Chambers boost pay in bid to attract top talent

updated on 06 January 2025

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Barristers’ chambers across the UK have implemented pay increases as they battle to attract the top aspiring barristers.

Pupillage awards have been hiked at the likes of 3PB, Blackstone Chambers, South Square and many others. 3PB introduced a 50% rise, with its pupillage award now sitting at £60,000 (up from £40,000), while Blackstone Chambers and South Square increased pay from £75,000 to £90,000 and £80,000, respectively.

Elsewhere, Fountain Court Chambers boosted pupil pay from £80,000 to £90,000, and Gatehouse, Henderson and Wilberforce Chambers went from £75,000 to £85,000, according to Legal Cheek.

Some of the pupillage awards are made up of a fixed amount, while others are split into initial awards and guaranteed earnings when a pupil is in a practising second six. As such, some pupils could earn more than the stated pupillage awards.

Despite these pupillage award boosts, chambers with a focus on legal aid work (eg, criminal and immigration) have only been able to offer aspiring barristers the Bar Standards Board’s minimum award, which from 1 January 2025 will be £24,203 for 12-month pupillages in London and £22,019 per year for pupillage outside London.