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Old Court Chambers, Middlesbrough
Please be advised Old Court Chambers, Middlesbrough are no longer recruiting for a pupillage for 2011.

Clearing pool applications

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You can apply to clearing at any time. In the first-round, once you have made a first round application, you can then make a clearing application at any time. After the first round has closed, candidates who did not put in a first round application can register and submit a clearing application.

Clearing applications are not made to any specific chambers. The application will be put into the clearing pool where it can be accessed by any chambers that has a vacancy. Therefore the question ‘give reasons for your choice of chambers’ is not applicable.

Fresh clearing applicants will fill in the entire form. Those who entered the first round will need to log on to access their form on Pupillage Portal and then will only change the last two sections of the form: ‘application questionnaire’ and ‘additional information/covering letter’. If a candidate entered the first round and has since received their GDL/BVC/degree results, then they can mention these in one of the last two sections of the form.

The clearing pool opens on 1 October 2010, when chambers with unfilled vacancies will be able to search the pool for suitable candidates. Clearing applications can be made at any time up until clearing closes on 29 October 2010. However, we advise you to submit your Clearing application later in the year as you cannot update any details once it is submitted.

Please refer to the Pupillage Portal timetable to keep up-to-date

If you are a new applicant click Register

If you are an existing applicant please Log On

PUPILLAGE PORTAL

Welcome to Pupillage Portal, the Bar’s new official online pupillage application system. We hope you will enjoy using this website and that you will find it to be a significant enhancement on the functionality previously available to you through the Bar’s previous online applications system (OLPAS).

First-round applications are currently under consideration. If you have already registered please Log on to check the status of your application(s).

HERE YOU CAN

  1. Browse a list of ALL pupillage providers in England and Wales.
  2. View Chambers information.
  3. Make a Clearing application to Pupillage Portal (search for chambers interested in Clearing applications).
  4. Find out how to apply to those chambers that outside of Pupillage Portal (also known as non OLPAS chambers).
  5. Find information on chambers offering mini-pupillages.

REGISTRATION FOR CLEARING

In order to access the online application form applicants must register for Clearing with the system. You will need to complete the following steps to complete your registration:

  1. Click Search pupillage providers interested in Clearing applications via the link on the menu on your left.
  2. If you have not previously registered click Register for Clearing.
  3. You will be asked to accept the Terms & Conditions for using Pupillage Portal. Then click Continue.
  4. Enter your name, e-mail, password and correspondence addresses and click Continue. Your registration is complete.
  5. You will then be able to complete the Pupillage Portal application form in your own time.


ABOUT PUPILLAGE PORTAL

Unlike the previous OLPAS system, Pupillage Portal operates just one season, which starts in March each year. Each person is able to apply to up to 12 OLPAS chambers as well as make one ‘clearing’ application using the site and to tailor each application to the individual set to which they are applying.

Unlike the old system, which contained no clearing period, Pupillage Portal replaces the previous Autumn season with a clearing system that allows all chambers, with remaining vacancies, to search and view all clearing applications within the system, giving every candidate, still looking for a place, with the opportunity to have their form seen. Candidates are strongly recommended to make their ‘clearing’ applications attractive to a wide cross section of the Bar to increase their chances for being noticed. N.B. Candidates in clearing will be approached by interested chambers through the Pupillage Portal and should not contact those chambers directly.

Further information, including important dates, is set out in the Candidate Guidance above and candidates are strongly recommended to read this section before using the system.