Recruitment

On purchasing our present premises in 2004, a complete refurbishment took place to create a building which accommodates and compliments the successful and expanding Chambers which it houses.

Our clients benefit from the use of two floors of conference rooms. For larger meetings, our board room is conveniently located on the ground floor whilst our lecture theatre can seat up to a hundred delegates and regularly hosts seminars, conferences and receptions on behalf of Chambers, the North Eastern Circuit and organisations such as the FLBA. The board room and lecture theatre are both dedicated audio visual suites, with facilities for PowerPoint presentations and video conference calls.

The chambers support team occupy their own floor and members are accommodated on three further floors of work space, including a dedicated library and lounge. The building is fully air-conditioned and wired and wireless high speed internet connections are available throughout. Chambers prides itself on being a modern set able to deal with digital instructions and the most up-to-date methods of communication.

Our building is listed but we have accessibility procedures for all employees, members and clients. If you have any concerns about accessing our facilities please see our accessibility policy and do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.

Positions available

Tenants

The civil team has a large volume of personal injury, fraud and commercial contract work to share. We are also looking to expand in areas of housing and employment. Applications to join any part of our civil team are welcome from talented and established practitioners of at least seven years' call.

Our family team have secured contracts with several local authorities and are particularly looking for experienced practitioners in the field of care work. Applications are also welcome from those expierienced in ancillary relief.

Chambers has a large and strong criminal team that welcomes applications from practitioners of more than seven years' call. The team undertakes diverse criminal work, with a strong presence in most court centres on the North Eastern Circuit.

Our Regulatory and Disciplinary team welcome applications from practitioners of at least seven years' call who have experience of regulatory law. We are particularly keen to recruit members who specialise in professional disciplinary work.

Anyone wishing to enquire about tenancy should contact, in confidence, our Head of Chambers, David Gordon.

Pupils

Details of vacancies can be found at http://www.pupillages.com/. The 2012 application form is available to download. Closing date for application is 12 noon on 4 May 2012.

Mini-pupils

Why Should I apply for a mini-pupillage and what does it involve?

A mini-pupillage at Sovereign Chambers is an ideal way to observe the work carried out by barristers and to assess whether or not life at the Independant Bar is for you.

Mini-pupils will be given the opportunity to meet and talk to a number of barristers in Chambers at all levels. Where possible, mini-pupils will also meet a member of the Pupillage Committee who can answer any queries about pupillage or the mini-pupillage process.

All members of Sovereign Chambers have thriving and busy practices that cover the whole of the North Eastern Circuit and beyond. As such, whilst all efforts will be made to ensure that you are accomodated in Leeds for your mini-pupillage, you may be expected to travel to court centres outside of Leeds.

It is a time during which you will be able to demonstrate your commitment to the profession, and your enthusiasm and personality.

Mini-pupils will be asked to give feedback on their experience and this will be taken into account when continuing to develop the process.

Mini-pupils will also be expected to sign a confidentiality agreement.

How and when should I apply for a mini-pupillage?

Chambers offer one mini-pupillage a week throughout the months of January to October. Only in exceptional circumstances will requests for mini-pupillages in November and December be considered. Applications will be considered all year round. However, if you wish to undertake a mini-pupillage in the summer months of any given year (June to September), then you should ensure that your application is submitted by no later than the 1st April of that year. All applicants will receive a response but this may not be immediate because of the way the applications are considered: Please do not panic or feel the need to continually follow up your application in that regard- rest assured it will be attended to!

In order to apply for a mini-pupillage, please send your CV, along with a thorough covering letter setting out your dates of availability and your reasons for wanting to come to Sovereign Chambers, by e-mail to Mrs Sally Beaumont at mini.pupils@sovereignchambers.co.uk.

In addition, you will be required to submit a passport photograph for memory purposes only. It is preferable that this is done at the time of your application (either by email or by post in a separate envelope).

You should also specify any particular preferences as to areas of law you might be interested in observing at this stage, although it is not possible to guarantee observation of work in any given area. Chambers will do their best to accomodate all requests.

Postal applications will be considered, but a response cannot be guaranteed, and an e-mailed application is preferable.

Priority will be given to applicants who are in their second year of university education or above, and in particular, to those who are in the process of applying for pupillage.

It is highly unlikely that chambers will be able to accommodate you if you are still at school or at sixth form.

There is no limit on the number of times that you can apply for a mini-pupillage.

How long does a mini-pupillage last?

Mini-pupillages last for one week. In exceptional circumstances, Chambers will consider applications for shorter periods and are sympathetic to those who are in full time employment in that regard.

Support team

Chambers prides itself on its very low turnover of support team members and many of our clerks have been with us for many years.

However, vacancies do arise occasionally so if you feel that you could contribute to our dynamic and professional support team please contact us.