Fountain Court |

Fountain Court is a long-established set of commercial barristers in the ‘magic circle’ and at the forefront of financial and commercial dispute resolution. Our members have a wide range of expertise across a range of practice areas and act in some of the highest profile and complex disputes.

Members of Fountain Court are recognised as leaders in a number of areas and offer a variety of legal services.

108 barristers, 44 silks, and 64 juniors. 

Whether a commercial dispute is unfolding in the UK, Europe or CIS states, Asia Pacific, the Caribbean, the Americas, the Middle East or Africa, members of Fountain Court have the necessary experience and track record to represent clients and encourage the best possible outcome. 

Our pupils have the opportunity to work with some of the brightest and most successful advocates in London and to be part of precedent-setting commercial cases, and we are committed to taking on all successful pupils as tenants after evaluation.

Fountain Court aims to take around four pupils for 12 months each pupillage year (starting in October) and is committed to taking on all successful pupils as tenants after evaluation. 

During pupillage, we feel there are enough pressures on pupils and we therefore design our pupillage training so as to not add to them unnecessarily. For example, Fountain Court’s pupils are not required to undertake any competitive advocacy exercises against each other, nor are they set the same pieces of assessed work. All work undertaken during pupillage is relevant to the practice of a member of chambers and is live work. We do not require our pupils to compete and instead evaluate each person individually based on merit.

Pupillage at Fountain Court is divided into four seats of three months duration. Pupils are not assessed during the first two months to allow them time to settle in. The first and last three months are spent with the same pupil supervisor, who has overall responsibility for the pupil’s training. The middle six months are spent with two different pupil supervisors to allow for greater exposure to more members’ practices.

From October 2026, each pupil will receive a total of £90,000, in the form of a first six-month award of £55,000, and a second six-month award of £35,000. The awards are payable monthly in advance during pupillage. The pupillage year runs from October to September.

Why Fountain Court Chambers? 

Exposure to the most stimulating work

Fountain Court gives pupils the opportunity to be a part of precedent-setting commercial cases. Pupils gain experience and work with members across all levels of seniority. All work undertaken during pupillage is relevant to the practice of a member of chambers and is live work.

Working with the brightest advocates

Pupillage at Fountain Court is an opportunity to work with some of the brightest and most successful advocates in London. We mentor and support pupils by offering tailored training during pupillage. This approach has a formative effect and one that is demonstrated in our successes in court.

Pupils are not in competition with one another

We evaluate each pupil individually based on their own merit and all pupils who meet the relevant standard will be offered tenancy.

An inclusive and supportive culture

We have a friendly, progressive and modern outlook. We compete for the top talent to secure a successful future for our chambers and clients. We want the best people to join us, regardless of background, race, gender or sexual orientation.

First rate staffing support

Fountain Court’s Clerks’ Room is recognised as one of the finest and most responsive at the Bar. Our administration and clerking teams are always on hand to assist members. As a leading set, we believe in providing the best possible quality of service all round.

Your application

Applications for pupillage at Fountain Court are made through the Bar Council’s Pupillage Gateway, a central clearing house requiring you to complete a single, standard application form listing your choice of chambers for pupillage.

The Bar Council has not yet confirmed the Pupillage Gateway dates that will be applicable to those applying for pupillage to start in 2027. We will update this information as soon as precise dates are known.

Fountain Court requires all applicants for pupillage to have completed an assessed mini-pupillage, save in exceptional circumstances. You should apply for a mini-pupillage in good time if you are considering a pupillage at Fountain Court. If you have not completed a mini-pupillage, your application for pupillage will be treated as an application for mini-pupillage in the first instance although there will inevitably be a very limited number of mini-pupillages available in such circumstances.

Selection criteria

The criteria by which we select our pupils, and ultimately our tenants are:

• Academic and intellectual ability.
• Advocacy and communication skills, including:
  • Clarity of expression;
  • Ability to think and respond under pressure; and
  • Potential capacity as advocate.
• Potential to be a successful self-employed practitioner at the Commercial Bar, including:
  • Interest and understanding in the type of work done by chambers;
  • Potential ability to work well with members of chambers, solicitors, clients, staff and other pupils; and
  • Determination, resilience and integrity.

We believe in and promote equal and fair treatment for all and are committed to creating an inclusive culture. We strive to retain and recruit talented individuals from all walks of life and regard this as essential to our standing as a leading commercial set.