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Recruitment is key to the continued success of Kenworthy’s Chambers. We pride ourselves on supporting Barristers’ career development and providing a great work environment.
Our Equality and Diversity Policy ensures that staff are treated equally regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, or physical disability. Kenworthy’s welcomes people from all backgrounds to apply for tenancy and to make Pupillage applications.
Tenancy
As a Chambers, Kenworthy’s are always looking to expand, and while Barrister job vacancies may not always be listed, we welcome applications from established Barristers.
TENANCY APPLICATION DETAILS
To apply for tenancy at Kenworthy’s Chambers please send a covering letter, CV and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to our head of recruitment:
Mr. Barry Grennan
Kenworthy’s Chambers,
Arlington House,
Bloom Street,
Salford,
M3 6AJ
Kenworthy’s Chambers,
Arlington House,
Bloom Street,
Salford,
M3 6AJ
Please also provide the following details:
- Your Practice Areas and who instructs you in these areas.
- Names of Solicitors or other referrers of work who can be approached in confidence to obtain references.
- A short business plan indicating the areas you want your practice to develop and how you propose to develop in those areas.
For a confidential discussion, feel free to call or email our Practice Manager Maria Rushworth on 0161 832 4036 or [email protected].
Kenworthy’s Chambers is an equal opportunities employer and complies with the Bar Standards Board's equality and diversity guidelines. We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabled applicants.
Pupillage
Kenworthy’s normally offer up to two 12-month Pupillages per annum. We also welcome applications for Pupillage from established Practitioners and other applicants who have dispensation from the Bar Standards Board (BSB) with a requirement to undertake a shorter period of Pupillage. Our main objective is to recruit Pupils that have the ability and the determination to succeed as a Barrister at the highest level.
Kenworthy's Chambers is part of the Bar Council Pupillage Gateway and all applications for a 12-month Pupillage must be made via the Pupillage Gateway Website. Full details of any vacancies and awards are published on the Pupillage Gateway and duplicated in the Pupillage and Awards Handbook. The timetable we follow is the same as the Pupillage Gateway Timetable, this way all applications are considered together.
PUPILLAGE REQUIREMENTS
- A good academic record, preferably a 2:1 or higher in any subject, and an appetite for very hard work.
- Relevant legal experience.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, the highest ethical standards and professional calibre. The ability to present clear written analysis, opinion, and to identify and distil relevant issues from complex information.
- Ambition, determination, motivation, and the ability to display initiative, to work alone and as a part of a team and to perform under pressure.
Please see our Full Pupillage Policy.
PUPILLAGE APPLICATION SCORING
Pupillage application forms are scored by the pupillage committee on two main criteria: intellectual ability and dedication.
- Intellectual Ability is assessed in most cases on academic qualifications supported by research, experience or publications which demonstrate knowledge and use of intellect. Kenworthy’s look for clarity of expression in writing and our minimum degree requirement is a 2:1 in any subject.
- Dedication criteria rewards those with demonstrated motivation, commitment, and drive. We will look at individuals with significant achievements or experience in other fields, such as winning a national music competition, playing at a national level on a sports field or setting up a business, being the Director of a company, or completing a degree whilst undertaking a full-time job.
Chambers receive around 300 - 500 applications per annum. If an application makes it through two paper sifts the candidate will then be invited for a first-round interview. Kenworthy’s interview between 20 and 30 candidates in the first round. After this, approximately 10-15 candidates will be invited back for a second interview.
Interviews will be conducted by a panel of three to five members of the Pupillage Committee. They are scheduled for approximately 15-20 minutes and focus on set questions. First-round interview questions and the presentation topic require no specialist knowledge. However, candidates are expected to have an interest and general understanding of legal matters.
The panel may wish to conduct a second-round interview. Second-round interviews involve a presentation by the candidate and further questions. The topic of the presentation is provided to the candidate at least 72 hours in advance of the interview.
The second-round exercise is designed to show your communication skills, ability to think on your feet, articulate an argument, and demonstrate presentational and persuasive skills. Further questions are designed to assess the individual’s personal qualities such as temperament, sense of humour, client skills, and commitment.
SELECTION CRITERIA AT PUPILLAGE INTERVIEW
When assessing face-to-face interviews, Kenworthy’s score on the following criteria:
-
The ability to analyse and articulate as a Lawyer
(i) Ability to analyse factual and legal issues in a problem
(ii) Ability to think clearly under pressure
(iii) Ability to absorb information quickly
(iv) Persuasiveness in written and oral expression
(v) Ability to unpick complex arguments
(vi) Does not panic when faced with a deluge of information -
Motivation
(i) Passion to succeed and commitment to the Bar
(ii) Interest in the key areas of law that Kenworthy’s operates in, including public law, civil liberties, human rights, crime, family, commercial, costs, personal injury, police actions, immigration and asylum, social welfare, education, housing, employment, and mental health. -
Temperament
(i) Ability to remain calm under pressure
(ii) Sensitivity in dealings with others
(iii) Confidence
(iv) Self-discipline
(v) Common sense
(vi) Objectivity
(vii) Integrity -
Appreciation of the Commercial Position of the Bar
(i) Commercial awareness of competition
(ii) Efficiency and delivery of service levels
(iii) Drive and determination
(iv) Understanding of how to build commercial relationships
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM KENWORTHY’S CHAMBERS PUPILLAGE
On arrival in Chambers, Pupils will be given an induction by the Pupil Supervisor and Head of Pupillage, introducing them to the necessary policies and procedures. They will also spend time discussing the following points.
- The pupillage training program and how this will provide the Pupil with the opportunity to satisfy each of the professional competencies as set out in the BSB’s Professional Statement, to ensure they have the knowledge, skills, and attributes that all Barristers require on ‘day one’ of practice.
- The Pupil will be reviewed against the BSB’s Professional Statement, as a minimum, throughout the course of pupillage to ensure that progress is being made to the requisite standard and that ongoing training is appropriately focused.
- Chambers ensure that once pupillage is completed, our Pupils are prepared for a successful practice in accordance with BSB’s Professional Statement for Barristers, which details the threshold standard and competencies required.
Pupil Supervisors provide regular feedback to their Pupils. At the end of months two, four, six, eight, and ten, the Pupillage Supervisor will complete a Pupil Supervision Review Form against the competencies contained within the Professional Statement and discuss any observations made with the Pupil, ensuring you are on track with the required standards.
There are no fixed training hours, however Kenworthy’s Chambers business hours are between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
After three months your supervisor will conduct a formal assessment of the work you have done. This will include looking at the feedback of other Practitioners, the structure and development of your Pupillage and the requirements of the Bar Council checklists. A copy of the Pupil Appraisal Form will be provided to the Pupil and the Head of the Pupillage Committee for review.
During months five to six of the non-practising period Pupils will be asked to spend more time with other members of chambers, particularly observing and working alongside Junior Tenants to gain an insight into the work they will receive in their second six months.
The Head of the Pupillage, along with members of the Pupillage Committee will review the Pupil’s progress in the last month of the first six months of the non-practising period of pupillage (first six) in order to ascertain whether they are achieving the required competencies. The Pupil will then meet with the Head of the Pupil Committee, and at least one other member to be provided with feedback and discuss any matters the Pupil wishes to raise.
The Head of Pupillage and the Practice Manager will liaise with the Pupil Supervisor and the Pupil to ensure that the Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Non-Practising Pupillage is completed and submitted to the BSB in good time to allow a provisional practising certificate to be obtained for the start of the practising six months. Prior to the end of month six, the pupil must satisfactorily complete their Inn’s Pupil Advocacy Course before commencing their practising six months.
Once the second six months of Pupillage begins, Pupils can expect to appear frequently in court and may receive paperwork instructions in their own name. They are encouraged to complete a variety of work and to experience a range of practising styles. All second-six Pupils will be expected to undertake work in the Magistrates Court and may appear in the Crown Court, County Court, and High Court.
HOW PUPILS ARE ASSESSED
Every step that is taken will be supported by your Pupil Supervisor, members of chambers and our Clerks. Each Pupillage is closely monitored, and regular meetings are scheduled to discuss and assess progress. Constructive feedback from members is encouraged to assist your career development. Throughout Pupillage your supervisor will meet with you regularly to discuss the allocation of work and your progress. After each piece of work, the Practitioner must complete an evaluation form. Evaluation forms are held by Supervisors and become part of the final assessment for 'tenancy'.
Towards the end of the second six months (usually month 10) consultation about offering the Pupil a tenancy takes place with the relevant Pupil-Supervisor, selection committee, members of chambers, and the Practice Manager. No single member of Chambers can veto a decision, and if any member/s wish to challenge a recommendation of the selection committee reasons must be submitted and substantiated by reference to the selection criteria. The outcome of these assessments is announced before the end of Pupillage and a decision on whether the offer of a tenancy is to be made.
In all circumstances, Pupil supervisors will write a final report on their Pupil to confirm the support to transfer to tenancy.
THIRD SIX PUPILLAGE
Kenworthy’s Chambers periodically has vacancies for Third Six Pupils. When Kenworthy’s Chambers has a third six Pupillage vacancy, it is advertised on our website and on the Bar Council Website.
Kenworthy’s Chambers is an equal opportunities employer and complies with the Bar Standards Board's equality and diversity guidelines. We make reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabled applicants.
To apply for Mini Pupillage at Kenworthy’s Chambers send a covering letter CV and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to
The Pupillage Committee
Mini Pupillage Application,
Kenworthy’s Chambers,
Arlington House,
Bloom Street,
Salford,
Manchester,
M3 6AJ
Mini Pupillage Application,
Kenworthy’s Chambers,
Arlington House,
Bloom Street,
Salford,
Manchester,
M3 6AJ
MINI PUPILLAGE
Kenworthy’s Chambers offer Mini-Pupillages (unassessed) to encourage interest in Barristers’ careers at the Bar. Members of Chambers invest time in coaching students in mock trials, judging moots and giving talks to schools, colleges, and universities. Kenworthy’s Chambers encourage interested students to undertake a Mini-Pupillage with us to gain an understanding of our ethos, the expectations of the role and our areas of work.
Kenworthy’s Chambers is an equal opportunities employer and complies with the Bar Standards Board's equality and diversity guidelines. We make reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabled applicants.
MINI PUPILLAGE APPLICATION DETAILS
To apply for Mini Pupillage at Kenworthy’s Chambers send a covering letter CV and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to
Mr Jonathan Greer
Mini Pupillage Application,
Kenworthy’s Chambers,
Arlington House,
Bloom Street,
Salford,
Manchester,
M3 6AJ
Mini Pupillage Application,
Kenworthy’s Chambers,
Arlington House,
Bloom Street,
Salford,
Manchester,
M3 6AJ
All members of the interviewing panel have undertaken the selection and recruitment training required by the Bar Standards Board.
Please note, applicants must be aged 18 years and above.
