Chambers profile
South Square is recognised as a leading set of commercial barristers. Our members have acted in many of the most important insolvency, restructuring, banking, commercial, company and fraud related disputes of recent times – including Lehman Brothers, Madoff, Saad, Galapagos, Primeo, Greensil and Virgin Atlantic.
Whilst our pre-eminent reputation is built on a track record in restructuring and insolvency, our expertise in banking and finance enables members to provide practical and commercial solutions to a wide range of complex business law issues.
Type of work undertaken
Insolvency & Restructuring, Banking & Finance Litigation, Commercial, Company Law, Arbitration & Media, Offshore, Civil Fraud, Sport, Insurance, Trust & Property
Pupil profile
Chambers looks to recruit up to three high calibre pupils with a strong academic record and the potential to become an outstanding commercial barrister. The minimum academic qualification is a 2:1 degree. Pupils are selected from a broad range of backgrounds and experience, whether recent university graduates or those seeking a second career at the Bar. Several of our members have degrees in law and some the BCL or other postgraduate qualifications. Others have non-law degrees and have gone on to take the GDL. A few have started their career in another sector before becoming a barrister.
Pupillage
Chambers provide 12-month pupillage opportunities. Applicants must apply through the Pupillage Gateway. We all also offer third six pupillages and applications are accepted on an ad hoc basis. At the outset of pupillage, we anticipate offering pupils tenancy. Pupils receive feedback from their supervisor at the end of every seat, so they are aware if they are on track and meeting the required level. It should be noted that pupils are not competing with one another for a place in Chambers.
Mini-pupillages
Chambers also offers funded and un-funded mini-pupillages between April-July and September-November – see chambers’ website for further details
www.southsquare.com/pupillage.
Funding and benefits
Pupils receive awards of £75,000 per annum (reviewable annually). £20,000 of the pupillage award may be paid in advance for living expenses during the BPTC. As a junior tenant you would receive a number of benefits including: subsidised travel and conference fees, no rent during your first 15 months of tenancy and no receipts charge for the first six months, subsidised membership of key professional associations for the first two years, and assistance and training in financial planning and business development.
Diversity, inclusion and wellbeing
Diversity and inclusion are extremely important to the members and staff of South Square. Our Pupillage and Diversity and Inclusion Committee work closely with external organisations including the Bar Council, COMBAR, 10,000 Black Interns Programme, the Black Talent Charter, Women in Law Pledge and Rare Recruitment. Chambers also work with a number of charities and initiatives that are committed to providing access to justice for all. We are proud supporters of Advocate, a charity that provides legal assistance for people who cannot get public funding and are unable to pay for a barrister. All incoming pupils are provided with a mentor at the start of pupillage. Pupils are encouraged to meet with their mentor on a regular basis. We also organise lunches/dinners with the most recent juniors every 2-3 months for pupils to socialise and discuss their pupillage journey thus far.
See chambers’ website for further details
www.southsquare.com/about us
