Spire Barristers – 12 Months – September 2023

About AETO and Structure of Pupillage

Spire Barristers are winners of the Chambers of the Year 2019 Award at the Yorkshire Legal Awards and winners of the 2022 Regional Family Law Chambers of the Year Award at the nationally recognised LexisNexis Family Law awards, as well as being shortlisted again this year. We are the only specialist Family and Public Law set on the North Eastern Circuit and in the North of England.

Our members are amongst the most respected and experienced in these areas of practice at the Bar. We are routinely recognised as a Leading Set in the Legal 500, with various individuals receiving recognition, together with individual entries in Chambers & Partners.

Further, chambers has a reputation for supporting and encouraging new entrants to the Bar, in particular by promoting and undertaking social mobility initiatives, which enable those applicants who might previously have been unable to commence a career as a barrister to do so.

It is against this background that chambers invite applications from those candidates who will complete the Bar’s professional training course by the start of a 12-month pupillage commencing in September 2023.

Our specialist and bespoke pupillage training programme is designed to ensure that by the end of their training, chambers’ pupils are able to securely satisfy all the competencies set out in the Bar Professional Statement, such that on commencement of pupillage itself our pupils work with a wide range of practitioners, so that they can be assessed widely across chambers, whilst being allocated one overall pupil supervisor.

The training and opportunities provided are of the highest quality, which ensures that pupils may move seamlessly into tenancy with busy and successful practices; having been nurtured in a warm and welcoming chambers’ environment. All pupils have access to the best specialist clerking services to ensure the right exposure to instructing solicitors, as well as full administrative support. Follow this link to view or download our Pupillage brochure: 

We recruit pupils on the merit of their application, including relevant life experiences rather than simply focusing on academic achievement. We believe there is more to a good pupil than simply their undergraduate grades. That said, when the time comes, there is still a requirement that that on completion of the vocational stage of training (BTC/BPC), a grade equivalent to “Very Competent” must be achieved.

The successful candidate will have demonstrably good communication skills, a commitment to their development as an outstanding advocate as well as a commitment to the independent bar and in particular the Family and Public Law bar throughout Leeds, Yorkshire & the North Eastern Circuit. They will also have an ability to engage well with clients, members of chambers and the clerks.

Full information about our Pupillage can be found at http://spirebarristers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SB_PupillageBook2023-2024.pdf or visit the recruitment section of our website.

How to Apply

Applicants are sought who are yet to start the Bar Professional course.

Full information about our Pupillage can be found at http://spirebarristers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SB_PupillageBook2023-2024.pdf or visit the recruitment section of our website.

Application form can be downloaded from the website:  www.spirebarristers.co.uk where there are instructions on how to compete the process.

Application Questions

What attributes do you possess that are required of the Family and/or Public Law barrister?

Why do you believe you will make a good barrister? In your answer, please identify any relevant experiences or skills that you believe may help you in your career.

Why do you want to join our chambers? In your answer, please give reasons for your choice of chambers and explain why you are interested in our areas of practice.