Pupillage

Keating Chambers is a leading commercial set specialising in construction and engineering, energy and natural resources, infrastructure and utilities, international arbitration, procurement, planning and environment, professional negligence, property and technology. Chambers is recognised as one of the leading construction sets in the UK and internationally and was named Chambers & Partners' Construction Set of the Year in 2026.

The work is dynamic and intellectually demanding. Although many cases involve contractual disputes, members also deal with issues involving tort, restitution, mistake and misrepresentation. Keating emphasises that no specialist knowledge of construction or engineering is required to apply for pupillage and no technical questions are asked as part of the recruitment process.

The Pupillage

Keating Chambers offers up to two 12-month pupillages each year, with a pupillage award of £90,000. Each pupil is allocated four supervisors during the year, giving pupils the opportunity to experience different types of work, levels of complexity and working styles across Chambers.

The pupillage is designed to provide comprehensive training in the core skills required for practice at Keating. Pupils work on challenging commercial disputes and receive support and training throughout the year as they develop their legal analysis, written advocacy, oral advocacy and ability to work effectively with others.

The Work

Keating's practice covers some of the largest and most complex construction and engineering disputes in the UK and internationally. Members act on disputes involving major infrastructure and development projects, as well as technology, energy and professional negligence matters.

The Chambers has been involved in disputes concerning major projects including airports, dams, power stations, ships, oil rigs and bridges, as well as projects such as Wembley Stadium, the Shard, the Gherkin, the Millennium Bridge, the London Eye and the Channel Tunnel. Members also act in international disputes involving projects across the Middle East, Far East, Africa and the Caribbean.

Pupillage therefore offers exposure to commercial disputes where strong legal analysis and careful handling of complex factual and contractual material are essential.

What Keating Looks For

Keating assesses candidates against four principal selection criteria:

Intellectual ability: The ability to analyse complex and substantial volumes of information quickly, identify relevant issues, apply legal rules accurately and think effectively under pressure.

Ability to work in teams: The ability to collaborate with others, develop shared goals, communicate effectively, delegate appropriately and recognise the skills and needs of other team members.

Written advocacy: The ability to present arguments clearly, accurately and succinctly, structure written work effectively and anticipate and address opposing arguments.

Oral advocacy: The ability to present a clear, relevant and structured argument, respond to interventions and maintain an effective position when challenged.

Application Process

Keating's pupillage recruitment process consists of five stages:

1. Application form via the Pupillage Gateway

Applications are anonymised before assessment. Candidates' names are removed, monitoring information is not available to assessors and the institutions listed in the education sections are also redacted.

2. Written case study

Candidates who progress from the application stage complete a written case study designed to assess the Chambers' selection criteria.

3. First interview

Shortlisted candidates proceed to a first interview, where their suitability is assessed against the same core criteria.

4. Second interview

Candidates who progress further are invited to a second interview.

5. Selection for pupillage

The final selection is made following assessment across the recruitment process. Keating regularly reviews its recruitment process and has made changes to improve accessibility and diversity.

Academic Background

Keating does not require applicants to have a particular academic background. Candidates without a law degree are welcome to apply, and Chambers confirms that a significant number of its current members studied a non-law subject at undergraduate level.

Members have also joined the Bar following previous careers in areas including engineering, strategy consultancy and advertising.

The absence of a construction or engineering background is therefore not a disadvantage in itself. Keating's selection process focuses on the skills and abilities identified in its published criteria rather than specialist technical knowledge.

International Work

International work is an important part of Keating's practice. Many members specialise in international arbitration, with hearings and projects taking place outside the UK, particularly in the Middle East, Far East, Africa and the Caribbean.

Pupillage therefore takes place within a Chambers whose work can extend well beyond domestic construction disputes and into major international commercial and infrastructure projects.

Diversity and Inclusion

Keating Chambers is committed to promoting and advancing diversity and inclusion throughout its recruitment process and wider work. Chambers describes its recruitment process as fair, transparent and inclusive and has reviewed its selection criteria and assessment process to improve diversity and accessibility.

Reasonable adjustments are available for candidates with disabilities at each stage of the recruitment process.

Pupillage Award

The current published pupillage award is £90,000 for the 12-month pupillage.

Keating also provides comprehensive training and support throughout the pupillage year, with four different supervisors giving each pupil exposure to a variety of work and approaches to practice.

Why Apply?

A pupillage at Keating Chambers offers the opportunity to train in a highly regarded commercial set working on complex disputes across construction, engineering, energy, infrastructure, technology and related areas.

The Chambers does not expect applicants to have specialist construction knowledge. Instead, the recruitment process places emphasis on intellectual ability, teamwork, written advocacy and oral advocacy. For candidates interested in intellectually demanding commercial litigation and international arbitration, Keating provides a strong environment in which to develop those skills.

How to Apply

Applications for pupillage at Keating Chambers are made through the Bar Council's Pupillage Gateway.

Candidates should consult Keating Chambers' current recruitment information for the applicable application timetable and requirements.