About 2DRJ
2DRJ is a well-established set which was founded in 1988. Our Head of Chambers is Mark Love and our Chambers Clerking Director is Steve Lavell who together have been leading Chambers since 1999.
2DRJ has long been a common law set with a focus on Crime & Family, with many of our tenants also undertaking civil, regulatory and animal welfare work. Since we are always keen to hear from those who are considering a career at the Bar, 2DRJ provides mini pupillages.
Application Process
The aim of our mini-pupillages is to help people to decide whether a career at the Bar is for them and to expose them to relevant and appropriate experience of our work to that end. The process of selection for mini-pupillage is entirely separate from the pupillage process and acceptance/rejection of an application for mini-pupillage is not an indication of the likely outcome of any application for pupillage. During that week mini pupils can expect to attend Court, attend conferences and read paperwork whilst shadowing a number of different barristers. We aim to give all mini pupils as broad and varied an experience of life in chambers as possible.
Unlike other Chambers our mini pupillage applications are open all year and not defined by Legal Terms. We do offer limited places.
If you are interested in applying for a mini pupillage, please send your CV and single page covering letter, both in PDF format, to rachel.hawkes@2drj.com.
Please use the subject line ‘Mini Pupillage Application’.
Your cover letter must also detail whether you prefer to undertake a criminal mini pupillage, a family mini pupillage or if you seek to do both. You must also include the dates you are unable to undertake a mini pupillage as successful applicants will be assigned dates to undertake their mini pupillage in their acceptance email.
Before your first day of Mini Pupillage
We ask that you call into Chambers on the Friday before you start slightly before 17:30 to allow the clerks to allocate you a case to follow. They will give you the details of the barrister you will be shadowing so that you can contact them to confirm meeting time and place.
In the event that you need to cancel or postpone your mini pupillage please do so by email with as much notice as possible
Mini Pupillage FAQ
Business attire – a dark suit or equivalent
No, they are unfunded.
Usually they are 5 days long but can be shorter if you cannot commit for a full working week. Let us know in your cover letter.
You will be sent to courts within London unless you specify a preference for work outside of London (and we have appropriate cases outside of London for you to shadow)
No, they are not assessed.
You do not need to have finished your degree yet, but applicants should generally be second year and above. A slight priority will be given to those currently on, or have completed, the BTC (or equivalent) due to the backlog of applicants caused by the Pandemic.
No, but you need to evidence an interest in coming to the Bar.
