What to expect
First things first
On or before your first day we will discuss your tenure with you and tell you in detail what to expect. We will provide you with copies of our Guidance for Pupils, Pupillage Policy Statement, Grievance Procedure and Discrimination and Harassment Complaints Procedure. (These documents are also available to any applicant on request.)
Pupillage is divided into four periods of three months and you will have a different pupil supervisor for each period. Our supervisors are all on the approved register maintained by the Bar Council and have attended the ‘Training for Prospective Pupil Masters’ course.
We respect the fact that you want to come to Five Paper for training. Except in exceptional circumstances, we won't ask you to do photocopying or typing in connection with work that you haven’t been involved with. Under no circumstances will your supervisor or any other member of Chambers ask you to run errands.
Working within our areas of specialisation
Five Paper is a specialist chambers with four practice teams focusing on specific areas of law. Pupils spend time with members from different teams to experience as wide a variety of work as possible.
You will generally have your own desk in the same room as your pupil supervisor so that you can benefit by observing him or her. You will also have the opportunity to do work for other members of Chambers.
When will you find out if you have tenancy?
We believe it is important that pupils should know the outcome of their application for tenancy in sufficient time to enable them to make alternative arrangements if necessary. We therefore make decisions about whether or not to recruit a junior tenant and if so, whether to take on a pupil, by mid-July at the latest.
Appraisal
We believe it is important for pupils to have an objective assessment of their progress at regular intervals throughout the year.
At the end of each three-month period your pupil supervisor will carry out an appraisal, which is graded to give an indication of your level of performance. You are encouraged to respond in writing. Your strengths and weaknesses will be identified and future objectives agreed. Any work done for barristers other than your pupil supervisor will also be appraised.