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Criminal Pupillage - 2026

This year we are pleased to be offering three 12-month pupillages via the Pupillage Gateway.

• We are offering one crime pupillage commencing in April 2026, and two criminal pupillages commencing in October 2026.
• Our criminal pupils will access a varied training programme, with an opportunity to be supervised by members across our core areas of: crime, extradition, proceeds of crime & asset forfeiture and with some access to our professional discipline work.
• If you would like to be considered for both the April and October pupillages, you will need to apply separately on the Pupillage Gateway to be considered for both start dates.

Family Pupillage

• We are not recruiting for a family pupil in this current gateway window (now open: 25 November 2024).  
• We plan to recruit for a family pupil to commence in 2026 and 2027 in line with the 2026 Pupillage Gateway process. (one pupil in 2026 and one pupil in 2027 recruited in the same gateway process) 

Financial Award:

• Our pupillage award will be £45,000, which is made up of a grant of £25,000 in the first six months and a guaranteed income of £20,000 in the second six months. We would expect income to exceed £20,000 across the second six period.
• Successful pupils can apply to ‘draw down’ a proportion of the grant to assist with their Bar Course or other pupillage-related costs.

Timetable:

• Monday 25 November 2024, 12:01 (am) - Publication of advertisements: Applicants may access the Pupillage Gateway to browse vacancies.
• Thursday 02 January 2025, 12:01 (am) Applications open: the submissions window for applications opens and applicants can start, edit, and submit their applications.
• Thursday 06 February 2025, 11:59 (pm) - Applications close: the submissions window for applications closes and no further applications or amendments to applications are allowed.
• Friday 09 May 2025, 09:30 (am) - Offers made: AETOs will make offers either through the Gateway system, by phone, or by email. All offers will be made on the same day at the same time.
• Friday 16 May 2025, 09:30 (am) - Deadline for accepting initial offers: All applicants have a 7-day deadline to communicate acceptance of an offer (if any). Applicants will be able to accept an offer anytime up to the deadline. 

The following booklet and open evening will help to inform your application to 5SAH, should you wish to apply to us for pupillage:

• 5SAH Virtual Pupillage Open Evening | 2024.
• 5SAH Pupillage Booklet.

Our Ethos

5SAH ethos is one of inclusivity. We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from barristers from all backgrounds. We run a fair selection process that aims to recruit bright candidates who also demonstrate flair and personality. We recruit on merit and ability. All applicants receive the same equal treatment, regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, gender, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and background. 

We encourage and welcome applications from women, Black, Asian, minority ethnic individuals, barristers with neurodivergent conditions, disabled people, and those who are LGBTQ+, as well as applicants from other underrepresented groups or backgrounds.

Please get in touch with us if you need reasonable adjustments in relation to disability, neurodiversity, or other needs or personal matters that may not be visible.

You can also follow us on Twitter @5SAHLaw, Linkedin, and YouTube for further updates on when we are recruiting. 

Extradition Recruitment

Tenancy

Structured into dedicated practice teams, our strategy is based upon expertise, advocacy, service, cohesion, and ambition. Supported by outstanding management, clerking, marketing and fee teams. 

• We always welcome applications from candidates with strong and sustainable practices in all of our core specialist areas. 

5SAH ethos is one of inclusivity we celebrate diversity and encourage applications from barristers from all backgrounds. All applicants receive the same equal treatment, regardless of your race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, gender, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief and background. 

We encourage and welcome applications from women, Black, Asian, minority ethnic individuals, disabled people and those who are LGBTQ+, as well as applicants from other underrepresented groups or backgrounds.

Please get in touch with us if you need reasonable adjustments in relation to disability or other personal matters that may not be visible.

3rd Six Pupil/Probationary Tenant

Applications or expressions of interest are invited for a third-six pupil/probationary tenant ('third-six pupil).*  

5 St Andrews Hill (5SAH) is one of the leading sets in crime, extradition, asset forfeiture, and professional discipline. If you are soon to complete pupillage or have completed pupillage, and considering your next steps, we are seeking a third-six pupil with an interest in developing a practice in these core areas.

• Our crime team is our busiest, with significant growth in defence instructions. 3rd Six pupils will appear regularly in the crown court, prosecuting and defending (including trials).
• Our extradition team deals with European cases under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement as well as those relating to all other international jurisdictions, including the removal of INTERPOL Red Notices. We appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and in appeals to the Divisional and Administrative Courts, The Supreme Court, and the European Court of Human Rights.
• Our asset recovery, forfeiture, and confiscation team has specialised within these areas for many years and are routinely instructed in proceedings in both criminal and civil proceedings.
• Our professional discipline & regulatory team has extensive experience of disciplinary proceedings for individuals, regulated individuals, regulatory bodies and defence organisations in a wide range of fitness to practise proceedings. We have outstanding advocacy experience and often utilise our knowledge from other practice areas.

Mentoring and training are provided across all areas (including monthly advocacy training sessions, where attendance is compulsory).  This ensures that you are fully supported in unfamiliar areas.

We have an excellent track record of recruiting full tenants from external pupil applicants. We can also offer a guaranteed earnings package. The third-six pupillage will run from the commencement date until tenancy decisions. Applications can be made from the completion of six months in chambers (or such other date as may be agreed).

We are an equal opportunities set, committed to equality and diversity. We encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion or disability.

To apply, please send your CV together with a covering letter, specifying the names of two referees, to Dave Scothern at dscothern@5sah.co.uk or Serena Mignott at serenamignott@5sah.co.uk

All applications will be treated in strict confidence. If you would like to have a confidential discussion with Dave Scothern, Chambers Director, please call him directly on: 0207 332 5401.

*We refer to third-six pupil or third-six-pupillage in relation to barristers who have completed a 12-month (or longer pupillage) at another set of chambers and have not been taken on as a tenant previously.

Family Team Recruitment

Applications are welcome from established and emerging practitioners with talent, drive and ambition with a family law practice. We have a strategy for growth within our family team. The past year has seen significant advances in casework and recognition across all areas of our family practice, and presents an ideal opportunity to recruit.

Family work: All aspects, including Financial Remedies, Nuptial agreements, ToLATA, International Family Law (abduction, relocation, expert reports), Children (Public & Private), Surrogacy, Forced Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation. We work with leading international and national law firms.

The family team has significant opportunities for growth and are interested in discussing opportunities with outstanding individuals and small groups of practitioners, to include those currently employed who may be seeking a return to the self-employed bar, or solicitor advocates from the UK or other jurisdictions with rights of audience.

For a confidential discussion, please contact our Chambers Director, Dave Scothern (dscothern@5sah.co.uk or 0207 332 5401).

 

Please apply with your CV and covering letter providing an overview of your current practice and aspirations for your future practice to dscothern@5sah.co.uk

 

Mini-Pupillage

Chambers welcomes applications for mini-pupillage — a period of up to a week when those interested in pursuing a career at the Bar can spend time shadowing members of chambers. Mini-pupillages offer the chance to see the Bar at work, the different kinds of law Chambers practises and ultimately helps mini-pupils decide if they want to apply to us for pupillage.

Mini-pupillages are offered year-round however places are in high demand. Applications will be judged on merit, reasons for pursuing a career at the Bar and presentation.  We regret that due to the volume of applications only successful applicants will be contacted. We aim to respond to applications within 8 weeks.

Applicants for mini-pupillage must be aged 18 years or older.

To apply applicants should send a CV of no more than 2 pages and a cover letter of no more than 200 words addressed to the Mini-Pupillage Secretary, Alexa Le Moine, by email: minipupillage@5sah.co.uk

Financial Assistance for Mini-pupillages

5SAH may be able to offer financial assistance in the form of a bursary (either in respect of out of pocket travel or accommodation expenses) for up to 5 applicants per year, in order to assist them in attending a mini-pupillage in these Chambers.  We offer up to a maximum of £150 per mini pupil. Applications for a bursary will be assessed by the mini-pupillage secretary and will be treated in confidence.

Applicants qualifying for financial assistance are likely to be those who satisfy the following criteria:

A: Have attended a state school or college, be able to demonstrate high academic achievement, and have attended or be attending university.

AND

B: Meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Neither of your parents went to university
• You have received free school meals or your family has received income support
• You have caring responsibilities
• You were in care yourself
• You have a disability

We will, however, consider applications made in other circumstances at our discretion. 

Should a mini-pupillage applicant wish to apply for financial assistance, please indicate this at the end of your covering letter, specifying how you meet the above criteria.