2BR - True Picture

2 Bedford Row pupillage review 2025

The Chambers

Serious crimes are a serious business. So, if it’s the heavy-duty end of life at the bar you’ve got your eye on as a prospective pupil, it’s a good idea to know the lay of the land. As one pupil at 2 Bedford Row put it: “It’s one of the top sets for serious crime work, where else would I go?” And they were right too, the Chambers UK Bar guide awards the set a top ranking for its crime work in London. The set is also ranked for its financial crime and health and safety work: “A large percentage of our work is now private client, so our disciplines are predominantly crime and fraud” explains head clerk John Grimmer.

“It’s one of the top sets for serious crime work, where else would I go?”

It is important for future criminal barristers to understand the sensitivity of the work they could be involved in, particularly at 2BR. Much of the work revolves around serious crimes like murder and manslaughter, people trafficking and organised crime. But while much of this kind of work is shrouded in confidentiality, the set doesn’t shy away from the kinds of cases that generate significant media attention either. For example, Jim Sturman KC acted for the defence of PC Wayne Couzens on the high-profile murder case of Sarah Everard. Another high-profile case saw Christine Agnew KC lead the prosecution of Kevin Spacey Fowler surrounding allegations of historical sexual offences.

As one former pupil told us, “it’s important to get as much exposure to advocacy work as possible, because once you reach tenancy, you dive right in!”. Pupillage runs over three sixes, increasing the pupillage at 2BR to a unique eighteen months. “We found that we were losing a lot of good people with the twelve-month system, because they weren’t ready” Allan Compton KC, head of the pupillage committee explains, “we recognise people develop at different places, so we think eighteen months is a fair amount of time to be ready for tenancy.” And the result of the change? “Our retention numbers have gone up!”

The Pupillage Experience

Pupils at 2BR can expect a relatively constant shadowing of their supervisor in their first six: “You are with them at breakfast, lunch and dinner, which is intense, but important for building those relationships” admitted one current pupil. Attending court alongside supervisors was highlighted as a major part of day-to-day life: “If my supervisor was at a trial, I was there too. I saw some big criminal cases like a rape trial and death by dangerous driving. It was so interesting to see!” However, it isn’t all bumping elbows with people in wigs and gowns - written assessments are opportunity for a pupil to show off everything they have learned. For example, “I did a lot of legal skeleton drafts, bad character applications and writing sentencing notes.”

“…it does sound daunting, but it will be more daunting in front of a real bench…”

Transitioning into the second six, pupils are expected to step up to the plate and “attend court from day one!” Pupils felt they benefitted from the large mix of work, like driving and domestic trials: “I even saw an animal cruelty case in the magistrate's court!” There is said to be a mix of private and legal aid, with a bigger percentage of the latter. The third six is said to be similar to the second, but “with built up responsibility and knowledge.” Not shockingly, “there is a lot of work to go around, I am busy busy busy!” The chambers were praised for providing pupils with advocacy training. This is where newbies learn how to cross examine and how to speak to a panel ranging from junior members to silks. Sound scary? A pupil confirmed that “it does sound daunting, but it will be more daunting in front of a real bench, so the extra help has improved us so much.”

To be frank, criminal barristers' hours don’t tend to be pretty: “There is no denying that the hours are long and those who are thinking about joining should know this in advance” stated a former pupil. To break it down, one pupil told us "my core hours are 9am-5pm, then I go home and log back on at 6pm to work my next case brief, logging off around 11pm.” Weekend work was said to be a regular occurrence with the pupil’s weekend clinics. And with all this court work, “one day I can be in court all day, on another it is dismissed it 30 minutes.” One thing that is consistent is the freedom for pupils to manage their own workload: “We are so lucky to get given real responsibilities that make me feel really valued in the chambers, the hours don’t feel long when you are enjoying it!”

Towards the end of the 18 months, there is also a mock trial a couple of weeks before the decision is made: “It sounds scary to have as an assessment, but it was fun. All members of the chambers come and support you,” a former pupil explained. Prospective tenants can expect the pupillage committee to act as members of the jury, with one of the heads of chambers acting as judge: “We had roughly two to three hours to show what we have learnt, but no mistake in it will rule us out,” added a pupil. As the tenancy decision looms, pupils have to submit a cover letter alongside some references. There must be at least ten external references and pupils can bring an unlimited number of international references. All references are vetted by Compton himself for fairness: “There is no policy for the number of places we have available, if the pupils are good enough, we will take them on!” he adds.

“…everyone is just a phone call away.”

“Despite pupillage feeling like a really long interview, there is really no competition between pupils, and we have been able to build stronger bonds in the cohort,” one told us. This friendliness is said to extend further than just the juniors too - when we asked what was the 2BR culture was like, everyone described it as “supportive.” The chambers' women's network got a shoutout, as “it's a very supportive female unit where you can ask questions and make connections.” Pupils can stay connected through the set’s WhatsApp chat and “everyone is just a phone call away” – something that was particularly helpful when attending court.

The Application Process

Prospective candidates apply to 2BR via the Pupillage Gateway: “We tailor questions very much to understand why Bedford Row and why crime. These two questions help us to identify the applicants that are in it for the long haul” explains Compton, “we get roughly 300+ applicants!” These applications are marked against “set criteria” and the mark is aggregated. Out of this number, between 40 and 50 applicants are selected for the first-round interview. Candidates can expect to receive a one-line legal topic to present on and discuss for one minute: “It could be anything from allowing cameras in the courtroom for broadcasting, to whether to wear wigs in the courtroom” Compton tells us. Timing is everything at this stage: “It needs to be one minute. If candidates are exceeding this, it shows poor judgement.”

At this stage, 20-25 of the top performing candidates will move on to a second-round interview. Starting bright and early, “the interview is more advocacy focused, looking at things like a bail application with a few tricks in it” explains Compton, “which they receive the day before the interview.” This will be in front of a panel of five members. “We also ask questions in depth about the candidate's application to better understand them and what makes them tick” Compton notes. Pupillage is offered to typically three candidates, but can vary depending on the successes at interview: “We want great quality candidates to take all the way to tenancy, so we wouldn’t just take someone on to fill numbers.”

So, what is 2BR’s ideal applicant? “It sounds basic, but a glass half full attitude and a smile on the face goes a long way” Compton says. He also made note to not fall into the trap of aiming for the ‘perfect’ advocacy: “We don’t want to hear candidates answers about what they think a barrister would answer. They should really listen to the questions and be themselves, this will raise the quality of the interview.” As one pupil recalled: “I made sure my application included evidence of advocacy experience, good grades, and a written commitment to the bar.”