Dedicated Family Law Specialists



"Impressive set with notable capabilities in family law that see it uphold a strong regional and national reputation." (Chambers and Partners Guide to the UK Bar)
We are one of the very few specialist family law sets outside of London. Our prime objective is to offer clients a modern, forward-thinking set of legal experts able to deliver specialist family advocacy and advice with the highest level of service.
"St Mary’s is a first port of call as there is genuinely a strength in depth with a good range of experienced counsel and a good record of bringing through pupils." (The Legal 500 2024)
Working in family law is demanding. That is why we make sure our culture is supportive, caring and fosters mutual respect. To get the best from you, we will give you a working environment that will help you achieve your goals. We will celebrate you for your unique skills and background.
"St Mary's Chambers has an excellent reputation as one of the leading sets in the Midlands area when it comes to family law matters’, hosting a strong team of practitioners with broad combined expertise" (The Legal 500 2025)
All our barristers are dedicated family law specialists. This means you will find unparalleled strength in depth and the right barrister with the appropriate level of technical experience.
Eleanor Hull - Currently completing her Pupillage
"From the moment I interviewed at St. Mary’s everyone was warm and encouraging. As I was offered pupillage prior to starting the bar course, I was offered opportunities to integrate into Chambers in the 18 months before beginning. This included being invited to Chambers conferences and networking events – ensuring that I felt welcomed before I even began pupillage.
During my first three weeks of pupillage, I had the opportunity to witness a breadth of family law matters and received regular feedback and mentorship. Every member of Chambers is supportive and genuinely wants to see you succeed. I look forward to completing my pupillage with St. Mary’s and continuing to learn from experienced and knowledgeable practitioners."
Eleanor Hull
We guarantee income of £30,000 during your pupillage year. This is divided into £12,000 in your first six and £18,000 guaranteed earnings in second six.
We will fund all compulsory courses and your travel expenses for shadowing your pupil supervisor.
Your supervisor will change every 4 months, allowing you to have access to a wide range of work and styles of advocacy.
You will see all areas of work which we work in:
- Financial Remedies
- Care
- Private Law
- Domestic Violence & Injunctions
You will receive regular feedback from your pupil supervisor and members of chambers who you shadow. You will also have a more junior 'buddy' who will offer informal support and guidance.
Our intention is to support and guide you through to the completion of pupillage and subsequent tenancy in Chambers.
Jaime Turner - completed pupillage in 2022-23
"The process of obtaining pupillage is a daunting one. It is vital that you join a chambers that is the right one for you. St Mary’s is incredibly supportive and the opportunity to work in an environment where I could develop and excel was what drew me there. Your supervisors and chambers want you to succeed and at St. Mary’s every pupil is taken on with the view to tenancy. Not only is this an exceptionally fortunate position but it there is a sense of true investment in development of each pupil. It allows you to demonstrate how well you perform with support, opportunity and encouragement."
"Pupillage is all about learning, these are my top tips to help you navigate the exciting challenge of a pupillage at St. Mary’s:
- Refine your research skills, ask questions and make good notes: developing the skills to find answers accurately and efficiently is an invaluable skill that you will continue to hone throughout pupillage.
- Prepare, prepare, prepare: there will be some long days, but it is essential that you prepare thoroughly for each case to get the most out of the experience.
- Remember wellbeing: pupillage can be tiring and there will inevitably be some days where you work long hours. Take some time to yourself during the quieter periods or at weekends to help ensure that you don’t burn out."
"Like with every learning process, your feeling of competence will ebb and flow throughout pupillage. Expect and embrace the never-ending development journey. Absorb feedback you receive, work diligently and conscientiously. Remember: mistakes are the portals of discovery, just try not to ‘discover’ too much at once."
Jaime Turner
Fleur Claoue de Gohr - Currently completing her Pupillage
"I’ve felt so welcomed by everyone in Chambers during my pupillage, no question feels silly, and everyone will make time to help you, it’s that collegiate and supportive atmosphere of everyone in Chambers makes St Mary’s an ideal environment for pupillage. There’s a real focus on pupils being given a wide and varied experience, and I feel like my pupillage has been personalised specifically for me based on my knowledge and experience. It’s that tailored experience that really sets a pupillage at St Mary’s apart from other sets and gives future pupils confidence that they are going to get the best training, from the best set, in what is a critical point in their career."
Fleur Claoue de Gohr
Contact us
Contact us if you have any queries about pupillage or life at St. Mary's.