OLPAS stands for On Line Pupillage Application System and can be accessed at the website www.pupillages.com. Chambers is a member of OLPAS and applications for 12 month pupillage are only considered through the OLPAS system. OLPAS operates two seasons for applications. Chambers is within the Summer Season which means that the deadline for applications is 30th April for a pupillage commencing in the October of the following year.

Chambers receives, on average, in excess of 300 applications for the four 12 month pupillages that we offer. Applications are downloaded from the OLPAS website and scrutinised by a panel of 5 to 7 members of Chambers to decide which applications merit an interview. No application may be rejected on the basis of one person's opinion alone.

We then interview between 60 and 80 applicants. These interviews are conducted by a panel of 3 to 5 members of Chambers and are fairly informal and relaxed in nature.

Applicants are scored against Chambers "standard criteria". The most promising 20 applicants then go forward for the second round. The first round interviews usually take place towards the end o May / beginning of June.

The second round interviews take place on a Saturday in July. These are based primarily upon a set problem given to applicants shortly before the interview commences. The interviewing panel consists of approximately 8-10 members of Chambers including at least one Queen's Counsel. Applicants are again assessed against the "standard criteria".

In respect of any applicant who has completed a mini-pupillage at these Chambers we shall look at the report prepared at the end of that mini-pupillage when considering the application for pupillage.

Any queries regarding recruitment of pupils should be sent to p.sharkey@9-12bellyard.com.