4 Pump Court - True Picture

4 Pump Court pupillage review 2025

The Chambers

In the heart of the capital, tucked away from the hustle and bustle, you’ll find 4 Pump Court. But don’t let the historic charm of its setting lead you to think they’re stuck in the past: “Nowadays, we’re best described as a full-service commercial set,” joint senior clerk Stewart Gibbs proudly tells us, “we cover the spectrum of commercial contracts disputes, and we’ve always been, in our view, on the cusp of the magic circle sets.” Pretty much evenly split between commercial and construction, a quick look at the set’s rankings in the Chambers UK Bar guide will tell you that they excel at both. The set bags rankings across construction, energy & natural resources, international arbitration (construction/engineering), property damage and shipping & commodities, as well as top-tier rankings in professional negligence (in construction) and information technology.

“…we cover the spectrum of commercial contracts disputes, and we’ve always been, in our view, on the cusp of the magic circle sets.”

The set’s evolution over the years has resulted in a situation where “broadly speaking, half of our work is litigation and the other half arbitration” Gibbs details, “the majority of the arbitration has an international element. Even if it not ‘out and out’ ICC rules, there will be an international party in some shape or form.” Over a decade ago, the set established a hub in Hong Kong. As Gibbs puts it: “The Far East and Middle East are key jurisdictions of interest, with outbound projects, investors and contracts linked to projects globally.”

As one pupil emphasized, “4 Pump Court does serious shipping work but not only that. It has a depth and breadth of strengths which is unique.” To provide something of a snapshot – on the international stage, Simon Davenport KC acted in Ellis Richards and others v the State of Trinidad and Tobago, a case which revolved around the financial bailout of CLF and its subsidiaries. Navigating the rocky waters of shipping, James Leabeater KC and Edward Jones successfully represented owners seeking the redelivery of two ferries following a change of control terminations. And, if that wasn’t enough, in one of the first cases of its kind before the English courts, Rachel Ansell KC and Lynne McCafferty KC represented the manufacturer Kingspan against a claim concerning a development which incorporated three different cladding systems on the grounds of s.149 of the Building Safety Act 2023.

“…and that’s by design, to have the lowest responsible ratio of barristers to clerks.”

So, what’s on the horizon? The headline goal is to become “a technical magic circle set” Gibbs confirms. “Our overall ambition will see the fusion of our different areas, coupled with maintained organic and high calibre growth which applies not only to our complimentary lateral hires but our pupillage process.” Marking another step in the right direction, “our clerking team has increased from five to fifteen,” Gibbs adds, “and that’s by design, to have the lowest responsible ratio of barristers to clerks.” The set is split into five teams (with roughly five barristers per clerk) which, Gibbs is quick to point out, “gives management more time to their best work, both internally and externally.” As one pupil put it: “From day one, everyone is involved in your practice. My team was responsible for getting me on this arbitration secondment, which I’m grateful for, as they knew that it aligned with my interests and my career ambitions.”

The Pupillage Experience

Pupillage at 4PC consists of four three-month seats, each with a different supervisor. As pupillage committee member Alex Wright KC explains, “the aim is to ensure that pupils have seen a good spread of chambers’ work. They might have one seat more focused on construction, then shipping and insurance – covering all the specialist areas to have a flavour of them.” Pupils spend the first six alongside their supervisors before embarking on a practicing second six.

A pupil’s first six is generally a mix of live and dead work, from discrete research notes to drafting advices and pleadings: “Your supervisor will review your work and informally give feedback on each piece. It’s incredibly helpful for your development.” This feedback comes at the end of each seat. Pupils also complete two written assessments that are blind-double marked, and two oral advocacy assessments, one of each in the first and second seat. The oral assessments – one a solo application and the other an opposed application to their co-pupil – are presented to a panel of three. A pupil reflected: “It sounds scary, but it was great fun as it was like a real case you decide what you want in agreement or dispute. It mimics what real life advocacy is like!”

“In the commercial court, there is a big push for juniors to have that advocacy experience.”

Come their second six, pupils will have their own caseload and advise on small commercial matters, dipping their toes in the water with road traffic accidents and PPI hearings across the county courts: “It’s always been something we’ve regarded as important” Wright highlights, “In the commercial court there is a big push for juniors to have that advocacy experience.” Consequently, pupils can expect two hearings a week. As for the written work, one recalled that “oneadvice was to do with an investment in a private school and a shareholder’s dispute. Towards the end it was advices on obscure points of Caribbean law. So, a lot of variety!” It’s worth noting that pupils continue to assist their supervisors and other members on matters too.

Pupils valued the support structures in place, with their supervisors offering advice on everything from court proceedings to case strategies: “We’d sit down, I’d explain the cross-examination strategy and then go through possible case theories” one former pupil praised. There are also guides to the county court containing handy tips available and a baby juniors WhatsApp group “which is not only great for chatting but also anytime anyone has a question that might be slightly esoteric.” After pupils are taken on, they share an office for two years - with a recruit from the year above and then below – supporting ongoing learning and mentorship.

When it comes to hours, “they’re very strict about making sure you keep to normal working hours as a pupil – 9:00 – 6:30pm” one confirmed, “and that is still very much the case in second six. If you’re roped into an ongoing matter with an urgent deadline then on occasion you might have to work late, but that’s very much voluntary” they reassured. We heard that members enjoy a weekly lyrics competition where juniors all the way to KCs respond at lighting speed! Chambers lunches and teas, pub socials and trivia nights, celebrations and seasonal events shape the social life. Alongside the anchor days on Wednesdays and Thursdays which strengthen “the friendliness, energy in every sense of the word, and collegiality” at 4PC. Here “people are constantly dropping in and out of each other’s rooms saying ‘hello’, talking about thorny legal issues or just chatting about their weekend.”

The tenancy decision is made mid-way through second six. A panel of nine make up the tenancy committee, from silks to more junior barristers and pupil supervisors. “There is no scoring system” Wright explains, “it’s a much more holistic approach, looking at the results from the formal exercises, supervisors’ appraisals, and any other additional information, for example if pupils have carried out work for other members and feedback from solicitors and clients in their second six.” Then the recommendation is sent to the heads of chambers. With applause all round, Wright was pleased to report “we’ve had a 100% track record over the last six years!”

The Application Process

Applications to 4PC happen outside the Pupillage Gateway but run to similar timetables. With two pupillages up for grabs, prospective pupils submit an initial application which is reviewed against published criteria. As pupillage committee member Iain Munro explains: “We appreciate that the people who are coming to us are at the beginning of their journey, so we’re looking for potential. We’re looking for those who can leverage all the wealth of their experiences up to date to show us they have the talent to succeed at the bar and become exceptional advocates.” Applications are reviewed by a senior and more junior member of chambers to ensure a consistent standard. Some words of wisdom from one former pupil: “Make sure the form is perfect! Reread it, check it for small errors. Make sure it’s communicating the information chambers needs to show them why you should get a maximum mark.” This is absolutely vital as there is a massive paper sift with only 16 or so of the top scoring candidates progressing to the first-round interview!

As Munro explains, the first-round interview is made up of three parts: “Stage one revolves around talking about a specific legal question which anyone can answer, as we anticipate having people on the GDL and law conversion course all the way up to people with more experience.” Half are then shortlisted for the final round interview. The interview panel expands with the addition of another silk and junior. The final interview is half an oral-advocacy exercise which candidates receive in advance and then more competency and application-based questions.

“You’re applying to be an advocate, so treat everything as an opportunity to be an advocate, first and foremost, for yourself…”

So how should a prospective candidate approach the process? “You’re applying to be an advocate, so treat everything as an opportunity to be an advocate, first and foremost, for yourself,” Munro emphasises, “think creatively about how you can fit your experiences to our criteria. There is tendency to think that if it’s not mooting or debating then it isn’t advocacy, but there are plenty of other ways to do so. It might be giving workshops or running a café operation with lots of difficult clients all coming at once.” What’s more, when it comes to the written application, one former pupil added that “it is really important for us that you put extenuating circumstances on your form. If you’ve had a bereavement, caring responsibilities, or if you were affected because of disruption during COVID, we have the discretion to provide additional marks. People rarely do, which is why I emphasize that they should.”