Pupillage Opportunities at South Square

South Square recruits up to three high calibre pupils each year to take part in their twelve month non-practicing pupillage programme.  The recruitment process has three stages, (i) the sift, where we review all the applications we receive through the Pupillage Gateway, (ii) a first round interview with a panel of 2-3 of our junior barristers in which we will discuss your application and you will be asked a series of short questions, and (iii) a second round interview with a panel of 4-5 of our more senior barristers and/or silks and which will largely entail a discussion of a legal problem for which you will have time before the interview to prepare.

As a guide, our general requirements are as follows:

Academic:  We are seeking candidates that have excellent academic results. A minimum of 3 A grades at A level (or relevant alternative) and a high 2:1 at degree level is required. Many candidates will have 3 A* at A level and a 1^st at degree, as well as a high-quality post-graduate qualification. However, we will consider lower grades if extenuating circumstances apply.

Motivation: Candidates should be able to demonstrate their interest in advocacy and commercial law. We would expect candidates to have completed at least two to three mini-pupillages. Whilst we do not require candidates to have completed a mini-pupillage at South Square we do require candidates to have completed at least 1 mini-pupillage at a commercial/chancery set.  We also expect candidates to have taken part in mooting and/or debating competitions. Most successful candidates will have mooting and/or debating prizes and/or can demonstrate a practical application of their advocacy skills in other settings (for example by taking part in pro bono work). However, we will consider candidates without this experience if extenuating circumstances apply. We also expect candidates to demonstrate why they want to come to South Square as well as an understanding of our main practice areas (although experience in these practice areas is not required

Pupils are selected from a broad range of backgrounds and experience, whether recent university graduates or those seeking a second career at the Bar. A number of our members have degrees in law, some have taken non-law degrees and then sat the CPE/GDL, and others have started their career in another sector before becoming a barrister.

At South Square, junior tenants can expect to earn materially in excess of their pupillage award in their first year of practice.  As a broad guide, average income during the first 12 months of practice exceeds £150,000, for the second year of tenancy it exceeds £250,000, and in the third year it exceeds £300,000 (in many cases by a considerable margin). Chambers also offers interest-free loans up to £25,000 to new tenants to assist with any early cash flow concerns. The loan is repayable over the first 24 months of tenancy. Tenants are not required to pay rent for their room during the first 15 months of tenancy and they are exempt receipts charge for their first 6 months.

For information about our pupillage programme you can download our brochure here.  Please apply for pupillage through the Pupillage Gateway 

South Square are currently not accepting 3rd six applications.

Each year we offer 40 two-day mini pupillages. As a mini pupil you will be placed with a junior member of chambers and see the breadth of work which we take on. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Commercial Court and, time permitting, meet a few other members for lunch in hall.

Our mini pupillages are not assessed.  They are designed for candidates to gain an insight into the life of a junior barrister at South Square, the work that they do, and the culture of chambers.

Travel expenses of up to £100 are available for public transportation, against suitable receipts. An additional £20 per day will be given to contribute towards other costs.

We offer mini pupillages between April and July, September and November each year. A mini pupillage is not a requirement for prospective pupils at South Square, but if you are considering a career at the Commercial / Chancery Bar we recommend visiting one or two sets that practice in this area.

Please send a CV and covering letter via e-mail (pupillage@southsquare.com) to the Pupillage Administrator. If you are studying law as an undergraduate, we suggest that you visit during your last year of the course.  If you have not studied law as an undergraduate, we would expect you to have started your conversion degree before applying for a mini pupillage with us.

Mini pupillage cycle April-July 2026 – deadline 13 February 2026.

Mini pupillage cycle Sept-Nov 2026 – deadline 03 July 2026.