With the help of former pupils and those who look after Pupillage applications here are the questions we get asked most along with their answers.
- Do you offer 1st and/or 2nd 6 month Pupillages?
- Do you offer non-standard Pupillages for those who only need to undertake a period less then 12 months or those who do not intend to practise in this jurisdiction?
- Do I need a first?
- Should I do mini-Pupillages?
- Should I do mini-Pupillage at Hardwicke Building?
- How many stages are there in the HB selection process?
- How would my Pupillage be structured?
- What sort of in-house training will I receive during my Pupillage at Hardwicke Building?
- What are the tenancy prospects at Hardwicke Building after Pupillage?
- What will I be doing on a day to day basis in my first six months of Pupillage?
- What will I be doing on a day to day basis in my second six?
- Will I have my own desk?
- Do I need to bring my own computer into Chambers?
- Can I bring my Mac?
Do you have a question that you would like to see answered here? Send your request to the editor@hardwicke.co.uk.
Do you offer 1st and/or 2nd 6 month Pupillages?
No - we only offer 12 month Pupillage. This gives us a sufficiently long period
to provide you with comprehensive training and gives you long enough to see
everything you want to see and to work on any areas you need to develop.
Do you offer non-standard Pupillages for those who only need to undertake
a period less then 12 months or those who do not intend to practise in this
jurisdiction?
Each year we review the position, consider the resources available and decide
whether to offer any (and if so how many) non-standard Pupillages
Do I need a first?
No, Chambers will consider any individual application on its merits. Our work
is intellectually demanding and it will obviously not help your application
if you have a poor degree result. Our application form is designed to allow
you to show us all of your abilities and strengths.
Should I do mini-Pupillages?
Yes. If possible you should do a few mini-Pupillages for a number of reasons.
In particular, mini-Pupillage will help with your understanding of the Bar
and different areas of practice. A greater understanding will assist you
in your decisions about where to apply and in your presentation of yourself
and your motivation.
Should I do mini-Pupillage at Hardwicke Building?
If you can. We assess our mini-pupils, so your time with us may well assist
your application. Given the range of work we cover at Hardwicke Building,
mini-Pupillage with us can give you the opportunity to experience a wide
variety of types of work in one week.
Whilst mini-Pupillages with us are assessed, this does not guarantee a twelve month Pupillage or an interview.
How many stages are there in the HB selection process?
First, your application form will be assessed by at least 2 members of Chambers.
A decision will be made as to whether or not to offer you a first interview
on the basis of those assessments. The first interview will usually be with
a panel of 3 or 4 members of Chambers and will last about 20 to 30 minutes.
Following the completion of the first round interviews the assessments and
recommendations of the interview panels will be reviewed. Second round interviews
will be offered on the basis of those assessments and recommendations. The
second round interview will require you to spend half a day with us, during
which time you will be interviewed and produce some written work having undertaken
some research in our extensive library.
How would my Pupillage be structured?
Our 12-month Pupillages are divided into four 3-month periods. During each
3-month period you will be allocated to a pupil master/mistress and 2 other
members of Chambers (assessors) for whom you must complete at least 3 pieces
of work. This means you will work with at least 10-12 members of Chambers
during your Pupillage, giving you the opportunity to experience a variety
of types of work and approaches to practice as well as becoming well known
by a significant number of members of Chambers.
What sort of in-house training will I receive during my Pupillage at Hardwicke
Building?
In addition to working individually with your various pupilmasters/mistresses
you will participate in a number of in-house training sessions which include
advocacy exercises. We operate a series of 6 sessions designed to prepare you
for work you will be undertaking in your 2nd 6 months including personal injury,
undefended possession proceedings, road traffic arbitration and family injunctions.
What are the tenancy prospects at Hardwicke Building after Pupillage?
Good. Hardwicke Building's recruitment policy includes a stated preference
for recruiting junior tenants from amongst its own pupils where possible.
When decisions have been made about the vacancies for junior tenancies Chambers
considers the potential internal candidates before deciding whether it needs
to advertise the vacancy.
What will I be doing on a day to day basis in my first six months of Pupillage?
To some extent that will depend on what types of work your pupil master/mistress
and assessors do, but all pupils can expect to spend a proportion of their
time in court (2-4 days per week on average) and attending conferences with
the pupil master/mistress or other members of Chambers. The rest of the week
would be spent doing written work in Chambers. You may be asked for example
to draft pleadings, plan cross examination, advise in writing on sets of
papers, undertake research or just read files to familiarize yourself with
a case. You will rarely find yourself in the library photocopying and not
for something you have no involvement in!
What will I be doing on a day to day basis in my second six?
There is plenty of junior work available at Hardwicke, but we try to limit
your days in court to 3 or maximum 4 per week and to spread work evenly between
pupils. The second six is viewed as a crucial part of your ongoing training,
and we want you to have the chance to discuss what you are doing with your
pupil master/mistress and have the chance to watch others once you are watching
through the eyes of a practitioner as well as having the time to continue
to develop your written skills. You can expect to do a mixture of junior
civil/family work mainly in the County Courts.
Will I have my own desk?
Wherever possible. Most regular pupilmasters/mistresses in Chambers have desks
or workstations available for their pupils. We consider it very important
for you to work in your pupilmasters/mistresses room so that you have the
opportunity to see as much of possible of their working lives including telephone
conferences etc.
Do I need to bring my own computer into Chambers?
Although Chambers has several PCs available for general use you are strongly
recommended to have a computer of your own. Chambers offers a wide variety
of different services through its computer network and you will benefit most
if you have a PC.
Can I bring my Mac?
We will try to accomodate your Mac however you will need a PC compatible computer
running Windows 2000 or higher to gain full access to all the Chambers computer
services. Chambers provides full time IT support to help and advise you on
any IT issues.
Do you have a question that you would like to see answered here? Send your request to the editor@hardwicke.co.uk.