Other Pupillages
Subject to approval from the Bar Council, in addition to its funded pupillages referred to above, Fountain Court intends periodically to offer 6 month unfunded pupillages to suitably qualified candidates. Under no circumstances will a 6 month pupil be considered for a tenancy at Fountain Court. Such pupillages will only be offered to candidates who do not intend to enter independent practice at the Bar of England and Wales (applicants who do intend to enter such independent practice should only apply for a full pupillage.)
In the past unfunded pupillages have typically been awarded to pupils who intend to practise in foreign jurisdictions or as employed barristers here or abroad (for example, in the Government Legal Service). In selecting 6 month unfunded pupils we look for high academic achievement, an interest in the work of Chambers, and for candidates we think will be successful in their chosen fields.
These pupillages are for a maximum of 6 months and will not be extended. If a successful candidate wishes to complete a total of 12 months of pupillage it is his or her responsibility to arrange the other 6 months in another set of chambers. Applications for 6 month pupillages here should not be made through OLPAS.
For the reasons set out above, applicants who wish to practise in independent practice at the Bar of England and Wales should not apply for 6 month pupillages: these pupillages are unsuitable for such applicants and Fountain Court is unable to assist 6 month pupils in finding tenancies elsewhere.
How do I apply?
There is no formal closing date for the receipt of applications for a six months unfunded pupillage, and they should not be made through OLPAS. Applicants should instead complete an application form which can be found by clicking on the following link: Unfunded pupillage Application form. Completed application forms should be sent to Natalie Davis by email or by post to: Fountain Court Chambers, London EC4Y 9DH
Since our ability to offer unfunded pupillages of this sort is dependent upon the Bar Council's Pupillage Funding and Advertising Committee being prepared, in each particular case, to dispense with the obligation to fund the pupillage, applicants should make their application well in advance of the date on which they wish their pupillage to commence, in order to allow the necessary waiver application to be processed.