2 Bedford Row - True Picture

Chambers profile

Widely regarded as one of the leading crime chambers in the country, 2 Bedford Row is ranked as a leading set in Chambers and Partners and as a top-tier set in Legal 500.

Type of work undertaken

Chambers both prosecutes and defends and is committed to all aspects of criminal and regulatory. Its members have extensive expertise in areas including crime, fraud, regulatory work (for GMC, GDC and the NMC), health and safety, inquests and public inquiries (including the Hillsborough football stadium disaster and the Grenfell Tower fire).

Pupil profile

Chambers recruits candidates from all backgrounds who display the highest intellectual ability, excellent advocacy skills, sound judgement and a real commitment to criminal law and its related fields. Chambers encourages applications from all candidates including those from non-traditional backgrounds, mature students and BAME candidates.

Pupillage

Chambers offers up to four 12-month pupillages each year but will require a 3rd six to be successfully completed before inviting applications for tenancy. Pupils will have a different supervisor in each of the three six-month periods. This ensures that pupils are provided with a thorough grounding in all aspects of Chambers’ practice. Chambers also provides structured advocacy training throughout the pupillage year and will pay for pupils’ text books and all appropriate courses including attendance to the ‘Forensic Accountancy’ courses.

Chambers looks to recruit pupils who display the following qualities:
• Commitment to criminal law
• Sound academic background
• Persuasiveness in both written and oral argument
• Passion and flair for advocacy

Applications should be made through the Pupillage Gateway

Mini-pupillages

We offer mini-pupillages of one week duration. We encourage applications from students who are in their second or third year at University; postgraduates; and to those who are considering applying to us for pupillage in the next Pupillage Gateway cycle. Due to the confidential nature of our work and restrictions at some courts, we are unable to offer mini-pupillages to anyone under the age of 18.

Assessment for mini-pupillage will be based upon three criteria:
• Commitment/dedication to the criminal bar
• Insight into the areas of practice within chambers
• Advocacy

Applications should be made using the form found on the website: www.2bedfordrow.co.uk/pupillage

Funding

Pupils will receive a minimum of £40,000 over the course of their 18 months in chambers. This is made up of a grant of £20,000, payable during the first six and guaranteed earnings of £20,000 during the remainder of the pupillage. In recent years, pupils have billed far in excess of the minimum £40,000 guaranteed by chambers.