Based in Derby Square, opposite Liverpool Crown Court, Exchange, which has almost 200 barristers, will take on the six pupils in September 2020

Liverpool’s Exchange Chambers is launching a pupillage academy offering six places in what will be the largest ever annual intakes of pupils by a barristers’ chambers.

Based in Derby Square, opposite Liverpool Crown Court, Exchange, which has almost 200 barristers, will take on the six pupils in September 2020 covering crime, commercial and common law. This is double the number the chambers has taken on annually in recent years.

Head of Exchange Chambers, Bill Braithwaite QC, said the new initiative was designed to widen access to the Bar for aspiring barristers. He explained: “The launch of a pupillage academy – in effect, a national centre of excellence for aspiring barristers – marks our commitment to the future of chambers and our confidence in the future of the Bar.

“While our pupillage academy represents a significant upfront investment, it is an investment in the future of chambers. The object is to encourage students at school and university, mentor those who are keen, help with the application process, provide a first-class pupillage and mentor new tenants for the first three years of tenancy.”

Between now and September 2020, Exchange Chambers will operate a bespoke mentoring scheme for its new pupils. Six barristers – Carly Sandbach, John Waiting, Sarah Griffin, Alex Williams, Harriet Hartshorn and Alexandra Sutton – will all act as mentors to the newcomers.

Tom Handley, chief executive at Exchange Chambers, added: “We are a multi-disciplinary set with an abundance of high-quality work at all levels, wide geographical coverage and outstanding barristers. Everything is in place to bring on the next generation of talent.

“Chambers’ strength in depth means that pupils will work with barristers who are leaders in their field. During their second six they will be in court virtually every day with the opportunity to generate significant income, build their practice and develop their advocacy skills.