Pupillage

39 Essex Chambers is offering up to four 12-month pupillages commencing in September 2028. The pupillage provides broad exposure to both public and private law, with each pupil working with four different supervisors across Public Law, Environment and Planning, Commercial and Construction, and Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence.

Pupillage Structure

Each pupil completes four successive seats during the 12-month pupillage. The seats are designed to provide experience across different areas of Chambers' practice and with different supervisors.

Pupils will spend time in:

Public Law
Environment and Planning
Commercial and Construction
Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence

Each seat lasts approximately two months. Pupils shadow their supervisors' work while also undertaking work under their direction. Work is marked by the supervisor and discussed with the pupil, with clear feedback provided at the midpoint and completion of each seat.

The structure allows pupils to develop experience across both public and private law, reflecting the breadth of 39 Essex Chambers' practice.

Work and Training

Pupils can expect to work across a wide range of legal matters during their seats. The work involves observing and assisting experienced barristers while undertaking substantive legal work under supervision.

39 Essex Chambers provides pupils with the IT equipment and support required for the pupillage year. The pupillage award is paid monthly to assist pupils with managing their finances.

Pupils are assessed against objective criteria throughout the year. Chambers does not assess pupils against one another in competition for tenancy. Each pupil's performance is considered individually, and clear feedback is provided throughout the pupillage.

Chambers makes its final tenancy decision based on the individual strengths of each pupil. 39 Essex Chambers reports a high conversion and retention rate from pupillage to tenancy.

Practice Areas

39 Essex Chambers has a broad practice covering both public and private law. Its areas of expertise include:

Administrative and Public Law
Commercial
Construction
Environment
Planning
Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury
Court of Protection and Medical Treatment
Healthcare
Regulatory and Disciplinary
Energy and Natural Resources
Information and Media
International Arbitration
Inquiries and Investigations
Property
Sports
Civil Liberties and Human Rights
Community Care and Mental Health
Employment
Immigration and Business Immigration
Public International Law
Procurement
Tax
Costs and Litigation Funding

The pupillage is structured to give candidates exposure to several of these areas rather than requiring them to specialise from the outset.

Pupillage Award

The pupillage award is £70,000, of which £5,000 is guaranteed earnings during the second six months.

The award is paid in equal instalments throughout the 12-month pupillage. During the second six months, when pupils are "on their feet", pupils may earn more than the £5,000 guaranteed earnings, potentially taking total income above £70,000. Chambers emphasises, however, that the focus during pupillage remains on training rather than earning.

Up to £15,000 of the award may be drawn down in advance during the year before pupillage begins, with corresponding reductions to instalments during the pupillage year. Chambers states that deferred pupillages are not normally offered but may be granted in exceptional circumstances.

Candidate Profile

39 Essex Chambers is looking for candidates who demonstrate the ability and potential to develop into successful barristers.

Candidates should have a strong interest in one or more areas in which Chambers specialises and should be able to demonstrate the intellectual ability, analytical skills and commitment required for a career at the Bar.

Chambers encourages candidates to gain an understanding of its practice and working environment before applying.

Mini-Pupillage

39 Essex Chambers encourages candidates applying for pupillage to undertake a mini-pupillage with Chambers before completing their Pupillage Gateway application.

A mini-pupillage provides candidates with an opportunity to experience Chambers' work and working environment first-hand. Chambers considers the pupillage application process to be a two-way learning experience, allowing candidates to assess whether Chambers is right for them as well as allowing Chambers to assess candidates.

However, completing a mini-pupillage is not a requirement for applying for pupillage. Chambers will consider applications from candidates who have not undertaken a mini-pupillage and states that such candidates will not be discriminated against.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

39 Essex Chambers is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates from groups that are underrepresented in the legal profession.

Chambers particularly encourages applications from people of the global majority, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, women and candidates from other underrepresented groups.

Chambers describes its culture as open and supportive and states that employment decisions are based on merit, job requirements and business needs. Chambers is fully accessible and reasonable adjustments can be made during the recruitment process.

Application Process

39 Essex Chambers is a member of the Pupillage Gateway.

Applications for pupillage commencing in September 2028 will commence in January 2027. The precise Pupillage Gateway application dates for the 2028 intake are currently to be confirmed.

The published timetable for the previous recruitment cycle indicates that applications open in early January, the Gateway closes in late January, first-round interviews take place in March, second-round interviews take place in April and offers are made in early May. The dates for 2027 have yet to be published by the Bar Council.

Applicants should apply through the Pupillage Gateway when the application window opens and should check the 39 Essex Chambers website and Pupillage Gateway for the confirmed dates.

Queries about pupillage can be directed to pupillage@39essex.com.

About 39 Essex Chambers

39 Essex Chambers is a leading barristers' chambers with offices in London, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai. Chambers acts for clients in the UK and internationally and has a substantial practice covering public and private law.

The Chambers has 56 KCs, including 17 female KCs, and more than 30 barristers on the Attorney General's panel of counsel. Its broad practice and international reach provide pupils with exposure to a wide range of legal work and professional environments.