Tenancy and life
after pupillage
TENANCY
All pupils at QEB are automatically considered candidates for tenancy
within chambers. The decision as to which, if any, of the pupils are to
be taken on as tenants is made at a full chambers meeting after
approximately ten months of pupillage. Each pupil supervisor is
required to conduct a monthly review of a pupil’s work and write
reports on each of their pupils for the meeting.
Our aim is that a pupil is never kept in the dark as to their progress
and, as well as receiving regular informal feedback from their
supervisor, a pupil will be given their reports as and when they are
written and invited to comment upon them. At QEB we think it important
to make objective comparisons and therefore pupils will undertake
written assessments and a formal advocacy assessment so that informed
judgments can be made as to the pupils’ respective abilities.
The formal advocacy assessment involves the presentation of a case to a
panel of three senior members of chambers. The emphasis is not on the
“right” legal answer, but rather assessing a pupil’s
ability to argue a case persuasively.
PLACEMENT
While we recognise that pupillage can be an anxious and challenging
time, it is our firm aim to ensure that the experience is enjoyable and
that there is a healthy balance between assessment and training. QEB
pupils who are not taken on have a very strong record of going on to
obtain tenancies elsewhere. We endeavour to do all that we reasonably
can, by way of advice and assistance, to help pupils not taken on to
find a suitable placement on completion of their pupillage with us.
