Ropewalk Chambers usual policy on mini-pupillages and shadowing/work experience is set out below.

At present, Ropewalk Chambers has temporarily re-located to Cumberland House. During this relocation, we regret that Chambers will not be in a position to offer any mini-pupillages or shadowing/work experience until further notice. In particular, we anticipate that these will be unavailable during the Christmas and Easter Holidays. We expect to be able to offer mini-pupillages and shadowing/work experience from May 2010 onwards/

We suggest that any applicant interested in a mini-pupillage or shadowing/work experience should wait until April 2010 before applying.

Mini-Pupillage

We do not accept applications for mini-pupillage by e-mail or telephone. All applications should be made in writing, enclosing an up-to-date cv and marking the envelope “Mini Pupillage Application”.

For many years now, demand for mini-pupillages at Ropewalk Chambers has far exceeded supply. A decision as to whether to offer you a mini-pupillage will be based on your written application, having regard to the criteria set out below. It is important therefore that you take particular care over the content and presentation of your written application. Please consider the criteria carefully before making your application.

It is not our usual policy to offer any individual applicant a second mini-pupillage here. You should therefore think carefully about the timing of your application. You need to be able to demonstrate intellectual ability, legal acumen and commitment. For this reason we prefer applicants to have completed at least one full year of a law degree or a significant part of a relevant conversion course.

Mini-pupillages form an important part of our recruitment process and we take them very seriously. We regard them not only as an opportunity for you to gain first-hand experience of life in Chambers but also as providing you with an opportunity to demonstrate your abilities and aptitude for a successful career at the Bar.

Offers of mini-pupillage are made subject to availability. If such an offer is made the onus will be upon you to make contact as set out in the letter of offer in order to arrange a commencement date. Due to the high demand for mini-pupillages it may not be possible to accommodate you on your preferred dates.

We expect you to be able to demonstrate commitment to a career at the independent Bar of England & Wales and to be seriously considering an application to Ropewalk Chambers for a full pupillage in due course. Detail as to the nature of Ropewalk Chambers and its work is set out elsewhere on this website and you should familiarise yourself with that before making an application for mini-pupillage.

We work hard to make mini-pupils feel welcome and included during their time in Chambers. Further, we endeavour to ensure that mini-pupils spend time with a number of barristers and experience a cross-section of the work being done here. You will have the opportunity to read and consider briefs and sets of instructions. Where possible, we will arrange for you to attend Court with a barrister and/or sit in on a Conference as well as spending time in Chambers. In return, we expect mini-pupils to present and conduct themselves in an appropriate and professional manner.

All mini-pupils are required to sign a confidentiality agreement before commencement of mini-pupillage.

Standard mini-pupillages at Ropewalk Chambers last for three days. However, in the unlikely event that during a mini-pupilllage a mini-pupil's behaviour or appearance appears to fall short of the standard reasonably to be expected or it transpires that a mini-pupil fails in a material way to meet the criteria stipulated in the mini-pupillage policy then we reserve the right to terminate the mini-pupillage forthwith.

Criteria for offer of mini-pupillage at Ropewalk Chambers

These criteria are important. Only in exceptional cases will offers be made to applicants who do not meet them.

• Applicants should have an excellent academic record and should have gained, or expect to gain, at least an upper second class degree.
• Undergraduate applicants should be reading law.
• Undergraduate applicants reading law must generally be in their second or third year.
• Postgraduate applicants whose first degree was not in law should be reading or have completed a law conversion course.
• Applicants should be committed to a career at the independent Bar of England and Wales and should be prepared to demonstrate that commitment.
• Applicants should be seriously considering an application to Ropewalk Chambers for a full pupillage in due course.
• Presentation of written application must meet a standard consistent with practice at the Bar and Ropewalk Chambers.

Shadowing / Work Experience (for school pupils)

Ropewalk Chambers does not offer “Work Experience” and does not have the facilities to comply with LEA schemes to provide “Work Experience”.

Individual members of Chambers may, in their discretion, agree to permit school pupils of ability in state or private sector education, who are interested in a career at the Bar, to “shadow” them for a short period with the purpose of providing an insight into practice as a barrister.

Such period will usually be of no more than one to three days duration.

Please note:

Shadowing involves a significant commitment on the part of Chambers’ administration and the barrister concerned.  For this reason it is only available to a limited number of students in any year.

• Shadowing is only available to students who intend to pursue a legal career and who demonstrate a real prospect that they will go on to obtain a place at university to read law.
• Students should take care over their application.  Because places are limited, the quality of the application and of the reference may be essential.
• Applications by e-mail or telephone for shadowing are not accepted and will not be responded to.
• Shadowing will rarely be suitable for students below the 6th Form.

Applications for shadowing must be made in writing to a member of Chambers and will be considered on merit.  Where the applicant is not already known to a member of Chambers, he or she should write to the Senior Clerk.  The application letter must identify the educational institution at which they are studying, their school year, subjects and relevant exam grades.  The letter should explain briefly why the school pupil would like to spend time in Chambers and must provide the name and address of a suitable referee (a teacher would be appropriate), who would be willing to provide a brief reference to Chambers, dealing with the student’s academic ability and potential, as well as his or her character, if requested.  Students must discuss this matter with and obtain the consent of their referee before writing to Chambers.