such circumstances, please contact Alessandra Parasiliti-Mollica.

Cloisters does not offer unfunded or sponsored pupillages.

When to apply

The pupillage portal website will give a full timetable for 2011.  The system is normally open for applications during April. Cloisters operates a two-round interview process, which usually takes place in June and July. 

Funding

Cloisters offers two funded pupillages each year.  The pupillage award is currently £35,000, half of which is guaranteed earnings.  Pupils can also ask for an advance of up to £6,000.

Internship Programme and Open Evening

Cloisters offers twelve one week internship placements each year. All applicants must have completed at least their first year at university in any subject. The internships are currently unfunded (although this is currently subject to review), but we may pay travel costs in the event that an intern is asked to travel to court outside of London. The successful interns will be selected on the basis of the strength of their application forms which can be downloaded here. We also invite our interns and applicants who narrowly miss out on an internship to an Open Evening in February or March. This will consist of a series of talks on Cloisters, the Bar and the pupillage process followed by drinks and the opportunity to meet our barristers.

The 2011 internship programme is now closed. However, we welcome applications for our 2012 programme. The deadline for an internship in 2012 is 23rd November 2011. Any applications received after that date will be considered for an internship in 2013. Please click here for application form. Please press the Back button to return to this page after viewing/printing form.

Any queries should be directed to internships@cloisters.com .

Please note that completion of an internship or attendance at the Open Evening is not a condition of applying for pupillage at Cloisters.

Equal Opportunities

Cloisters is committed to equal opportunities and diversity in the workplace. We maintain our reputation by recruiting pupils with outstanding ability, imagination and energy. We are firmly committed to the Equality Code for the Bar.

Please return to this page for information about Pupillage as it will be regularly updated. If you have any specific queries not answered on this page, please contact Alessandra Parasiliti-Mollica.

Cloisters operates a Pupillage and Internship Policy and Procedure.