In 2018, Arden Chambers will only accept applications for pupillage submitted on its own form (click here for our form) for pupillage commencing September/October 2020. The deadline for applications is 4pm on 28 February 2018 and applications must have been received by that time in order to be considered.
Completed application forms should be emailed to (with the subject heading “Pupillage Application”).
Assessment process
All applications received are normally considered by three members of Chambers (at least two of whom are on the Pupillage Committee). The current selection process consists of the following:-
Round 1 – Paper applications
Application forms are considered, after which successful applicants are invited for an interview. We reserve the right to deduct marks from candidates who exceed the word count as stated within the application form or who give inaccurate word totals or, in serious cases, to disqualify such an applicant.
Round 2 – Interview 1
The first round interview usually lasts approximately 15 minutes. Applicants will be expected to perform an advocacy exercise, which will be provided to them 30 minutes before the interview: applicants should bring a pen and paper. The exercise will not require specialist legal knowledge.
Round 3 – Written work and time in Chambers
Applicants who are being considered for a second round interview may be asked to spend 2-3 days in Chambers and to complete a written exercise
Round 4 – Interview 2 and written work
Applicants who are invited to a second round interview will be given a legal problem and may be asked to prepare in advance (and hand in at the interview) a written answer (of no more than 1,000 words). This answer will be considered as part of the assessment process.
The second round interview usually lasts approximately 30 minutes. Applicants will be expected to discuss a legal problem, which will be provided to them 30 minutes before the interview (no indication as to the nature of the exercise will be provided prior to this): applicants should bring a pen and paper. The exercise will require legal knowledge but no more than that which is to be expected of applicants at this stage of their legal career, and not knowledge of Chambers’ specialist areas.
Offers of pupillage will be made directly to successful applicants. Offers are conditional on the applicant having passed the necessary vocational course and being able, in all respects, to take up the offer by the commencement date (unless, in advance, Chambers has agreed to defer the commencement of pupillage).