Recruitment

We welcome applications to join our chambers and we are always interested to talk to high-calibre practitioners with a proven record at all levels of seniority in any area in which we practice.

Cross-qualified applicants are always welcomed and each submission will be treated on its own merits as situations can be so varied.

Applications for tenancy should be made by sending a CV with covering letter to Charles Row, our Head of Chambers, at the following address: Queen Square Chambers, 56 Queen Square, Bristol, BS1 4PR.

Queen Square Chambers will be recruiting for two 12-month general common law pupillages commencing in October 2021 with funding of £9,000 in first six and guaranteed earnings of £9,000 in second six.  We realise that the first few months of pupillage can be a financial struggle and so will offer a grant of £2,000 one month before the start of pupillage to assist you in re-location and accommodation costs.  This means the total pupillage grant is £20,000.

Chambers is located in Bristol and our members are instructed in cases nationwide, with a particular focus on the Western and Wales and Chester Circuits.

During pupillage you can expect to have 3 pupil supervisors each for a four-month period.  Alongside the Western Circuit advocacy training, Chambers runs its own in-house advocacy programme to best prepare you for second six as well as comprehensive feedback on all written work.

Once you start your second six you can expect a busy and varied diary in all areas of Chambers work.  Alongside Magistrates Court work, recent pupils have been instructed in Crown Court matters, Family proceedings, Fast Track trials and Employment Tribunals.  New tenants have been able to build upon this platform of mixed work to forge successful practices, often exceeding the levels of their contemporaries in London.

Chambers only offers pupillage with a view to tenancy and since 2015 has had 11 pupils, all of whom have been taken on as tenants. The tenancy decision is usually made within one month before the completion of pupillage.

The application form can be downloaded here.  Please follow the instructions on the application form and submit it by 4pm on Monday 8th February 2021 to pupillage@qsc.law. You should also enclose a copy of Equal Opportunities Monitoring form which can also be downloaded below.

We offer a limited number of mini-pupillages throughout the year – an opportunity for applicants to experience all elements of life at the Bar in Bristol. Mini-pupils will have the opportunity to shadow members in chambers in court and during conferences. You will also be able to ask any questions about pupillage at Queen Square and the profession as a whole.

Applications are assessed by academic ability, demonstration of the skills required to succeed as a Barrister, and enthusiasm for potential practice in Bristol and / or at Queen Square Chambers. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from those studying in Bristol, including those who are still deciding whether to pursue a career at the Bar.

Mini-pupillages are neither assessed nor a pre-requisite to any future pupillage application.

Applications should be made by way of the form below, returned by email to minipupillage@qsc.law. PDF format is preferred to preserve formatting. Please also complete and return our Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form, also available below.

Please note: Following the Covid-19 outbreak, we took the decision to suspend mini pupillages as of the 16^th of March 2020. This was reviewed following government lifting of restrictions on the 19^th of July 2021. However, following our own risk assessment we are still unable to restart mini pupillages. However, we are still more than happy to receive applications.

Applications are assessed quarterly and the following deadlines apply:

30 September – for mini-pupillages in January to March the following year;
31 December – for mini-pupillages in April to June the following year;
31 March – for mini-pupillage in July to September;
30 June – for mini-pupillages in September to December;

Unfortunately we are not able to provide financial support for mini-pupils.

Queen Square Chambers is a common law set, with a busy criminal department, based in the heart of Bristol, a city which has recently been voted the best place to live in the UK. We are actively seeking applications from those wishing to pursue a criminal career.

Having been established as one of the main sets of chambers in Bristol for more than 40 years, we pride ourselves on being friendly and approachable, as well as being committed to progressing the careers of our tenants. There is a strong collaborative atmosphere at Queen Square where both the clerks and counsel work together to ensure all junior members are supported in their practices.

We presently welcome applications for “third six” pupillages from criminal pupils, who will have completed compulsory pupillage and who wish to advance in this area. This is with a view to an offer of tenancy as a criminal practitioner.

The current climate sees us able to offer the successful applicant a ready-made Magistrates Court practice, with an abundance of defence and prosecution work.

Previous second and third six pupils have found themselves quickly on their feet in the Crown Court, defending and prosecuting trials and appearing in the Court of Appeal.

To aid in any transition or move to chambers, we offer third six pupils rent at a reduced rate for six months and are flexible on the start date.

Please apply by sending a covering letter and CV to James Bromige (James.Bromige@qsc.law) along with a copy of your last 3 months’ work diary and any references that you may have available.

If you have any queries relating to a third six experience at Queen Square Chambers, please take a look at our website where Mike Blitz has put together a few words on the subject.

Mike welcomes any requests for an ‘off the record’ conversation about life at the Bristol Bar, practising at Queen Square Chambers and Bristol in general. He will not be part of the recruitment process.

All applications will be treated in confidence. Successful candidates will be selected on merit and in accordance with our equality and diversity policy.