- Address: Gray's Inn, London, WC1R 5NT
- Tel: 020 7831 8441
- Fax: 020 7831 8479
- Email: chambers@3vb.com
- Web: www.3vb.com
- Head of chambers: Mr Ewan McQuater QC, Mr Adrian Beltrami QC
- Apply through: Pupillage Gateway
- Deadline date: Pupillage Gateway deadline
Overview
| Pupillages offered: | Up to 4 |
|---|---|
| Tenants: | 80 |
| Tenancies in last 3 years: | 8 |
| Mini-pupillages: | Yes |
| Minimum qualification: | High 2.1 honours degree or equivalent |
Description of chambers
3 Verulam Buildings is one of London’s most highly regarded commercial sets of chambers, its members regularly involved in the leading cases of the day. Recent examples include PCP v Barclays, Manning & Napier v Tesco PLC, The Libyan Investment Authority v Société Générale, the RBS Rights Issue Litigation, Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton, Yukos v The Russian Federation, Terra Firma v Citigroup and Goldman Sachs International v Novo Banco SA. Members are also involved in numerous high-value and complex international arbitration disputes involving prominent corporate entities, energy majors and nation states. Over 70% of 3VB’s barristers are ranked in one or more legal directories, and its silks and juniors are frequently nominated for and awarded industry accolades for their achievements. 3VB prides itself on its professional expertise and the outstanding opportunities afforded to all tenants to build leading commercial practices. It is a forward-looking set providing a diverse, friendly and informal atmosphere with excellent practice managers, and spacious, first-class facilities.
Areas of work
3VB’s members are recognised as leading practitioners in a variety of the fields that make up international commercial practice: banking, financial services, commercial and contractual disputes, civil fraud, international arbitration, energy, natural resources & infrastructure, construction, insolvency, insurance, technology, IT and telecoms, media & entertainment, and professional negligence.
Who should apply
Commercial practice is demanding and 3VB seeks the brightest and the best. The characteristics we seek in our recruits are a high level of intellectual and analytical ability, very strong oral and written advocacy skills and the temperament and determination to succeed at the competitive commercial Bar. We aim to nurture those qualities during pupillage and in the early years of practice. As a general guide an applicant will be unlikely to reach the first round of interviews without a good 2.1 in their undergraduate studies (as well as a good record on the GDL where applicable). Many successful applicants have a first or a Master’s degree, or both.
Pupillage programme
Pupils sit with four pupil supervisors for three months each over the year. 3VB’s pupil supervisors are high achievers at various levels of seniority, and pupils have the opportunity to work with many other members of chambers as well as their supervisors. Pupils are exposed to a range of cases and to top-quality expertise from which to learn their skills, all in an encouraging and supportive environment, to ensure as far as we can that they perform to the best of their ability during their pupillage year. During the practising six months, pupils are given the opportunity to undertake advocacy on their own account, in order to build up experience and earnings. Tenancy at 3VB is offered to all pupils who make the grade.
How and when to apply
3VB offers up to four twelve-month pupillages per year (including deferred pupillages). 3VB is a member of the Pupillage Gateway and, save for established practitioners and other applicants who have obtained dispensation from the BSB from the requirement to undertake pupillage, we invite all applicants to make their application via the Pupillage Gateway website.
Mini-pupillages
Two-day mini-pupillages are an essential part of chambers’ selection procedure; prospective applicants for pupillage are strongly encouraged to apply for a mini-pupillage; please visit the 3VB website – www.3vb.com/pupillage/mini-pupillage.
Sponsorship details
The pupillage award is £65,000 per annum, excluding second-six earnings. Up to £20,000 of this award can be drawn down during the year before pupillage.
