1KBW - True Picture

1KBW pupillage review 2026

The Chambers

‘All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.’ While Tolstoy’s famous line might not have been penned with family law in mind, at 1KBW it quietly rings true, with the set specialising in the most personal matters at the most challenging times. “We’re a leading set that can offer the highest level of finance and children work,” senior clerk Mark Betts begins; “we used to do our business development in different areas, but now we do it together showcasing our USP – we’re a one-stop shop.”

A major selling point for pupils and juniors as well, “the opportunity to work among the best in the field was really appealing,” a pupil highlighted, “as was the structure of pupillage. To be exposed to the whole range of family law and go to court regularly will make me a better advocate for it.”

“To be exposed to the whole range of family law and go to court regularly will make me a better advocate for it.”

The set is awarded high praise for its children and matrimonial finance expertise in the Chambers UK Bar guide. In fact, 1KBW has among the highest number of barristers ranked in matrimonial finance of any set in London. “Looking at the cases through the door, around 60% is finance and then the rest is children,” Betts tells us. In the matrimonial finance realm, Jennifer Perrins has acted on behalf of a mother seeking financial provision for her children, in a long-running case involving a high net worth Russian couple. Elsewhere, on the children side, Naomi Wiseman was a leading junior in an application for wardship for a group of migrant children who were being unlawfully detained on the island of Diego Garcia.

The set has seen growth in the alternative dispute resolution space, such as private financial resolutions and arbitrations. But, as head of chambers James Roberts KC was quick to point out, “we have, since the very early days, been well ahead in adopting ADR with lots of qualified members.” In fact, “we have actively taken on more space to support it,” he adds, nodding to new meeting spaces.

Keeping around the 60 members mark, “we almost entirely recruit from our own pupils,” Roberts emphasises, “we have no intention of becoming a mega set; we are keen to preserve the characteristics and the advantages of it.” Talking about their mini pupillage experience, a junior shared: “There was a welcoming atmosphere. Everyone was generous with their time and willing to give me tips; they were very encouraging. It felt like somewhere I would fit in and feel comfortable.”

The Pupillage Experience

Pupillage at 1KBW is split into three four-month seats, each with a different supervisor, and with a practising second six. “We deliberately moved to four-month seats,” Katherine Kelsey KC, head of pupillage at 1KBW, tells us; “so, when pupils start on their feet, they are with the same supervisor at end of their first six and the beginning of their second. So they feel more able to say, ‘I’m having a bit of a panic,’ or ‘I’m worried about this, can you please help me?’” Pupils will spend time with specialists in finance and children work, alongside shadowing other members to ensure they get exposure to the full breadth of the set’s family practices.

In their first six, pupils will be working on predominantly live cases alongside their supervisors. For example, “in finance, I would regularly be drafting schedules of assets, position statements, orders and legal research,” a pupil shared, “likewise in children, research and drafting various documents.” In turn, this means they are also privy to a number of private FDRs and court hearings as well: “I had the opportunity to go to some quite complex multi-day trials, such as a public children case, to see that advocacy in action; it was fascinating,” one recalled.

“It is more about teaching in the first six and practice development in the second,” Kelsey explains. As such, the chambers run a series of masterclasses covering the basic principles in finance, private law, public law and child abduction, followed by another four more advanced sessions. “Each seminar is headed by a silk or senior junior. It is entirely Chatham House rules; pupils can turn up and ask any question they like, without the worry about it being fed back,” Kelsey details, with juniors also attending to provide practical advice. At the very end, a session is run by Judith Rowe KC, a former circuit judge, on hints and tips for pupils from a judicial perspective over tea and biscuits!

In addition, pupils complete about five advocacy exercises run by Tom Dance, the head of advocacy. Typically, these include a public law application, finance application and child abduction exercise, to replicate the types of briefs they will be instructed with. Receiving the papers and prepping as if it’s a real case, the pupils then do the exercise in front of a judge, following which detailed feedback is provided.

“The masterclasses and advocacy exercises were great opportunities to prepare myself, it meant I was more comfortable when I started on my feet…”

Come the second six, pupils then begin to take on their own work: “The masterclasses and advocacy exercises were great opportunities to prepare myself; it meant I was more comfortable when I started on my feet,” one pupil told us, “everyone was willing to help and people were always on the end of a phone if you had questions – it never felt as if you were on your own!” Building up to around three hearings a week, sources described working across finance, private children and public children cases, making applications under the Family Law Act.

In fact, juniors are expected to undertake the whole spectrum of work until about four years call. Then “they can come to us and say: ‘I want to concentrate on this’ and start to specialise,” Betts confirms. “In public law, for instance, you end up doing cross-examination and trials – heavier stuff earlier on than in the private world. We want to make sure they get that experience.”

As for the hours, “it’s quite clear that you’re not expected in the first six to work late. In the second six, you build up slowly; the clerks will have a discussion to determine what schedule you're comfortable with,” they reassured.

Alongside regular supervisor feedback, pupils also have two formal feedback sessions per seat with their supervisor and the head of the pupillage committee: “It is designed to take stock at regular phases of how they are progressing,” Kelsey explains. “If a pupil is falling a bit short, we can identify that and provide specific advice to improve. But also, it is important to sit them down to talk about their work and how they are doing.”

The tenancy decision rolls around at the AGM in June or July: “The recommendation is made by the filtering committee, although it is not binding and there is a chambers vote. There is the presumption the recommendation will be followed,” Kelsey emphasises. The recommendation itself is based on the supervisor’s reports, the pupils’ performance during the advocacy exercises, and any feedback from other members of chambers as well as solicitors, opponents and judges. Pupils have to attend an informal interview to confirm whether they would accept tenancy as well, prior to the vote.

The culture itself received positive reviews as well, particularly for the level of support: “There is a spectrum of seniority, but you never feel there is any hierarchy in terms of who you can talk to,” an insider told us. In an era of remote working, members choose to come into chambers, and “they come here for a reason, for the friendly and open culture,” a source agreed. Aside from the various networking events, it is not all work! Members will grab lunch together, enjoy pizza at a secret spot on Fridays and host events such as the Christmas party and welcome drinks for the new pupils.

The Application Process

1KBW does not process its applications through the Pupillage Gateway, rather it has its own application form which can be accessed on its website or by contacting the chambers. A singular panel who remains throughout the recruitment process, including a silk and other members of combined seniority and practices, reviews and marks each anonymised application themselves. Following a committee meeting, around 20 candidates are invited to the first-round interview.

Of course, academics are essential but “when they walk in, we’re looking for that ability to articulate themselves in a way that is mature, impressive and authentic,” Kelsey highlights, “if I was in the county court about to lose my children or my house, and this person walked in, do they instil confidence? We’re looking for that raw material to polish that diamond. These are going to be silks and High Court judges of the future, not just competent barristers.”

“…when they walk in, we’re looking for that ability to articulate themselves in a way that is mature, impressive and authentic. If I was in the county court about to lose my children or house, and this person walked in, do they instil confidence?”

At the first-round interview, candidates receive a written discussion piece on the day. “Sometimes it’s an ethical dilemma or a legal point,” Kelsey shares, “but it is about seeing how someone’s mind works and their critical thinking skills.” This is followed by some general interview questions. Around ten of the top candidates progress to the second round, which involves a slightly longer interview of around 45 minutes. Finalists will be given a choice of two topics to discuss: “It is much more legal-based, testing knowledge but always calibrated to bear in mind those coming straight from a law degree or their conversion year, so they can still shine,” Kelsey shares.

It never hurts to hear a few words of wisdom: “Only do it if you really want to do it. It has never been an easy profession to get into. You need to be resilient and targeted in where you go and why,” Kelsey tells us. For those starting out, “a mini pupillage is a great way of getting a sense of what a chambers is like, with the opportunity to meet various members,” a junior adds, “most law students won’t have studied family law, but show the steps they have taken to demonstrate that interest.”