Pupillage

2 King’s Bench Walk is a highly respected set of chambers which specialises in criminal, civil and family law throughout London, the south of England and the Midlands. Vacancies are for pupillages specialising in criminal law and family law, although there may be an opportunity for pupils to gain experience in other areas of law. We regard our pupils as future tenants and in the last six years have offered tenancy to eleven candidates upon the successful completion of their pupillage.

Chambers has a reputation for excellence in all areas of criminal law and our members are frequently instructed to prosecute and defend in the most high-profile and serious cases throughout the country. Therefore, although based in London, pupils will undertake a significant amount of travel during pupillage.

In the first six months, pupils will spend time with their supervisors in court, as well as receiving training in written work and case preparation. In the second six months, pupils will appear in court on a daily basis as well as undertaking advisory work and drafting.

By offering exposure to the most serious criminal cases, coupled with the training and guidance provided by excellent pupil supervisors, pupillage with us is an ideal footing for those committed to pursuing a career at the criminal bar.

Known for our friendly and approachable manner, we look for the same in our pupils. The successful applicants will be well-rounded individuals with proven academic ability. They will also demonstrate a strong commitment to 2 King’s Bench Walk.

Pupillage at 2 King’s Bench Walk is an enormously rewarding experience and is designed to be the foundation for producing exceptional barristers.  Please see our Pupillage Structure page for more information.

Applications

Thank you for your interest in a pupillage at 2 King’s Bench Walk. Our 2026 applications are now closed.  For the 2027 campaign, you will be able to apply from 11:00 on 4th January 2027.

Pupillage Applications 2027

2 KBW are pleased to offer two 12-month criminal pupillages, and one 12-month family pupillage to commence in October 2027, as advertised on the Bar Council Pupillage Gateway (advert numbers will be added in due course when published).

As a leading set of Chambers on both the South-Eastern and Western Circuits, we believe that pupillage is a key investment for the future of our chambers and the Bar as a whole. We recruit with firm belief that all our pupils will be future tenants.

2KBW is seeking to recruit three motivated, enthusiastic and hard-working applicants with the potential to achieve the high standard we boast of all our members. It is expected that the successful applicants will be willing to contribute to all aspects of life at 2KBW.

Successful pupils will each be supervised by at least two pupil supervisors and fully supported by the whole of 2KBW throughout the entirety of their pupillage.  Please see our Pupillage Structure Document Pupillage structure | 2KBW for further details.

Each pupillage will be funded with an award of £40,000, comprising £18,000 for the first 6 months with guaranteed earnings of £22,000 for the second 6 months.

2027 Key Dates:

• 4^th January 2027 at 11:00 hours – Applications Window opens
• 28^th January 2027 at 23:59 hours – Applications Window closes
• By 8^th March 2027 – Invitations to First Round Interview
• Saturday 20th March 2027 – First Round Interviews in person
• By 9^th April 2027 – Invitations to Second Round Interview
• Saturday 24^th April 2027 – Second Round Interviews in person
• 7^th May 2027- Initial offers made
• 14th May 2027 – Deadline for acceptance of initial offers
• 14th May 2027 – Second round offers made (if applicable)
• 4^th October 2027 – Pupillages commence

Our online application form will be available via this page as of 11:00 hours on 4^th January 2027.  If you have any queries, please email us within the applications window at pupillage@2kbw.com.

The applications window will run from 11:00 hours on 4^th January 2027 and close at 23:59 hours on 28^th January 2027.  Please note you will not be able to apply or submit your application outside of this strict window.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. Please see here for our Equality & Diversity Policy:  Equality & diversity policy | 2KBW Please see here for our Health & Well-Being Policy:  Health & wellbeing policy | 2KBW

 

 

 

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