Pupillage

3 Verulam Buildings (3VB) is a leading London set specialising in commercial litigation, financial disputes, dispute resolution, international arbitration and public international law.

Its practice covers a broad range of areas within international commercial practice, including banking and financial services, commercial and contractual disputes, civil fraud, energy, cyber fraud and cryptocurrency, insolvency, insurance, international arbitration, IT and telecommunications, media, professional negligence and public international law.

3VB has a strong international focus and provides its barristers with opportunities to develop substantial commercial practices. Chambers currently has more than 100 members, including King's Counsel and junior barristers, supported by a substantial practice management and clerking team.

The Pupillage

3VB offers up to five pupillages each year, including standard 12-month pupillages, shorter intermediate pupillages for certain experienced practitioners transferring from solicitors' firms or the employed Bar, and deferred pupillages.

The standard pupillage is structured around four three-month seats with different pupil supervisors. This gives pupils exposure to a broad range of Chambers' work and allows them to work with barristers at different levels of seniority.

Pupils work directly with their supervisors and also undertake work for other members of Chambers. A shadow pupil supervisor, who is a more junior member of Chambers, provides access to smaller pieces of work similar to the work undertaken by barristers in the early years of practice.

The training is demanding but designed to be supportive. Pupils are expected to develop the ability to analyse complex commercial problems, conduct legal research, draft persuasive documents and develop effective advocacy.

Practical Legal Work

Pupils are exposed to genuine commercial and contentious work throughout the year.

Typical work can include:

• Drafting statements of case.

• Researching complex legal issues.

• Preparing written advices.

• Attending conferences with clients and solicitors.

• Attending trials and other court hearings.

• Assisting with commercial litigation and arbitration matters.

• Preparing legal submissions and applications.

• Working on matters involving international and cross-border issues.

Pupils work closely with their supervisors and observe how experienced commercial barristers approach legal problems, develop litigation strategy and present arguments in court.

Advocacy Training

Advocacy forms an important part of the 3VB pupillage programme.

Pupils undertake advocacy exercises, normally once each term, designed to develop their ability to present commercial applications and respond effectively to questioning.

The exercises are assessed by senior members of Chambers who are qualified advocacy trainers for their Inns. A moderator and pupil supervisors also attend the sessions, allowing pupils to receive detailed feedback on their performance.

During the second six months, pupils may undertake a limited amount of advocacy on their own account. This allows them to begin developing practical advocacy experience and generating earnings in addition to the pupillage award, without Chambers' expenses being deducted from those earnings.

3VB also ensures that pupils have adequate time to attend compulsory training courses provided by their Inns during the pupillage year.

Structure of the Year

Pupils normally spend three months with each of four pupil supervisors.

The structure is intended to provide exposure to a broad range of Chambers' work rather than restricting pupils to one particular area of commercial law.

Pupils also work with other members of Chambers during their pupillage. This is particularly important at 3VB because it allows pupils to experience different working styles and types of work while building relationships across the set.

Regular reviews take place throughout the year.

The three-month review considers the pupil's progress generally and provides an opportunity to identify and address any concerns.

The six-month review is particularly important. It provides a realistic assessment of the pupil's prospects of tenancy and gives the pupil time to address areas of weakness before the tenancy decision.

Tenancy

The tenancy decision is usually made in early July.

3VB does not operate a fixed quota limiting the number of pupils who can obtain tenancy. Its stated intention when offering pupillage is that every pupil who reaches the required standard should be offered tenancy.

Where a pupil is not offered tenancy, 3VB has a strong record of assisting pupils in finding opportunities at other leading chambers or solicitors' firms.

What 3VB Looks For

3VB's recruitment process is highly competitive. Chambers identifies the following characteristics as particularly important:

Intellectual and analytical ability: Candidates must be capable of understanding complex legal and commercial issues and developing structured solutions.

Written advocacy: Strong drafting and the ability to express complex arguments clearly and persuasively are essential.

Oral advocacy: Candidates must demonstrate the ability to think on their feet, respond to questions and present coherent arguments.

Determination: 3VB looks for candidates with the determination and commitment required to succeed at the competitive commercial Bar.

The aim of the recruitment and training process is to develop these qualities further during pupillage and the early years of tenancy.

Academic Requirements

3VB's assessed mini-pupillage information indicates that candidates should have, or expect to obtain, the qualifications required for full pupillage.

At a minimum, this generally means an upper second-class degree in an honours subject. The degree does not have to be in law.

Candidates should therefore be able to demonstrate strong academic ability alongside evidence of analytical ability, advocacy potential and commitment to commercial practice.

Application Process

3VB is a member of the Pupillage Gateway and standard 12-month pupillage applications must be submitted through the Gateway.

For the October 2028 intake, applications are made during January and February 2027. The Gateway allows candidates to browse the relevant vacancies from November 2026, with applications opening in January 2027.

First and second-round interviews usually take place during March and April.

Assessed Mini-Pupillage

An assessed mini-pupillage is an essential part of the 3VB selection process.

Applicants are normally required to have completed a two-day assessed mini-pupillage, or a virtual mini-pupillage lasting approximately one and a half days where necessary, before applying for full pupillage. Exceptional circumstances may be considered.

The mini-pupillage is designed to give candidates an opportunity to experience life at 3VB while allowing Chambers to assess their suitability for a career at the commercial Bar.

Mini-pupils sit with a barrister and observe and discuss aspects of the barrister's work. During part of the second day, they complete an assessed written exercise using legal materials provided by Chambers. The assessment does not require particular advance preparation.

The mini-pupillage therefore provides an important opportunity to demonstrate both written and oral skills before submitting a full pupillage application.

Pupillage Interviews

3VB receives approximately 150 to 200 applications for up to five pupillage places. Around 35 to 40 candidates are normally invited to first-round interviews, with approximately 15 progressing to the second round.

First-Round Interview

The first-round interview lasts approximately 15 minutes.

Candidates discuss matters arising from their CV and application and are asked a law-related question, such as a question concerning a recent appellate decision.

The exercise is designed to test the candidate's ability to think on their feet, analytical skills and oral advocacy. Candidates are notified in advance of the appellate decision that will form the basis of the legal question.

Second-Round Interview

Candidates invited to the second round attend Chambers approximately two hours before their interview.

They receive a legal problem and are given time to prepare submissions under controlled conditions.

The interview itself has two parts. Candidates first present their oral argument or opinion on the legal problem and answer questions from the panel. The second part considers the candidate's academic record and previous experience.

The second-round interview lasts approximately 30 minutes.

3VB usually aims to recruit five pupils through the Pupillage Gateway.

Pupillage Award

For pupillages commencing in 2028, 3VB offers a £90,000 pupillage award.

Up to £22,500 of the award can be drawn down during the 12 months before pupillage begins.

The advance payment can therefore assist successful candidates with the costs associated with preparing for and commencing pupillage.

Intermediate Pupillage

3VB also accepts applications from experienced practitioners who are transferring to the Bar.

Qualified solicitors and employed barristers who have obtained the necessary full exemption from the BSB's pupillage requirements may be considered for an intermediate pupillage.

The structure is individually agreed with the successful candidate and may involve a shorter period of training than the standard 12-month pupillage. It can also begin at a mutually agreed date rather than following the standard timetable.

3VB welcomes applications from practising solicitors and those completing training contracts. Solicitors transferring to the Bar may need to obtain a certificate of good standing from the SRA and secure the necessary permission from the BSB.

Third Six Pupillage

3VB does not usually offer third six or unfunded pupillages.

Candidates seeking a standard 12-month pupillage should therefore apply through the normal Pupillage Gateway process and complete the required assessed mini-pupillage.

Mini-Pupillage Opportunities

3VB's mini-pupillage programme is an important part of its recruitment process.

For the 2026/27 mini-pupillage cycle, 3VB offers both in-person and virtual assessed mini-pupillages. Virtual placements may be available where, for example, a candidate is based overseas.

Candidates generally need an upper second-class honours degree or expect to achieve one. Applicants are asked to submit a CV containing a full breakdown of university examination results, a covering letter and an equality and diversity monitoring form.

3VB reimburses reasonable travel expenses and, where necessary, overnight accommodation for in-person mini-pupils, subject to its requirements and prior approval. Expenses are not reimbursed for virtual mini-pupillages.

Diversity and Inclusion

3VB is committed to increasing inclusion, equality and diversity at the Bar and welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

The Chambers particularly encourages applications from women and other groups that are under-represented at the Bar.

Equality and diversity monitoring information collected as part of the mini-pupillage process is separated from the assessment process and handled confidentially.

Application Deadline

Applications for the 3VB Pupillage 2028 are made through the Pupillage Gateway during January and February 2027.

3VB's current pupillage information confirms that the Gateway submissions window for the 2028 intake opens in January 2027, with vacancies available to browse from November 2026.

The precise 2027 Pupillage Gateway closing date should be confirmed when the 2028 vacancies are published.