Pupillage 2026

9 King’s Bench Walk
12 Months
October 2026
Number of pupillages available 3
Pupillage start date October 2026
Pupillage type 12-month pupillage
Pupillage award type Partially Fixed/Guaranteed Earnings
Pupillage award type £26,000 per annum paid monthly, but anticipated to be substantially more than the minimum guaranteed amount during the practicing period

WHY CHOOSE US?

Supportive, inclusive, ambitious for our set and everyone in it, a provider of first class training, never content to settle for anything less than excellence, and our pupils know, from the start, that their pupillage training is always carried out with tenancy in mind. Those are just a few of the phrases we have heard said, and that we say ourselves about 9 KBW. We stand by these descriptions as being not only qualities we firmly believe that we offer to our pupils and that are at our foundation, but that we always have those high standards as our goals. For Chambers to continue to meet those standards and goals, we must do our utmost to see that our pupils succeed in their pupillage and in their long term ambitions. That is why we believe that you should choose 9 KBW for your pupillage. If you want to succeed, and you are prepared to work hard, we will do everything we can to help you achieve all of your ambitions.

9 KBW is a set where pupils are supported from the day they say Yes to our offer of pupillage. We are here for them, from that first excitement of being able to say they have found a pupillage home, and we maintain an extraordinary level of support from that day onwards. It does not stop at pupillage either, because having trained our pupils to the highest standards, with the sole aim of making them first class members of the Bar, we see them become people we are proud and happy to offer tenancy to at 9 KBW.

As soon as we know who our new pupils are to be, we begin the process of not only assigning experienced supervisors to each pupil (4 in rotation throughout the 12 months) but also a dedicated Buddy to each pupil. That Buddy is a member who themselves completed pupillage with 9 KBW and provides their new pupil with support and a friendly ear for those questions a new pupil may not necessarily want to ask a supervisor. The buddy will contact their pupil long before any start date to say hello and ensure that each pupil knows the basic information about chambers itself, answer any questions about most direct methods of transport, where is the nearest and best coffee shop and so on! No question is ever “silly” and we want our pupils to know that they have a mentor that they can raise any subject or question with. We recognize that it is not always easy for a pupil to discuss a personal concern with a senior member of chambers and that they may also not wish to raise it generally on any of our Whatsapp groups and for this they have a Buddy. Our Buddy Programme helps pupils to integrate quickly into life in Chambers and is there to guide and support them through the pressures that beginning a criminal pupillage can bring. Prior to a start date, our pupils receive all the documentation that they will need, including a full copy of our comprehensive training plan, setting out how they will meet each of the competences, and a list of recommended reading materials, thus allowing pupils to familiarise themselves with the programme and to begin the self-reflection that the programme calls for. They will be given our Handbook for Pupils and our policies that guide any pupil through processes for leave of any type, all Equality, Diversity and Inclusion matters and policies which make clear Chambers commitment to supporting anyone who is a member of 9 KBW, in whatever capacity.

ABOUT 9 KBW

9KBW is a set of 29 full members with two probationary tenants and 3 pupils currently in their first six. We are a progressive, inclusive and highly pro-active set, working mainly in Crime, for both defence and prosecution, and in Regulatory work. We also have a growing team specialising in Animal Protection Law, particularly those cases prosecuted under the Dangerous Dogs Act, and other members who specialise in Extradition cases, as members of the CPS Extradition Advocate Panel.
Many of Chambers members are Direct Public Access qualified. We also have members who are Police Station Accredited Representatives.
Our members are regularly instructed to both prosecute and defend in Serious and Organised Crime, cases involving Murder and Manslaughter, Serious Sexual Offences, Firearms, large scale Drugs Importation, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking and a wide range of other equally serious instances of criminal enterprise. Members often act as Leading Juniors or are led by King’s Counsel or Leading Juniors. Our members, from the most junior, can expect to be led from an early stage in their career.

We have a number of very experienced members, practicing in Regulatory Law, instructed in cases involving complex medical and other professional experts by authorities such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council, The Care Quality Commission, The General Pharmaceutical Council and Ofsted, among others. One of our regulatory specialists has recently been appointed as a Regional Panel Member with the Football Association.
Pupils will have the opportunity to attend court with those who practice in all the areas of specialist law, and to develop their own practice in one or more of those areas if they so choose. They will receive guidance and support from members and the clerking team in order to do so.

We have a very experienced Management and Clerking team, who work closely with every member, probationary tenant and pupil to ensure that they receive a first class, skilled, successful and supportive service at all times.

Dave Fardon, Chambers Senior Clerk, has a wealth of experience in diary and practice management, at the highest level, as well as in criminal and regulatory fee billing and he has a highly knowledgeable clerking team in support. Dave’s leadership of our clerking team means that clients repeatedly return to instruct those at 9 KBW because of the level of professional, approachable and reliable clerking skills displayed by Dave and our team.
Chambers regulatory compliance, financial management, AETO compliance, complaints and grievance procedures and Chambers general administration is managed by Christine Eadie, Chambers Managing Consultant, who has over 40 years experience in Criminal Chambers as well as within the Courts system

From the very first day of their second six, our pupils will find themselves receiving a wealth of instructions in both the Magistrates and Crown Courts, quickly building their practice with substantive hearings and contested jury trials during their pupillage. They will have the opportunity to apply for both the CPS Advocate and Regulatory Panels, as well as training in regulatory work.

We are a set that is constantly very busy, regularly being instructed by new solicitors and agencies and always ready for new challenges. Our membership is tight knit, loyal and committed to the growth and success of 9 KBW and every member of the team that makes it the set that it is.

Each pupil will be expected to participate fully in the work of his or her Pupil Supervisor. In addition, Chambers organises written exercises and advocacy training, as we see this as an important part of not only a pupil’s professional training, but as a way of additional support and inclusion in the life of Chambers.

Stephen Wells, a senior member of Chambers is an advocacy tutor trainer for Lincoln’s Inn and has acted as a lead tutor on both mandatory pupillage training courses and on the new practitioners’ programme. He taught advocacy in Bar Schools for 12 years. We are highly fortunate to have Stephen in Chambers to lead our Advocacy Training Programme, in conjunction with Chambers Supervisors and other experienced members
We are equally fortunate in having Claire Stevenson, a senior regulatory and extradition specialist, to provide training on both areas of law during both first and second six. Such experience is also given to junior members who may wish to diversify their specialisms as their practice grows.

We have two Chambers Whatsapp groups, one of which is specifically for the very junior end of Chambers and is a place where a pupil can ask questions or discuss any concerns with other juniors.
We intend to recruit those pupils who we think have what it takes to become 9KBW tenants and we provide an extensive and inclusive experience, with that aim firmly in mind.
9 KBW will offer applicants the opportunity to gain wide experience of life at the Bar generally and to master skills that will enable them to develop a first class practice and an income commensurate to that practice, in not only their preferred areas of law, but also in other areas that they may not previously have considered. Our junior tenants can expect to be in receipt of an income of over £80,000 in their first year in tenancy.
Although Chambers are instructed in work primarily in London, 9 KBW believes in tailoring one’s practice to fit them. This being the case, some members of Chambers are instructed in cases outside of the capital

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM YOUR PUPILLAGE?

A 9KBW Pupillage comprises four periods of 3 months, with four different designated Pupil Supervisors, who will be responsible for overall assessment and reporting. We believe that rotating supervisors in this way gives our pupils the widest possible experience of different types of work and advocacy styles. We also have two supervisors who “float” so that if a designated supervisor is unavailable because they are on holiday for instance, there is always someone available to take on the guidance of any pupil.
We have other senior members, not currently qualified as supervisors, who plan to undertake the necessary training to become Pupil Supervisors in 2026, in order to further broaden and develop the opportunities available to pupils, to observe a wider range of advocacy styles
During their first six pupillage pupils will;

Attend and observe proceedings at the Crown Court and Magistrates’ Courts, as well as the Court of Appeal where possible
Attend Regulatory Tribunals and Extradition hearings.
Attend hearings involving Animal Protection Law and the Dangerous Dogs Act; an area of law for which Chambers is becoming especially well known for members expertise
Observe completed proceedings in all types of hearing in each of those courts.
All pupils will be expected to learn how to prepare a brief, both in relation to pre-hearing work such as, but not necessarily limited to, drafting indictments, defence case statements, opening notes, grounds of appeal and skeleton arguments and preparation for the hearing itself by preparing examinations in chief, cross examinations, speeches and any legal submissions.
Undertaking legal research (including tasks within areas of law and practice never previously encountered by the pupil).
There will be introductions to solicitors, CPS representatives (both law clerks and lawyers), other members of the Bar, and wherever possible members of the judiciary.
Advocacy training in the conduct of small applications will be given by members of Chambers (not limited to the pupil supervisors) at various stages during the first and second six months.

During second six every pupil will be kept very busy in court, doing cases for both the defence and the prosecution, in the Magistrates' Courts, but also gaining extensive experience in Crown Court hearings, including being instructed in jury trials in the latter half of their second six. There will also be opportunities to undertake work in other areas of law.
In second six, pupils are very much encouraged to talk to members about the cases in which they are instructed and there is always an experienced member available, for a pupil to call to discuss any concerns that they may have about any aspect of their work.
We also support and assist pupils in their second six in applying to join the Crown Prosecution Service Advocate Panel as well as Regulatory Panels and our experienced Managing Consultant and Senior Clerk will be there to guide pupils through the written application process. We maintain an exceptionally high level of success in this area, in both initial applications and applications to upgrade to the highest levels in the future.

FUNDING AND OTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Funding is a mixture of an award during first six and guaranteed earnings during second six. Overall minimum guaranteed earnings will be £26,000 for the 12 months but our pupils quickly start to earn substantially more than that, once fees begin to come in during second six. The guaranteed award will be increased in line with any change to the BSB minimum guaranteed earnings level that occurs during the pupillage period.
Pupils will receive a minimum of £26,000 over the course of the pupillage year. This is comprised of a non-refundable grant of £13,000 during the first six months, and £13,000 in guaranteed earnings in the second six months. The guaranteed earnings are payable monthly and are either partially or fully refundable from fe2es received during the second six months of pupillage. The award will also be increased in line with any BSB requirement for guaranteed funding .
Fees in second six are calculated on a month by month basis, so that fees received will only be recoverable against the award in the month in which they are received. A contribution towards Chambers expenses is payable on fees received over and above the award level. This stands at 12% of fees received above the award, exclusive of VAT and expenses. We know from experience that all pupils can expect to earn considerably more than the minimum funding during their second six.
As our pupils can expect to be undertaking jury trials during their second six and where training has been completed, regulatory hearings, earnings very quickly exceed the minimum funding level.
Chambers will pay the cost of travel expenses during the non-practising 6 months for zones 1-6.and Chambers will also meet travel expenses where pupils in their first six accompany their Pupil Supervisors to courts or venues outside of the specified travel zones by whichever mode of transport is most efficient. Where requested, travel expenses can be paid in advance. Chambers will also meet the costs of any mandatory training, as well as the cost of any additional training that supervisors may designate as necessary.
As we realise that there can be a number of personal expenses that those new to the Bar must pay for as they start out, we offer a loan to pupils of up to £1000, prior to their start date, to allow for the purchase of an item of essential equipment such as court dress, IT equipment, a mobile phone, lockable case, or essential security software. This is repayable at the end of the 12 month period, unless the pupillage concludes earlier for any reason, in which case the loan should be repaid within the following month after termination.
Chambers pupils are encouraged to apply for and are supported in applications for additional funding from other supportive bodies. In earlier years our pupils have applied, with letters of reference from Chambers and were successful in obtaining funding.

HOW TO APPLY

Chambers advertises through The Gateway, and adheres strictly to the Gateway timetable, but we administer our own application process.
Applicants should apply by clicking the link to the application form HERE, then click on File in the top left hand corner and then click download for completion.
Send the completed form by e mail to christine@9kbw.com receipt will be acknowledged in due course.

EQUALITY DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION DATA MONITORING

We would be grateful if each applicant would complete an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Data Monitoring Form.
This allows us to review our data annually and to ensure that Chambers meets its statutory duty under the Equality Act 2010 as well as assisting us in developing our Equality Action Plan EDI initiatives and Recruitment Policy for the future.
Please complete the EDI Monitoring form HERE.

CHAMBERS SELECTION PROCESS

Chambers selection procedure for pupils is as follows:

On receipt of all written applications for pupillage Chambers Managing Consultant will acknowledge receipt and give an indication of the likely timetable for interview of successful applicants for a first round interview.
Chambers Managing Consultant selects three or four teams comprised of members of the Tenancy and Pupillage Committee (the number of teams is dependent upon the number of applications received) and forwards an equal number of applications to each team.
Each team selects up to eight candidates and two reserves from their batch of applicants, who they feel meet Chambers selection criteria. More may be selected if applications are of an exceptionally high standard
Those candidates selected are invited for interview by our Managing Consultant.

Chambers has two rounds of interviews in addition to an advocacy exercise in round one and a written exercise for those who are successful in progressing to the second round
Interviews will take place during March and April 2026

At first round interviews, (which may be in London or via Zoom if candidates are interviewed remotely) each candidate is given or sent a copy of an advocacy exercise and allowed 20 minutes to prepare. If Reasonable Adjustments are required, for specified reasons such as having a Disability Support Agreement, additional time to prepare will be allowed
On completion of the advocacy exercise each candidate then spends up to 30 minutes answering questions from the panel, one of which is law based.
Following completion of all first round interviews, up to 12 candidates will be invited for second round interviews (the panel have discretion to invite more or less than that number)
Those selected for a second round interview will be sent a written exercise with a deadline for completion of at least two days prior to the date of the second round interviews. Each candidate will be given the same deadline unless Reasonable Adjustments, for specified reasons, are requested. If so additional time will be allowed.
On return of the completed written exercise from the candidates, the selection teams will score the written work in accordance with an agreed criteria and scoring system
At the second round interviews, candidates will be questioned on the merits and skill of their written application, followed by a round of general questions.
On the day of the second round interview and not more than 15 minutes prior to the start of the interview, the candidates are given a topic upon which they will be asked to advocate for a period of two minutes during the course of the interview. If Reasonable Adjustments are required, for specified reasons, more time can be allowed to prepare.
The Pupillage Committee will determine which candidates most clearly meet the criteria and standards for a 9KBW pupillage and make offers to the top three candidates accordingly. Offers may be made to more or less than three candidates; more if the panel takes the view that the standard of applicants is exceptionally high or less if the panel feels that they have not seen three candidates that fully meet the standards set by the panel.
Should any candidate not accept Chambers offer, offers will then be made to the candidates who were placed behind them in terms of meeting the criteria
The Pupillage Committee will make pupillage offers via e mail and in strict accordance with the Gateway Timetable.
Chambers will keep written records of each step set out above and feedback can be made available upon request
Applications must be made in strict accordance with the Gateway Timetable.

OIC ROADSHOW – MOCK TRIAL EXPERIENCE AS A JUROR

9 King’s Bench Walk invites prospective pupillage applicants and those considering a career at the Criminal Bar to act as jurors in a mock trial in the Crown Court sitting at Wood Green.
In 2014 Robyn Murdo-Smith, a retired police Sergeant, joined 9 KBW as a tenant and part of our team of criminal law specialists.
He established the Officer in the Case (OIC) Roadshow, in which 9 King’s Bench Walk works with the Metropolitan Police to give police officers a clear insight into what advocates require when defenda2nts are charged and the case proceeds to trial.
This has developed over time into a series of lectures, the details of which are on the ‘9KBW OFFICER IN THE CASE (OIC) TRAINING’ section of the website, and a mock Crown Court trial which allows officers to gain experience giving live evidence.
The trial is both prosecuted and defended by members of 9 King’s Bench Walk, with a senior member of Chambers acting as Judge.
This unique opportunity offers a first-hand view of Crown Court advocacy, in particular witness handling, and insight into the minds of jurors—particularly helpful for when barristers begin their own practice.
The mock trial will be followed by a question-and-answer session with members of Chambers on life at the criminal Bar, what 9KBW can offer, and the pupillage application process more broadly.
Applications are welcome from undergraduate students, students currently undertaking the academic component of the Call to the Bar, and prospective pupillage applicants. All applicants must be over 18 years of age.
To apply click HERE to download the application form, which you should complete and return to christine@9kbw.com
The Mock Trials will take place during early 2026 and the dates will be finalised shortly and added to this page. Applicants will be notified if they have been selected to take part and given details of the time and venue.
We welcome and encourage applications from those in groups that may currently be under-represented at the Bar and particularly welcome those for whom the Bar, or law in any area, may not be their first career.

EQUALITY DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES AT 9 KBW

9KBW recognises that being able to offer flexibility in working arrangements may assist pupils to begin a pupillage after a period of leave because of caring responsibilities or disability and we have a Flexible Working Policy for Pupils which is designed to assist, wherever possible, pupils who still have those responsibilities.
We recognise that applicants with specific learning difficulties or disabilities may require reasonable adjustments. By way of example we will allow for adjustments that gives an applicant additional time to prepare for any part of the application process or by providing advocacy or written exercises in large print . We encourage any applicant who needs further time to let our Managing Consultant know, in advance of any interview, what reasonable adjustments are being requested. This can be done either at the written application stage or notified to us once the applicant has passed the written application stage and has been selected for interview.
As one of our Equality Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, one of our probationary tenants, Adrian Yalland, is involved in a mentoring programme with University of Notre Dame offering advocacy and legal practice advice and experience to US law students / attorneys studying in London as part of the Uni’s London Law Programme
Another of our junior members, Rhys Allen, assists a local secondary school in the Young Citizens Mock Trial Competition and helps pupils of the school prepare and plan for a mock trial that sits at a nearby Crown Court. This allows young people to participate in advocacy and to get a deeper understanding of how the CJS works. It also encourages social mobility and gives students experiences they otherwise would not have received.
In a much needed initiative, leading Animal Protection Law specialist, Sam March last year became a Committee member on the Vegan Lawyers Committee.
The Committee’s very first event was a talk on equality law and how to ensure that the rights and requirements of vegans are respected and met and particularly that those rights and requirements are met in the work place. The Committee recognises that there are a number of unrecognised barriers or obstacles which vegans must regularly overcome when joining the Bar, from horsehair wigs to harassment at, or exclusion from, the many food-centred activities that pupillage and a career at the Bar thereafter often entails.
Sam March also devotes time to providing training/experience programmes, through Investin Education, to GCSE/A-Level students looking to get into certain professions which includes the Bar.
As set out above we provide the option of a loan to new pupils to assist with the purchase of equipment that they may need for their practice, we allow for payment of travel expenses in advance to those who may find it difficult to fund their travel when starting out and we assist with applications from pupils who are looking to obtain additional funding. In previous years one of our pupils received a letter in support from Chambers for one of the Inn’s Pupillage Awards/Scholarships and was awarded the Ede & Ravenscroft Prize of a wig, gown and circuit case and another was given the Neville Laski award by the Inner Temple
Where Reasonable Adjustments are requested, we endeavour to work with the pupil, in order to meet those adjustments, to the fullest extent possible.
Our Reasonable Adjustments Policy is published on the Equality Diversity and Inclusion page of our website.
Chambers strives at all times to work within the relevant statutory, regulatory and professional frameworks in relation to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and recognises that those with certain protected characteristics e.g. those with disabilities; those with caring responsibilities; and those in older age groups, are afforded protection from various types of discrimination in relation to flexible working and reasonable adjustments under equalities legislation.

PUPILLAGE AND OTHER AVAILABLE POLICIES

A copy of our Pupillage Policy can be obtained by clicking the link to download it HERE or by request to christine@9kbw.com
If an applicant would like a copy of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Dignity at Work, Anti-Harassment, Recruitment, Reasonable Adjustments, any form of Parental Leave, Flexible Working or any other published Chambers Policy please e mail christine@9kbw.com

APPLICATIONS AND SELECTION FOR TENANCY

Chambers policy is to offer tenancy to all pupils who are determined, by a meeting of Chambers Tenancy and Pupillage Committee, to have met the Selection Criterion for Tenancy following Pupillage. There is no set number of tenancies available and therefore no competition between pupils
Full details of the application and selection process can also be found on the Tenancy Recruitment page of Chambers website.

FURTHER INFORMATION

If any further information is required, concerning any of the matters set out in this advertisement, please do not hesitate to contact either christine@9kbw.com or dave.fardon@9kbw.com. Christine will be very happy to answer any questions on pupillage recruitment, Chambers policies and procedures and regulatory requirements, or if you would prefer a confidential discussion regarding tenancy, either now or in the future, Dave will be happy to do that with you.