Structure of Pupillage

Pupillage at Hardwicke is split into four periods of three months. During each period you will be assigned a pupil supervisor and also two ‘wingers’, members of Chambers for whom you will do a set number of pieces of work.

Pupil Supervisors and wingers are selected by the pupillage committee, who will take in to account your views about the areas of practice in which you are interested as far as possible. We also encourage you to see a broad range of work and you will obviously have the opportunity to work for other members of Chambers during the year.

Feedback is a continual process in our system and you will receive feedback from your supervisors, wingers and other members. In addition, we arrange a formal feedback session at the end of every three-month period where we can review your progress and make sure that you have the support you need.

Your first six will be spent with your first two pupil supervisors, assisting with their paperwork and accompanying them to court and conferences. We ensure that you will be placed in your pupil supervisors’ room so that you are immersed in their practice from the start.

Training is a core part of our process; throughout your first six we run a series of advocacy exercises to which all members of chambers contribute; junior members of chambers also give presentations about the kind of work you may find yourself doing in the second six.

Your second six will be split between your own work and working for your pupil supervisors and wingers. It is a challenging but rewarding period. You can expect to be in court regularly; at least once or twice a week and sometimes more. All of our members understand that this can be a stressful period and there is always someone on-hand to help you and deal with those last-minute questions.

Key Dates

Before you start pupillage we will invite you into chambers for an informal evening so we can give you a tour of the building and get to know each other and so that we can (hopefully) introduce you to you pupil supervisor.

When you start you will be welcomed and introduced to members of chambers staff. You will have a building induction and our IT staff will help you to set up your computer in your pupil supervisor’s room.

During your first three months you will settle in with your pupil supervisor and get used to being a pupil. We will also start your internal advocacy training towards the end of your first three months. This is usually a mock trial.

During your second three months having had your first formal feedback meeting, you will move to your second supervisor and we will step up your advocacy training. There are a number of sessions to cover before you are on your feet.

During your second six you will be doing your own work but assessments and feedback will continue as before.

We aim to tell you whether we have vacancies for tenancy by July. If vacancies are declared, you will be invited to apply.

If it doesn’t work out we will do all we can to help you find a third six or a position elsewhere. We have helped our pupils to go on to become tenants in other sets of Chambers or to become solicitors in top firms.