Pupillage

4 Pump Court is a leading commercial set based in Temple, London. Its barristers specialise in complex and high-value disputes involving technical, commercial and factual issues.

The Chambers has a particularly strong reputation in commercial litigation, construction and engineering, technology and telecommunications, shipping, insurance and reinsurance, professional negligence, energy, banking, international trade and sale of goods. Members regularly appear before the High Court, the Court of Appeal, arbitral tribunals and other courts and regulatory bodies in the UK and internationally.

The Chambers places particular emphasis on advocacy. Pupils are trained to become confident and effective advocates while developing the analytical, drafting and case-management skills required for a successful commercial practice.

The Pupillage

4 Pump Court offers two 12-month pupillages each year.

Pupils work with four pupil supervisors, spending approximately three months with each supervisor. The structure is designed to expose pupils to as many of Chambers' key practice areas as possible and to provide experience of different types of commercial disputes.

During the first six months, pupils work closely with their supervisors and learn the practical skills required of a commercial barrister. They accompany supervisors to court and conferences, undertake legal research and produce written work. Supervisors review the work and provide constructive feedback throughout the process.

The second six involves a significant increase in responsibility. Pupils continue to work with their supervisors while developing their own advocacy and advisory practice.

Real Legal Work

Pupils undertake genuine legal work from the beginning of their pupillage.

The work can include:

• Legal research on complex commercial and technical issues.

• Drafting opinions and written advice.

• Preparing pleadings and other court documents.

• Drafting written submissions.

• Assisting with commercial litigation.

• Attending court hearings.

• Attending conferences with clients and solicitors.

• Preparing cases for hearings, trials and arbitrations.

• Undertaking advocacy during the second six.

The Chambers places particular emphasis on ensuring that pupils gain significant advocacy experience. During the second six, pupils are regularly in court and can appear before District Judges and Circuit Judges in a variety of matters, including sale of goods and insurance disputes.

Second Six

The second six is designed to give pupils substantial practical advocacy experience.

Pupils develop their own varied advocacy and advisory practice while continuing to receive supervision. They can appear in court on their own cases and begin dealing directly with the practical demands of advocacy.

4 Pump Court guarantees pupils at least £10,000 of gross billing during the second six in addition to the pupillage award.

The opportunity to undertake regular court work is a particularly important part of the Chambers' approach to training. The objective is to develop pupils into confident advocates who are comfortable dealing with judges, opponents, solicitors and clients.

Formal Assessment

There are four formal assessments during pupillage.

These comprise:

• Two pieces of assessed written work.

• Two assessed advocacy exercises.

The assessments are conducted by members of Chambers other than the pupil's supervisors. This provides an independent element to the assessment process.

Pupils receive detailed feedback following each assessment, allowing them to identify strengths and areas requiring further development during the remainder of their pupillage.

Practice Areas

4 Pump Court provides pupils with exposure to a wide range of specialist commercial practices.

Commercial and Insurance

The commercial practice covers a broad range of disputes, including insurance and reinsurance, banking, international arbitration, commercial fraud, and the sale and carriage of goods.

Construction

4 Pump Court is one of the leading sets specialising in construction and engineering disputes. Members regularly appear in the Technology and Construction Court, as well as in domestic and international arbitrations, adjudications and mediations.

The work can involve major building and infrastructure projects, engineering disputes and energy and offshore construction.

Professional Negligence

Members act in professional negligence disputes involving a wide range of professionals, including solicitors, barristers, architects, engineers, surveyors, valuers, accountants, auditors, actuaries, brokers, consultants, agents, IT professionals, bankers and financial advisers.

Technology and Telecommunications

4 Pump Court has a leading technology disputes practice. Members are regularly instructed in disputes arising from major IT projects and technology contracts, representing both clients and contractors.

The work can involve complex technology projects, contractual disputes, software and systems issues and related commercial litigation.

Shipping

The Chambers has a substantial shipping practice covering litigation and arbitration, particularly disputes arising from shipbuilding and other shipping-related commercial transactions.

Energy and Infrastructure

4 Pump Court's broader commercial practice also includes disputes concerning energy and infrastructure projects.

Members act in matters involving offshore and onshore energy projects, solar, wind and nuclear projects, together with associated construction, engineering, contractual and commercial disputes.

This gives pupils the opportunity to encounter disputes involving technically complex projects and substantial commercial interests.

What 4 Pump Court Looks For

4 Pump Court seeks candidates who have the potential to become successful tenants and outstanding advocates.

The selection criteria include:

Academic achievement and intellectual ability: Candidates must demonstrate the intellectual capacity to understand demanding legal and factual issues.

Analytical skills: Candidates should be able to absorb complex information quickly, identify the essential issues and develop structured solutions.

Common sense and judgment: Chambers looks for candidates who can approach problems pragmatically and make sound decisions.

Written skills: Candidates should be able to produce clear, precise and accurate written work and present arguments persuasively in writing.

Advocacy and public speaking: Candidates should be able to communicate arguments clearly, persuasively and confidently.

Resilience and independence: Pupils need to work independently, seek guidance appropriately and remain composed when dealing with difficult or stressful situations.

Motivation and capacity for hard work: Candidates should demonstrate commitment to a career at the Bar, determination and an understanding of what practice in Chambers involves.

Impact and interpersonal skills: Barristers need to communicate effectively with judges, clients, solicitors, other barristers and clerks and develop productive professional relationships.

Integrity and professional standards: High ethical and professional standards are essential.

Mini-Pupillage

A mini-pupillage at 4 Pump Court is not a prerequisite for applying for pupillage and does not form part of the formal pupillage recruitment process.

However, Chambers recognises that mini-pupillage can help prospective applicants understand its work and decide whether it is the right environment for them.

4 Pump Court has redesigned its mini-pupillage programme around dedicated mini-pupillage days. These provide opportunities to spend time with junior barristers, receive feedback on an exercise, meet more senior members of Chambers and speak with clerks about pupillage and life as a junior barrister.

Chambers normally runs four mini-pupillage days each year, with up to 20 places available for each session. The July session is conducted remotely, allowing candidates who cannot conveniently attend London to participate.

Mini-pupillage applications are assessed against the same broad criteria used in pupillage recruitment. Chambers also covers reasonable domestic travel expenses for successful mini-pupils attending in person.

Diversity and Inclusion

4 Pump Court is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and aims to ensure that recruitment decisions are based on merit.

The Chambers provides Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training to its members, with pupils completing the training during pupillage.

4 Pump Court is also a founder supporter of the Charter for Black Talent in Finance and the Professions.

Reasonable adjustments can be made where required to enable candidates to participate fairly in the recruitment process.

Pupillage Award

The current pupillage package provides an £80,000 pupillage award.

Up to £25,000 can be advanced during the Bar Professional Training Course, providing financial support before the commencement of pupillage.

In addition, pupils undertaking their own court work during the second six are guaranteed at least £10,000 of gross billing.

The combination of the award, advance drawdown and second six earnings provides substantial financial support throughout the transition into practice.

Recruitment and Application Process

The 2028 pupillage recruitment process follows the annual Pupillage Gateway timetable.

Candidates can browse pupillage vacancies from 23 November 2026, with applications opening at 11:00am on 4 January 2027.

The Pupillage Gateway submission window closes at 11:59pm on 28 January 2027. Applications cannot be submitted or amended after the deadline.

4 Pump Court's current recruitment deadline is listed as 28 January 2027.

Candidates should ensure that they have completed all required academic and vocational Bar training before the advertised pupillage start date. The Pupillage Gateway requires applicants to be confident that they will have completed their training before commencing pupillage.

Application Preparation

Candidates should research 4 Pump Court carefully before applying and develop a clear understanding of the Chambers' practice.

Particular attention should be given to its specialist commercial work, including construction, technology, shipping, insurance, professional negligence and commercial disputes.

Applicants should also be prepared to demonstrate their analytical ability, written advocacy, oral advocacy, judgment, resilience and motivation for a career at the commercial Bar.

The application should provide evidence of the candidate's own abilities and experiences rather than relying on generic descriptions of commercial law or advocacy.

Career Development

The purpose of pupillage is to prepare successful candidates for practice as commercial barristers.

Junior tenants at 4 Pump Court can work closely with senior members of Chambers on substantial commercial disputes while developing their own practices and appearing independently in court.

The combination of major commercial litigation, regular advocacy and exposure to technically complex disputes provides junior barristers with an opportunity to develop both specialist legal expertise and practical courtroom skills.

Application Deadline

Applications for the 4 Pump Court Pupillage 2028 open through the Pupillage Gateway at:

11:00am on 4 January 2027

The application deadline is:

11:59pm on 28 January 2027

The Chambers is recruiting two pupils for the relevant intake.

How to Apply

Candidates interested in pupillage at 4 Pump Court should prepare their Pupillage Gateway application in advance and review the Chambers' practice areas, recruitment criteria and pupillage structure carefully.

Applications should be submitted through the Pupillage Gateway during the January 2027 application window.