Questions & AnswersFull details of the number and nature of the pupillages we offer has been set out on a question and answer basis. Either scroll down to read through the entire text or, alternatively, click on to one of the following questions for more specific navigation.
What are your deadlines? What are your deadlines?Applications must be received by 15th October for pupillages commencing September the following year. Applications for 12 months pupillages should be by letter and by completing the application form. Those who apply prior to completing the B.V.C. may well receive more favourable consideration if they have conducted a mini-pupillage with Walnut House. How many pupillages do you offer?Our application form can be obtained online or on request from the pupillage secretary, Miss. V. Andrews: please send your completed form with a covering letter marked for her attention. Upon receipt of an application form the Committee will consider whether the applicant is of appropriate ability and character to be considered for pupillage. The decision whether or not to invite the applicant for interview will be communicated promptly by letter. An Ethnic Minorities questionnaire will be provided with the application form for completion on a voluntary basis. We retain copies of all applications and correspondence in accordance with Bar Council regulations. Do you give an award during pupillage?Successful applicants for pupillage will, save in exceptional circumstances, be offered an award of £20000 for the twelve months payable monthly in arrears. During the second six months fees received by the pupil will be set against monthly payments due under the award. Our recent experience is that in the second six our pupils will in fact receive more by way of fees than the amount due under the award. Do you take unfunded pupils?We have not done so recently as Chambers is committed to selecting the best candidates and, irrespective of their personal circumstances, providing each pupil with a pupillage award. However, we do not rule out the possibility in certain individual circumstances. Why is Walnut House not part of the O.L.P.A.S. scheme?We came out of the scheme as we concluded that we were missing the best applicants due to its constraints. We do not feel that the scheme works for a Chambers in our location and of our size. How do I apply?Our application form can be obtained online or on request from the pupillage secretary, Miss. V. Andrews: please send your completed form with a covering letter marked for her attention. Upon receipt of an application form the Committee will consider whether the applicant is of appropriate ability and character to be considered for pupillage. The decision whether or not to invite the applicant for interview will be communicated promptly by letter. An Ethnic Minorities questionnaire will be provided with the application form for completion on a voluntary basis. We retain copies of all applications and correspondence in accordance with Bar Council regulations What are you looking for in potential pupils?Chambers looks for intelligent individuals who are genuinely interested in a practice in the West Country. They must be highly motivated, ready to learn, possessed of good judgment and be of the highest ethical and professional calibre. They must be sympathetic to the particular characteristics of people in this part of the country and able to deal with all types of people regardless of age, sex, colour, religion, disability or social standing. The successful applicant will be one with whom we feel all members of Chambers will get on and who we feel will be an asset to Chambers and continue our reputation as a high quality set of Chambers. Ultimately, we are looking for a future tenant. What criteria do you use for selecting pupils for interview?In assessing the application forms we are primarily looking for evidence of intellectual ability, motivation, commitment and personality. Intellectual ability is assessed in most cases on academic qualifications supported by research, experience or publications which demonstrate knowledge and use of intellect. Motivation, or determination to succeed, may be demonstrated through academic, professional, sports or other achievement, through overcoming obstacles or difficulties or through travel and work experience (both connected and unconnected with a career at the Bar). We are particularly interested in genuine West Country connections and we recommend that our potential applicants undertake mini-pupillages with us or with other West Country sets to gain the feel of a practice here. We will maintain a record of all mini pupils so that should they later apply for full pupillage we can recall them and our impression of them during mini-pupillage. How is the interview conducted and assessed?Interviews are usually conducted by at least three members of the pupillage committee, of whom at least one will be a senior member of Chambers. They are scheduled for approximately 45 minutes. Each interviewer will complete a standard form of assessment, copies of which are kept in our records. The members of the committee are: Andrew Eaton Hart, Andrew Oldland, Corrine Searle, Simon Laws, Mary McCarthy, David Evans and Lara Spencer The interview has a standard format: 1. Review of application form. 2. Why Walnut House? 3. Why West Country Bar? 4. Areas of legal interest. 5. Jury test. (testing ability for clarity of thought and expression) 6. Legal issue (no right or wrong answer but designed to test applicant's ability to advance and maintain an argument) 7. Any questions.
The committee then discuss the applicant's performance and decide whether to offer a pupillage, a further interview or to reject. Any second interview will normally be conducted by a different panel. We do not pay travel expenses of first interview but will meet the reasonable costs of second interview. Where references are taken up, the referee will only be asked for information relating to our selection criteria. Once a decision has been made the applicant will be notified in writing and, if successful, provided with a copy of the pupillage structure. We will report to and complete returns for the Bar Council as required. Equal OpportunitiesWe operate an Equal Opportunities policy in that: We do not discriminate against any applicant for pupillage or tenancy on the grounds of age, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, religion or political persuasion. We have no upper age limit for applicants nor any minimum academic requirements nor do we favour one university over another or pay particular attention to results prior to degree. Any racial or sexual harassment complaints will be dealt with by Corinne Searle and/or Andrew Eaton Hart as appropriate who will be available to advise the complainant as to their options with regard to the Professional Conduct Committee, the County Court or the Industrial Tribunal, or in extreme cases the Police. It is hoped that the above officers will be able satisfactorily to resolve any complaint informally. Records will be kept of any complaint. We emphasise that in our chambers no such incident has ever been alleged. In addition any potential complainant will be informed of the confidential telephone line to the Equal Opportunities Officer. How is the pupillage structured ?First Six Months:The policy of chambers is to ensure that each pupil receives proper training within each of the three main Teams in chambers, namely the Criminal Team, Civil Team and Family Team. Pupils will therefore spend blocks of time within each Team during the first six months of their pupillage. The allocation of a named Pupil Supervisor is made and communicated to the pupil in the period leading to the start of their pupillage. Pupil supervisors in each team will ensure that the pupil completes the training set out in the approved Bar Council Checklists. Second Six Months:We expect pupils in their second six months to attend Court on their own account and to obtain valuable and extensive experience of conducting their own advocacy. The Court work undertaken by second six month pupils will include work in criminal, family and civil law. Pupils remain under the supervision of their Pupil Supervisor during their second six and will be supported and assisted in the preparation of their own court appearances. Pupils are expected to make their own travel arrangements to Courts across the Western Circuit and beyond. Mini-pupillageChambers provide 1 week mini-pupillages to under-graduates and graduates. Due to the nature of our work, it is our policy not to offer work experience placements to school-children. Places for mini-pupillages are limited and are allocated on a first-come first-served basis. It is our policy to offer mini-pupillages to those who demonstrate both a genuine interest in a career at the Bar and a real potential to be a successful candidate for pupillage. Chambers is committed to maintaining strong links with local Universities and Colleges and applications from those with a local connection are actively encouraged. Please apply by letter or email addressed to the pupillage secretary and enclosing or attaching a copy of your CV. It is important that you set out the dates between which you would be available. We will notify successful applicants by letter and provide you with a written Guide For Mini-pupils which we require you to sign and return to us prior to the start of your mini-pupillage. The Guide sets out further important information on mini-pupillages.
Mini-pupils will be assessed during their mini-pupillage and this may be used to assist us in relation to any subsequent application for a full pupillage.
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