At New Park Court Chambers, we do things a little differently. With a total of 74 barristers, including 13 King’s Counsel, our reach and influence stretches far beyond the bounds of our Circuit.
As a Tier 1 Set based in Leeds and Newcastle we are home to a number of high profile and nationally and internationally reputable Counsel.
At New Park Court Chambers, we do things a little differently. With a total number of 74 barristers, including 13 King’s Counsel, our reach and influence stretches far beyond the bounds of our Circuit.
As a Tier 1 Set based in Leeds and Newcastle we are home to a number of high profile, nationally and internationally reputed counsel, as well as as those in the early stages of their careers, whose developing practices will see them as the future of the Bar. Our wider team are also well known and well respected for delivering a stellar service across clerking and strategic business operations.
We have a reputation for shaping the world around us. We are home to the Circuit Leader of the North Eastern Circuit, a former Chair of the Bar and elected serving members of the Bar Council. We also have a number of Recorders within our ranks, covering various disciplines, as well as holding the privilege of being the former Chambers of a number of well-known Circuit Judges across England and Wales.
You will also find us leading and driving learning, education, charity endeavours and wellbeing across our Circuit. This is in addition to the number of lecturing roles our people hold at Universities within the region as well as being volunteer mentors.
Our Clerking, Finance and Support team are regularly commended for the service they provide and their commitment; which is echoed across the entire Chambers family.
Importantly, we recognise and embrace our societal responsibility to be a force for good; in the community, across Circuit and at The Bar.
“During your pupillage with us, you will be given the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the most highly regarded barristers on the Circuit and beyond. We will nurture you, encourage you and support you to be the best you can be throughout your pupillage, with the intent of giving you the finest start to a career at the Bar.”
Nicholas Lumley KC, Head of Pupillage
New Park Court Chambers is wholly committed to making the world a better place.
We are well represented on our Circuit Diversity Committee and are leading our peers on a number of initiatives aimed at removing bias, unconscious or otherwise, from how the industry manages recruitment and the fair allocation of work.
We are proud supporters and participants of 10,000 Black Interns, we have a committed core of LGBTQ+ Activists and Allies and are prominent in supporting, enabling and promoting those from the lower end of the socio-economic pyramid to reach their potential.
We are also proud of our culture and ethos of ensuring that we are a welcoming, collegiate and safe environment for all. Which is reinforced through our partnership with The Diversity Trust.
We take our Environmental, Societal and Governance (ESG) responsibilities incredibly seriously. We are delighted to be one of a small group of Chambers to be certified as a Carbon Negative organisation.
New Park Court awards pupillages to outstanding candidates who have a strong desire to succeed at the Bar. Successful candidates will have a proven academic record, attaining a minimum of a 2:1 or equivalent at degree level. Only in exceptional circumstances will we consider applicants who have not reached this level and appropriate evidence of such circumstances should be included with your application.
Chambers offer up to two pupillages per year, based at either Leeds or Newcastle. The completion of a mini-pupillage in Chambers, whilst not essential, is of assistance to the Pupillage Committee when considering applications. Pupillage vacancies are advertised via the Pupillage Gateway.
Whilst you will be challenged and required to contribute to Chambers’ expected high standards, in return you can expect an exceptional level of support and training to equip you with the necessary skills and experience to set you on a path to a fulfilling career and life at the Bar.
Pupillage Applications – 5 tips to make it through by Ryan Donoghue
The Pupillage Committee at New Park Court Chambers strives to provide first class training and a thorough grounding to equip the pupil for life at the Bar. We offer a 12 month pupillage and guarantee earnings throughout that period. We fund compulsory and non-compulsory courses and authorise travel expenses for those incurred outside of the Leeds or Newcastle area.
At the start of pupillage at New Park Court Chambers, the pupil will familiarise themselves with the practice of their pupil supervisor(s). The pupil is then encouraged to see and assist in work conducted by other practitioners at all levels including those involved in “led” work and major litigation. The success of this has been in the fact that the majority of recent pupils and recent tenants have been instructed in many areas of work including major litigation and public inquiries.
It is our practice that the pupils are not left to work alone and they have access to interactions with other members of Chambers. In particular a collegiate working environment is encouraged.
New Park Court Chambers understands the financial pressure on those early years post pupillage and offers a reduced commission rate for tenants in their first three years of practice.
The 5th of May; the day all prospective barristers work towards with excitement and dread. The day which can hold highs for so many yet rejection for others. The 5th of May 2021 was the day I accepted pupillage at New Park Court Chambers, and I haven’t looked back since.
I joined New Park Court Chambers in March 2020, and in the relatively short time since then I have supervised the pupillage of Chambers’ most recent tenant, Gabrielle Wilks.
I’ve been a tenant at New Park Court Chambers since 2018, having secured pupillage to commence in September 2017. I applied to New Park Court Chambers initially due to my previous experience gained at chambers while on a mini-pupillage.
