Pupillage / Mini Pupillage

First Six

Pupils at 2 Bedford Row have the opportunity to work on high profile cases with some of the leading criminal practitioners in the country. Pupils spend their first six in the company of their pupil supervisor; usually attending Court every day. They will also assist other members of Chambers so that they are exposed to as many different areas of Chambers’ expertise as possible.

Second & Third Sixes

During their 12 months ‘on their feet’, pupils appear on a daily basis in the Magistrates’, Crown and Youth Courts in a wide variety of criminal matters.

Tenancy

We aim to recruit tenants from our own pool of pupils. Those who have not been successful have almost invariably found a tenancy in good chambers elsewhere.

Pupillage Applications

Applications for pupillage commencing September 2023 have now closed.

Applications and Interviews:

Applications should be made through the Pupillage Gateway. Following the Gateway timetable, applications for pupillage commencing in September 2024 will open in January 2023.

Chambers looks to recruit pupils who display the following qualities:

• Commitment to criminal law
• Sound academic background
• Persuasiveness in both written and oral argument
• Passion and flair for advocacy

In selecting our pupils, 2 Bedford Row has a two stage interviewing process. The first round interview is a 10 – 15 minute informal interview conducted by a small panel of tenants. This interview aims to get to know you better and questions are generally based on your application form plus a timed exercise.

If invited for a second round interview, the candidate will be given an advocacy exercise to perform, such as a plea in mitigation. This will be followed by a more rigorous and demanding 15-20 minute interview, conducted by a larger panel of tenants.

Due to the high numbers of applications received, we regret we are unable to provide feedback. If you have any queries regarding the process, please contact the Lisa Pavlovsky, Chambers Manager.

Mini Pupillage

Our mini pupillage programme has been on hold due to the pandemic.  We recently restarted the programme for those applicants who had been offered a placement prior to the pandemic but unable to complete it.  Our applications remain closed while we clear the backlog of successful applicants. 

If you wish to apply for mini pupillage: Please do not submit an application now. It will not be considered. A link to the application form will appear on this page when applications reopen later this year.

If you were previously offered a mini pupillage but have not completed your placement: You should have received an email from us on 12 April 2022. If you did not receive this email please contact mini-pupillages@2bedfordrow.co.uk.

Information about the scheme: 

We offer mini pupillages of one week duration but are flexible as to when you can conduct your mini-pupillage. We encourage applications from students who are in their second or third year at University; postgraduates; and to those who are considering applying to us for pupillage in the next recruitment cycle.

Assessment for mini-pupillage will be based upon three criteria:

• Commitment/dedication to the criminal bar
• Insight into the areas of practice within chambers
• Advocacy

To apply, please fill in the following form:  [Applications currently closed, please continue to check this page] 

All correspondence concerning mini-pupillages should be sent to mini-pupillages@2bedfordrow.co.uk.

Due to the confidential nature of our work and restrictions at some courts, we are unable to offer mini-pupillages to anyone under the age of 18.