Maitland Chambers

Why Maitland?

When choosing where to do your pupillage, it is important that you feel confident about the reputation of chambers. With 67 members, of whom 21 are silks, Maitland is generally recognised as a leading set of chambers in the field of Chancery commercial litigation. Our major appeal for you lies in the combination of high quality instructions we receive, the breadth of the work and the volume of advocacy we do. We are instructed in a huge range of cases, ranging from major international litigation to domestic contractual and property disputes of all kinds. The majority of our work is done in London, though we frequently advise and appear for clients in other parts of the United Kingdom and abroad. Recent high-profile cases have included multi-party litigation involving ten members of chambers in a Kazakhstan bank fraud; the Liverpool football club dispute and the Lehman bank insolvency.

What are we looking for?

We look for a first class mind, a sense of commercial practicality, and someone who will enjoy and be stimulated by the challenge of advocacy. You must have an aptitude for and general enjoyment of complex legal argument.

Training during pupillage

We regard a key purpose of pupillage to ensure that you are ready, on the first day of your tenancy, to undertake the work that Chambers does. You will sit with four different barristers during your time in Chambers; however you will spend your first three months with one supervisor so that you can find your feet and establish a point of contact which will last throughout your time in Chambers. At regular intervals throughout your time in chambers, you will participate in advocacy exercises. We are passionate about this aspect of our pupils’ professional development, as we believe that success in the profession ultimately depends upon a barrister’s level of accomplishment as a court advocate.

Funding and awards

A pupillage award of £60,000 for pupillage starting in October 2013 is offered to all pupils in chambers. Up to £20,000 of the award may be drawn down in advance during the BPTC year or to pay BPTC fees. The balance of the award is paid in instalments monthly in advance. Chambers operates an Income Guarantee Scheme during the first two years of practice and a loan scheme to assist during the first six months of tenancy.