The Pupillage Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Pupillage Podcast
[2019] 1 PUP POD 101
From Middle Temple, this is The Pupillage Podcast, hosted by Georgina Wolfe and Beatrice Collier. Available on Soundcloud, Spotify, iTunes and Mixcloud. Twitter: @pupillagepodca1
For the final episode of the Pupillage Podcast, we look into the future: what lies ahead for the Bar? Are the robots coming for our wigs and gowns? We heard from three guests who have given this a lot of thought and found that the changes ahead are bigger than we could ever have imagined…
Guests
Jamie Susskind: author, speaker and barrister at Littleton Chambers http://www.littletonchambers.com/barrister/jamie-susskind/ and https://www.jamiesusskind.com/. To follow Jamie on Twitter @jamiesusskind and you can buy Future Politics here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Future-Politics-Living-Together-Transformed/dp/0198825617/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1537175876&sr=1-1&keywords=jamie+susskind+future+politics
Alex Glassbrook: barrister at Temple Garden Chambers https://tgchambers.com/member-profile/alex-glassbrook/ and author of the Law of Driverless Cars: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Law-Driverless-Cars-Introduction/dp/1911035282
Dr Christopher Markou: Fellow of Jesus College Cambridge https://www.law.cam.ac.uk/people/cp-markou/6574
Useful Links
A futurist’s reading list:
Future Politics by Jamie Susskind: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Future-Politics-Living-Together-Transformed/dp/0198825617/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1537175876&sr=1-1&keywords=jamie+susskind+future+politics
‘Tomorrow’s Lawyers’ by Richard Susskind Forthcoming book by Richard Susskind ‘Online Courts and the Future of Justice’: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Online-Courts-Justice-Richard-Susskind/dp/0198838360/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=online+courts+and+the+future+of+justice+susskind&qid=1565944646&s=gateway&sr=8-1
‘Hello World’ by Hannah Fry https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hello-World-How-Human-Machine/dp/1784163066/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1565946419&sr=1-1
For the decision of Leggatt J (as he then was) referred to by Alex Glassbrook: Gestmin SGPS S.A. v Credit Suisse [2013] EWHC 3560 (Comm) https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Comm/2013/3560.html
‘Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O’Neill by https://smile.amazon.com/Weapons-Math-Destruction-Increases-Inequality/dp/0553418815/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_g3905707922?_encoding=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0&ie=UTF8
‘The Black Box Society’ by Frank Pasquale https://smile.amazon.com/Black-Box-Society-Algorithms-Information/dp/0674970845/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21KT2GUNTQ3VD&keywords=black+box+society&qid=1565968786&s=gateway&sprefix=black+box+so%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C276&sr=8-1
‘Novacene’ by James Lovelock https://smile.amazon.com/Novacene-Coming-Age-Hyperintelligence-Press/dp/0262043645/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=novacene&qid=1565968810&s=gateway&sr=8-1
Glossary
ADM: Automated Decision Making, the process of making a decision by automated means without any human involvement e.g. a refund for an Amazon purchase to be returned; an online decision to award a loan.
Blockchain: a secure, encrypted, peer-to-peer transaction ledger used to record transactions
AI: Artificial Intelligence, an area of computer science which aims to create ‘intelligent’ machines (computers).
What if you are doing the GDL or the BPTC, or you’re searching for pupillage or busy doing pupillage or you’re finally practising as a barrister… but you have a nagging feeling that you’re the wrong person in the wrong place? And it’s not just that you don’t want to be a barrister, but – horror of horrors – you don’t want to be a lawyer. This episode is a little different from the others: in it we hear from people who have decided to move away from the law. Our guests tell us how it felt to come to the realisation that they wanted to get off the road marked ‘lawyer’ and travel somewhere else; what practical steps they took to create their new careers and why it is that a training in law stands you in good stead no matter where you end up. We loved hearing about their experiences – we hope you do too!
Guests Katrina Kutchinsky: for more information about Katrina, see http://leagueofher.com/katrina-kutchinsky-founder-story/ Katrina’s PR company: https://www.akacomms.com/ and follow her on Twitter @katrina_KK
Kathryn Perera: Director of NHS Horizons, @kathrynperera
Alex Aldridge: founder and publisher of Legal Cheek www.legalcheek.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-aldridge-99728913/?originalSubdomain=uk and follow Alex on twitter @AlexAldridgeUK
Olivia Potts: cordon bleu patissiere https://ahalfbakedidea.co.uk/, writer, author of A Half Baked Idea available here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Half-Baked-Idea-courtroom- Cordon/dp/0241380456/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=half+baked+idea&qid=1565876083&s=book s&sr=1-1 and follow Olivia on twitter: @_Poots_ and Instagram @ahalfbakedidea
Alex Macqueen: actor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Macqueen and follow him twitter: @Alex_Macqueen
What if you love the idea of being a lawyer but, in the end, don’t really fancy being a barrister? There are so many varied and exciting careers to be had under the rubric ‘lawyer’. In this episode we explore a few of the alternatives, and hear from our guests what the world is like beyond the Bar.
Guests Christina Blacklaws: President of the Law Society until 2019: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinablacklaws/?originalSubdomain=uk EJ Johnston Hawke: trainee solicitor at Edwards Duthie Shamash, https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ej-johnston-hawke-42132343 Millicent Grant: President of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives July 2018-July 2019 https://www.cilex.org.uk/about_cilex/the_cilex_council_archive/the_cilex_president Master Lisa Osofsky: Director of the Serious Fraud Office https://www.sfo.gov.uk/about-us/biographies/
Useful Links Young Legal Aid Lawyers: http://www.younglegalaidlawyers.org Becoming a legal aid lawyer: https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/where-to- start/newsletter/becoming-a-legal-aid-lawyer Chartered Institute of Legal Executives: www.cilex.org.uk Serious Fraud Office careers: https://www.sfo.gov.uk/about-us/careers/ Law society of England and Wales: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk
Glossary Magic Circle firm: name given to the group of five city law firms in London considered to be ‘the best’ (Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters, Slaughter and May).
Legal Aid work: legal aid is state funding for individuals unable to pay for legal representation in criminal, and some housing, family and immigration cases. Legal aid work is work in these areas. The fees are paid by the state, and administered by the Legal Aid Agency. SFO: Serious Fraud Office a specialist prosecuting authority tackling the top level of serious or complex fraud, bribery and corruption. The SFO takes on a small number of large economic crime cases involving serious or complex fraud.
After 12 months of pupillage you’re told you’re not going to be offered tenancy. It’s really tough, there’s no doubt about it. But it’s most definitely not the end of the world lots of highly successful barristers (and some judges!) have done third sixes. In this episode our guests remind you to keep in mind how far you’ve come, encourage you to be proactive and tell you how to pivot quickly, figure out your place in the market and bag a third six. They also give you some top tips for how to handle that third six, impress chambers and and convert pupillage into tenancy.
Guests Ryan Turner, barrister at Lamb Chambers: https://www.lambchambers.co.uk/who-can- help-you/barristers/ryan-turner Olivia Potts, former barrister and now cordon bleu baker: https://ahalfbakedidea.co.uk on twitter @_poots_ and Instagram @ahalfbakedidea Alistair Richardson, barrister at 6 KBW College Hill https://www.6kbw.com/people/barristers/alistair-richardson
Useful Links The list of chambers recruiting for third sixes: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/careers/third- six-vacancies-and-best-practice/ Some more information on the STAR interview technique: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-is-the-star-interview-response-technique-2061629
Last year data protection law firmly made its presence felt in all of our lives when we got dozens of emails about privacy notices and the GDPR: as Christopher Knight, one of our guests on today’s episode points out, data protection applies to everyone everywhere. So what does that mean for a data protection law practice? And what is the difference anyway between data protection law and information law? Meanwhile, the news is full of issues which potentially concern planning and environmental lawyers, from HS2’s troubles to the housing crisis, to Extinction Rebellion’s demands for a reduction in carbon emissions, and the Mayor of London’s commitment to a reduction in air pollution. We wanted to investigate what it’s like to have a practice in these areas of law, so in this episode we talk to barristers Christopher Knight and James Pereira QC about their respective practices in Data and Information Law and Planning and Environmental law. We learn how to keep calm amongst the Data Protection Act’s subclauses, and why a planning practice is partly about listening to people’s stories and selling a vision of the future.
Guests Christopher Knight: barrister at 11KBW https://www.11kbw.com/barristers/christopher- knight/ James Pereira QC: barrister at Francis Taylor Building https://www.ftbchambers.co.uk/barristers/james-pereira-qc
Useful Links 11KBW’s Panopticon: https://panopticonblog.com/
Privacy International: https://privacyinternational.org/
Open Rights Group: https://www.openrightsgroup.org/
Media Law Defence Initiative: https://www.mediadefence.org/
Article 19: https://www.article19.org/
Big Brother Watch: https://bigbrotherwatch.org.uk
The Information Commissioner’s website: https://ico.org.uk
Peter Carey’s Freedom of Information Handbook: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Freedom- Information-Handbook-Peter-Carey/dp/1907698183 and his book on Data Protection https://www.amazon.co.uk/Data-Protection-Practical-Guide-law/dp/0198815417/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1567084243&refinements=p_27%3APeter+Carey&s=b ooks&sr=1-1&text=Peter+Carey
Glossary FOIA: Freedom of Information Act GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation DPA: Data Protection Act ICCPR: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
These practice areas are, in the words of one of our guests, not for the weak-hearted. But if you are up for the varied and exacting challenges that a personal injury or clinical negligence presents, you will find yourself richly rewarded. We hear from Farah Mauladad who explains to us what it takes to cross-examine someone who went into hospital perfectly fit and came out tetraplegic, and from Gerard McDermott QC whose clients have often suffered catastrophic and life-changing injuries: he leaves us in no doubt that health and safety really matters.
Guests Farrah Mauladad: barrister at Crown Office Chambers https://www.crownofficechambers.com/barristers/farrah-mauladad/ Master Gerard McDermott QC: barrister at Outer Temple Chambers https://www.outertemple.com/barristers/gerard-mcdermott-qc/ and to follow Gerard on twitter https://twitter.com/mcdermottqc?lang=en
Useful Links Association of Personal Injury Lawyers: https://www.apil.org.uk Action against Medical Accidents: https://www.avma.org.uk
Glossary CFA: Conditional Fee Agreement – sometimes known as ‘no win no fee’
Did you love studying the weird and wonderful world of Equity and Trusts? Then today’s episode is for you. We hear from Constance McDonnell QC, a traditional chancery barrister, who tells us how a chancery practice can lead to that elusive work-life balance and why people skills - and not just intellect - are essential. And then we look into one of the most mysterious and little-known courts with Claire van Overdijk: the Court of Protection.
Guests Constance McDonnell QC barrister at Serle Court http://www.serlecourt.co.uk/news/article/constance-mcdonnell-qc Claire van Overdijk barrister at Outer Temple https://www.outertemple.com/barristers/claire-van-overdijk/
Useful Links Glossary CCG: Clinical commissioning groups Probate: the law concerning the administration of a person’s property, money and possessions (their ‘estate’) once they are dead. Mediation: a meeting between parties to litigation or proposed litigation which aims to resolve the dispute by arriving at a settlement. The parties are helped by a mediator who facilitates discussion. Anything discussed at a mediation is ‘without prejudice’. FDR: Financial Dispute Resolution Hearing, a judge-directed mediation where a judge will assist the parties by expressing a view on a point of law. Without prejudice: a party who makes a statement (either orally or in writing) and indicates that it is ‘without prejudice’ cannot be held to that statement, i.e. that statement cannot be relied upon by the other party in the course of the litigation. P: the person without capacity whose best interests are under discussion in the context of Court of Protection work.
Human Rights and Public International Law are two of the most appealing and popular areas of the law, but what do they really entail and how easy are they to get into? We hear from two junior practitioners who tell us about their own motivations and the challenges they have encountered in their practices. Learn why it might not always pay to be an activist if you want to go into HR and take note of a health warning about how to start a PIL practice… Guests Jude Bunting: barrister at Doughty Street https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/barristers/jude- bunting Remi Reichhold: barrister at 5 Essex Court https://5essexcourt.co.uk/our- people/profile/remi-reichhold
Glossary CFA: Conditional Fee Agreement – sometimes known as ‘no win no fee’ NGO: Non-Governmental Organisation PIL: Public International Law
Guests
Ruth Kennedy barrister at 2TG https://www.2tg.co.uk/people/ruth-kennedy/
Michael Bowsher QC barrister at Monckton Chambers https://www.monckton.com/barrister/michael-bowsher-qc/
Useful Links KCL procurement distance learning module: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/law/research/centres/european/programmes/procurementsyllabus
The recent announcement by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex --- aka Harry and Meghan --- that they are planning to sue Associated Newspapers after the Mail on Sunday published a private letter from Meghan to her father, has put the spotlight on media and defamation law – the topic of this episode of the pupillage podcast. We hear about celebrities and super injunctions, but also learn that nothing is beyond the reach of this fascinating area of law, from anti-semitism, to medical research, to the parish newsletter. If you’re interested in the conflict between free speech and privacy, and in truth and opinion then this episode is for you. Guests Felicity McMahon: barrister at 5RB https://www.5rb.com/member/felicity-mcmahon/ and on Twitter @bitofalegalgeek Master Adrienne Page QC: barrister at 5RB https://www.5rb.com/member/adrienne-page-qc/
Useful Links McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists, Mark Hanna & Mark Dodd https://www.amazon.co.uk/McNaes-Essential-Journalists-Mike- Dodd/dp/0198809573/ref=dp_ob_title_bk Glossary CFA: Conditional Fee Agreements – a no win, no fee agreement whereby a party only has to pay legal costs if they win their case; if they do not, there are no costs to pay. Recoverable Success Fees: an additional amount of the winning party’s legal fees which have to be paid by the losing party, which since 6 April 2019 are no longer permitted in defamation and privacy cases. IPSO – Independent Press Standards Organisation Master of the Bench – senior members of the Inns of Court Costs Masters – costs judge – judges sitting in the Senior Courts Costs Office QB Masters – Queen’s Bench Master, a judge who handles case management of cases in the Queens’ Bench Division
This is an episode for anyone considering a life of crime. The Criminal Bar is one of the most exciting and rewarding areas of practice but it also faces some of the biggest challenges and shockingly low rates of pay and poor working conditions. Attrition rates among juniors, especially women, are worryingly high. Today we hear from some criminal practitioners who bravely tell it like it is. We hear about the highs and lows and try to give you the inside view so, if the Criminal Bar appeals to you, you can make a fully informed decision.
Guests Monica Stevenson: barrister at 25 Bedford Row https://www.25bedfordrow.com/site/people/profile/monica.stevenson
The Secret Barrister: author and barrister https://thesecretbarrister.com/. On Twitter @barristersecret and to buy the bestselling book, The Secret Barrister, Stories of the Law and How It’s Broken: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Barrister-Stories-Law- Broken/dp/1509841105 Karon Monaghan QC: barrister at Matrix Chambers https://www.matrixlaw.co.uk/member/karon-monaghan/ Sarah Langford: barrister at 3 Paper Buildings https://www.3pb.co.uk/barristers/sarah- langford/ and author of In Your Defence https://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Defence-Stories- Life- Law/dp/1784163082/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=53571611223&gclid=CjwKCAjwtO7qBRBQEiw Al5WC29FPrjtXYqJvQ3RIqGtSieE7ZKefhrXNjnao9rJpeeXT0f1TXzf6rxoCqxEQAvD_Bw E&hvadid=267142082856&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9045999&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt= e&hvrand=2878795830517275464&hvtargid=aud-614677023298%3Akwd- 469909746161&hydadcr=18518_1817325&keywords=sarah+langford+in+your+defence&qi d=1566334149&s=books&sr=1-1 and on Twitter @wigsandwords Sir Brian Leveson PC: a former criminal silk who went on to become a High Court Judge and then Lord Justice of Appeal, President of the Queen’s Bench Division and the Head of Criminal Justice. He is also well known for being the Chair of the Leveson Inquiry, a judicial public inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the British press.
Useful Links Anyone thinking of a career at the Criminal Bar should read this blog post from 2013 (we are told things have since got worse): https://50shadesofaffray.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/life-at- the-thin-edge-of-the-wedge-the-grim-reality-of-the-independent-junior-criminal-bar/.
One of the Secret Barrister’s blog posts that is particularly worth reading: https://thesecretbarrister.com/2018/04/26/guest-post-the-secret-bptc- student-on-legal-aid-cuts-and-the-criminal-bar/ The Western Circuit report ‘Back to the Bar’ https://d17g388r7gqnd8.cloudfront.net/2019/01/WCWF-Back-to-the-Bar.pdf Chris Henley QC’s article on Women at the Criminal Bar: https://www.criminalbar.com/resources/news/cba-monday-message-11-02-19/
Glossary CPS: Crown Prosecution Service Warned list: a window in which a trial could be listed (often lasting weeks) A returned case: If a barrister is unable to do a hearing or a piece of advisory work in a case for which they are instructed (usually because of unexpected diary problems) then they ‘return’ it to the client so that the client can instruct someone else who does have capacity to do the work. A ‘return’ usually arrives on the new barrister’s desk at the last minute.
This episode is for those of our listeners who are already working – but are thinking about leaving their current career in order to come to the Bar. A surprisingly large proportion of barristers in private practice have had a previous career of one sort or another. Indeed one of guests on this episode told us that when he’s King, all barristers will be obliged to have a period of employment for at least a year before they start! We hear our guests’ tips for those seeking pupillage a bit later in life, what the qualification requirements are and whether there truly are any short-cuts.
Guests Peter Laverack: barrister at 5 Essex Court https://5essexcourt.co.uk/our- people/profile/peter-laverack Dijen Basu QC: barrister at Serjeants’ Inn https://www.serjeantsinn.com/barrister/dijen- basu-qc/ Penelope Nevill: barrister at 20 Essex Street https://twentyessex.com/people/penelope-nevill/
Glossary Higher rights of audience: the qualification to appear in higher courts of record for solicitors or legal executives.
In today's double-bill of mini-episodes, Beatrice and George answer some of your questions. In episode 1, they discuss law school and applications questions while in episode 2, they concentrate on interviews and beyond and relive some embarrassing moments from their own pupillage journeys.
In today's double-bill of mini-episodes, Beatrice and George answer some of your questions. In episode 1, they discuss law school and applications questions while in episode 2, they concentrate on interviews and beyond and relive some embarrassing moments from their own pupillage journeys.
Guests Carin Hunt: barrister at Outer Temple Chambers https://www.outertemple.com/barristers/carin-hunt/ Master Angus McCullough QC: Master of the Bench and barrister at One Crown Office Row https://www.1cor.com/london/barristers/angus-mccullough-qc/ William Hawkes: https://www.williamhawkes.co.uk/
Useful Links If you have a moot in which a Supreme Court decision is cited, take a look at the Supreme Court website which has accessible press summaries to give you a quick overview. You can also watch the argument for recent cases: https://www.supremecourt.uk/decided-cases/index.html Details on Middle Temple’s Rosamund Smith Mooting Competition, some other mooting competitions and don’t miss the links to helpful documents on the right hand side: https://www.middletemple.org.uk/members/student-information-and- services/mooting Some previous Rosamund Smith Moot Finals skeleton arguments: https://www.middletemple.org.uk/inn-calendar/rosamund-smith-moot-final and https://www.middletemple.org.uk/inn-calendar/rosamund-smith-moot-final-0 Details on the Vis Moot: https://vismoot.pace.edu/ CPR Part 52: Appeals: Skeleton Arguments: https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/part52/pd_part52#V The Queen’s Bench Guide: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attach ment_data/file/760087/the-queens-bench-guide-20180906.pdf Commercial Court Guide: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attach ment_data/file/672422/The_Commercial_Court_Guide_new_10th_Edition_07.09.17. pdf Effective Written Advocacy by Andrew Goodman: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Effective-Written-Advocacy-Guide- Practitioners/dp/0854900950 What do I call a judge?: https://www.judiciary.uk/you-and-the-judiciary/what-do-i-call- judge/
Glossary BPP: a law school
It’s all paid off. Your application was a success and you have been invited for interview. But now what?!
In the final - bumper - episode of the series, we talk to the people sitting on the other side of the table in pupillage interviews. We ask them how you can prepare for interviews, how to approach legal problem questions and advocacy exercises and how to spot an ethical question. And along the way, they tell us about some of the mistakes they see (and once made themselves) and offer some insight into how you can impress a Pupillage Committee.
Guests in order of appearance
Elizabeth Dwomoh: barrister at Lamb Chambers https://www.lambchambers.co.uk/who-can-help-you/barristers/elizabeth-dwomoh
Master Ann Hussey: silk and Master of the Bench at 1 Hare Court https://www.1hc.com/people/ann-hussey-qc/
Alex Cisneros: barrister at No 5 https://www.no5.com/barristers/barrister-details/493-alex-cisneros/
Cathryn McGahey QC: silk at Temple Gardens Chambers https://tgchambers.com/member-profile/cathryn-mcgahey-qc/
James Wakefield: barrister, leader of the Council of the Inns of Court and dean of the Inns of Court College of Advocacy
Karen Steyn QC: silk at 11KBW https://www.11kbw.com/barristers/karen-steyn/
Kate Grange QC: silk at 39 Essex https://www.39essex.com/barrister/kate-grange/
Useful Links
5 Essex Court is the only chambers (as far as we know!) to publish a full report about its application and interview process each year. No matter what chambers you are applying to, it offers an invaluable insider point of view of what does and does not impress a Pupillage Committee: https://5essexcourt.co.uk/images/uploads/misc/5_Essex_Court_Pupillage_Application_Round_2018.pdf
The 5 Essex Court Pupillage Committee also tweets advice from @pupillages https://twitter.com/pupillages?lang=en and junior tenants give an insight into life in chambers on Instagram @5EssexCourt_pupillages https://www.instagram.com/5essexcourt_pupillages/
Everyone who is assessing pupillage candidates must read or do training in this guide so it is a very helpful insight into what barristers might be looking for: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/media/343819/fair_recruitment_guide_2015_april_final.pdf
See what Ishan Kolhatkar (to whom we spoken in the very first episode) has to say about pupillage interviews: http://bptclecturer.com/pupillageinterviews
The legal directories: Chambers UK: https://chambers.com/ and Legal 500 https://www.legal500.com/
Legal Cheek on nerves: https://www.legalcheek.com/2016/06/how-to-get-through-pupillage-interviews-if-you-are-prone-to-anxiety/
Ted Talk on Power Poses: https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en
Bar Council: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/
The Student Room usually has an annual The Pupillage Interview/Acceptance/Rejection Thread full of candidates sharing advice and when interview invitations have been sent – here is 2018’s: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5066896
Some examples of pupillage interview questions from the MTSA: http://middletemplestudents.com/example-pupillage-interview-questions/
How to address a judge (essential for advocacy exercises): https://www.judiciary.uk/you-and-the-judiciary/what-do-i-call-judge/ and https://learnmore.lawbore.net/index.php/Modes_Of_Address_Introduction
And some general advice about pupillage interviews: https://www.lawcareers.net/Information/Features/03012017-Acing-that-pupillage-interview https://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/law-barristers/advice/291565-how-to-ace-your-pupillage-interview-tips-from-qualified-barristers https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/where-to-start/newsletter/pupillage-interviews
Books we recommended: Bewigged and Bewildered by Adam Kramer and Ian Higgins; Learning the Law by Glanville Williams; Devil’s Advocate by Iain Morley QC and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
Today’s the day! At 11.00am on 7 January 2019, the Pupillage Gateway goes live and candidates across the country will start drafting their applications.
In this episode, we talk to barristers who, between them, have read thousands of pupillage applications – and who remember how difficult it was to write their own. We talk to members of Gateway and non-Gateway chambers to hear about standard application forms, the challenges of covering letters and application processes that include assessed mini-pupillages. They told us how to demonstrate your written advocacy ability and warned us of some common pitfalls to avoid. They also gave us a rare insight into what happens in chambers when the pile of pupillage application forms arrives.
Guests in order of appearance
James Duffy: barrister and member of the Pupillage Committee at Fountain Court https://www.fountaincourt.co.uk/people/james-duffy/
Paul Greatorex: barrister at 11KBW https://www.11kbw.com/barristers/paul- greatorex/
Eleena Misra: barrister at Old Square Chambers http://www.oldsquare.co.uk/our- people/profile/eleena-misra and on twitter @EleenaMisra
Kate Grange QC: silk at 39 Essex https://www.39essex.com/barrister/kate-grange/
Alison Pickup: barrister and legal director of the Public Law Project https://publiclawproject.org.uk/who-we-are/staff/
Michael Harwood: barrister and President of MTYBA https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-harwood-24273342/?originalSubdomain=uk and on Twitter @mi_harwood
Matt Ahluwalia: barrister and Justice First Fellow at the Public Law Project https://jff.thelegaleducationfoundation.org/fellow/matthew-ahluwalia/
Elizabeth Dwomoh: barrister at Lamb Chambers https://www.lambchambers.co.uk/who-can-help-you/barristers/elizabeth-dwomoh
Useful Links
The Pupillage Gateway: https://www.pupillagegateway.com/
5 Essex Court is the only chambers (as far as we know!) to publish a full report about its application and interview process each year. No matter what chambers you are applying to, it offers an invaluable insider point of view of what does and does not impress a Pupillage Committee: https://5essexcourt.co.uk/images/uploads/misc/5_Essex_Court_Pupillage_Application_Round_2018.pdf
The 5 Essex Court Pupillage Committee also tweets advice from @pupillages https://twitter.com/pupillages?lang=en and junior tenants give an insight into life in chambers on Instagram @5EssexCourt_pupillages https://www.instagram.com/5essexcourt_pupillages/
Everyone who is assessing pupillage candidates must read or do training in this guide so it is a very helpful insight into what barristers might be looking for: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/media/343819/fair_recruitment_guide_2015_april_final.pdf
See what Ishan Kolhatkar (to whom we spoken in the very first episode) has to say about completing application forms: http://bptclecturer.com/selecting-chambers-and-completing-pupillage-application-forms
The Student Room usually has an annual The Pupillage Interview/Acceptance/Rejection Thread full of candidates sharing advice and when interview invitations have been sent – here is 2018’s: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5066896
Perhaps the best advice out there on how to turn your previous work experience into a compelling pupillage application: https://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/apr/20/how-to-write-good-pupillage- application
When deciding where to apply for pupillage, you need to consider not just which chambers to join, but where in the country you want to work. Barristers and chambers can be found not just in central London but throughout England and Wales. Such chambers are often mixed common law sets which can be an ideal place to start your career and which can offer some amazing opportunities. The English and Welsh Bar is divided into six regions, known as ‘circuits’: Midland; Northern; North Eastern; South Eastern; Wales and Chester and Western. In this episode, we hear from two circuiteers about the many benefits of life on circuit.
Guests in order of appearance
Lord Judge: retired Court of Appeal judge, Middle Temple bencher, former Lord Chief Justice, President of the Queen’s Bench Division, Master Treasurer of Middle Temple and passionate circuiteer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Judge,_Baron_Judge
Christian Howells: barrister at 30 Park Place, Cardiff and door tenant at 1COR http://www.30parkplace.co.uk/barristers/profile/christian-j-howells and https://www.1cor.com/london/barristers/christian-howells/ https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/about-the-bar/what-is-the-bar/circuits/
Useful Links
For more information on the circuits: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/about-the- bar/what-is-the-bar/circuits/
The Midland Circuit website is coming soon, register here for updates: http://www.midlandcircuit.co.uk/ The Northern Circuit: https://www.northerncircuit.org.uk/ The South Eastern Circuit: http://southeastcircuit.org.uk/ Wales and Chester Circuit: http://www.walesandchestercircuit.org.uk/ Western Circuit: https://westerncircuit.co.uk/ European Circuit: http://www.europeancircuit.com/
Glossary
Circuit: The English and Welsh Bar is divided into six regions, known as ‘circuits’. Each circuit provides barristers with a range of services and liaise with the local courts. There is even a European Circuit bringing together barristers working in Europe.
Circuiteer: a barrister practising on circuit.
Common law set: a set of chambers generally covering a range of civil, public, crime and family law.
Door tenant: a barrister who is affiliated to, and predominately practises out of, another chambers or has another employer.
Before you come to making pupillage applications, you have to decide what sort of pupillage you want. Do you want to practise at the employed or self-employed Bar? Should you apply only to the crème de la crème of chambers or should you apply to a spectrum? Are you looking for a big mixed practice chambers or something small and specialist? Do you want to work for the Government Legal Department or perhaps in a charity or NGO? Or do you want to be at the cutting edge of alternative business structures and join an in-house chambers within a solicitors’ firm? These are just some of the questions you will ask if considering a career as a barrister. We asked our guests about their own experiences and roles to help you find the answers.
Guests in order of appearance
Elaine Banton: barrister at 7 Bedford Row http://www.7br.co.uk/barrister/elaine- banton/
Julia Horner: Practice Director at Blackstone Chambers https://www.blackstonechambers.com/recruitment/staff/
Jessica Lee: barrister and Middle Temple bencher https://1gc.com/barristers/profile/jessica-lee and on twitter @jessicaleelaw
Michael Harwood: barrister and President of MTYBA https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-harwood-24273342/?originalSubdomain=uk and on twitter @mi_harwood
Sahar Farooqi: barrister and director of advocacy at DWF LLP https://www.dwf.law/en/People/Find-a-lawyer/2017/S/Sahar-Farooqi
Alison Pickup: barrister and legal director of the Public Law Project https://publiclawproject.org.uk/who-we-are/staff/
Matt Ahluwalia: barrister and Justice First Fellow at the Public Law Project https://jff.thelegaleducationfoundation.org/fellow/matthew-ahluwalia/
Useful Links
DWF Advocacy Limited: https://www.dwf.law/en/Connected-Services/DWF- Advocacy
Barrister’s earnings: https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/where-to- start/newsletter/how-much-do-barristers-earn
Public Law Project: https://publiclawproject.org.uk/
Justice First Fellowships: https://jff.thelegaleducationfoundation.org/
Glossary
Arbitration: a type of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) where disputes are resolved outside the traditional court structure. Disputes are decided by arbitrators and are legally binding.
Counsel: another term for barristers
CPS: the Crown Prosecution Service
Door tenant: a barrister who is affiliated to, and predominately practises out of, another chambers or has another employer.
Employed Bar: a term that refers to barristers who are employed.
Fused profession: the system whereby the legal profession is not divided between solicitors and barristers and the two roles are united; most common law jurisdictions outside England and Wales have fused professions.
Government Legal Department: the largest provider of legal services within the Government Legal Profession.
Government Legal Service: recently renamed the Government Legal Profession, this is the umbrella group comprising around two thousand qualified lawyers employed as civil servants in around thirty UK Government departments. The GLP (GLS) includes legal teams employed within, for example, the Attorney General’s Office, HMRC, MI5 and MI6.
Independent Bar: a term for self-employed barristers practising in chambers.
Litigator: a lawyer specialising in litigation; often used interchangeably with advocate.
Marshalling: work experience shadowing a judge.
Mini-Pupillage: a period of work experience in a barristers’ chambers, usually a week or less, sometimes assessed. These are generally only available to those in their final year of a law degree or from the law conversation course onward.
Permission hearings: an early stage of a judicial review.
QC: Queen’s Counsel – an award for excellence in advocacy in the higher courts. Those barristers who become QCs are also known as ‘silks’. The title depends on the sex of the sovereign and during the reign of a king, QCs will become ‘King’s Counsel’ or ‘KCs’.
RTA: road traffic accidents.
In these two episodes, we talk to barristers and other guests practising in lots of different areas to hear about what it’s really like. What do they love about their practice area? Who are their clients? What sort of skills do you need to flourish? What are the things you really need to think about when choosing your practice? They told us about important lifestyle differences between different practices and how the legal directories can help you look behind aspirational websites. Perhaps most important of all, they told us why, when selecting your practice area, you should keep an open mind.
In Practice Areas I, we hear about how to choose your specialism and explored general civil, employment, construction, commercial, public, intellectual property and arbitration practices – and even a practice in ‘death row dogs’ cases…
Guests in order of appearance
Julia Horner: Chambers’ Director, Blackstone Chambers https://www.blackstonechambers.com/clerks-staff/
Elaine Banton: employment barrister at 7 Bedford Row http://www.7br.co.uk/barrister/elaine-banton/
Richard Wilmot-Smith QC: 2018 Master Treasurer of Middle Temple and practising construction and international arbitration silk at 39 Essex Chambers https://www.39essex.com/barrister/richard-wilmot-smith-qc/
Cathryn McGahey QC: public law and immigration silk at Temple Garden Chambers https://tgchambers.com/member-profile/cathryn-mcgahey-qc/
Benet Brandreth QC: intellectual property silk at 11 South Square, rhetoric coach and advocacy trainer https://www.11southsquare.com/barristers/benet-brandreth/ and https://www.benetbrandreth.com/ or on twitter @benetbrandreth
Useful Links
The Legal 500: https://www.legal500.com/assets/pages/united-kingdom/uk.html
Chambers & Partners: https://chambers.com/research/chambers-uk-and-uk-bar
Chambers Student Guide: https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/ and some useful advice on areas of law (the solicitors’ areas equally apply)https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/practice-areas
LawCareers.Net Handbook 2019: The Training Contract and Pupillage Guide https://handbook.lawcareers.net/
Target Jobs Law: https://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/law-barristers
Glossary
Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel: the panel of barristers who are instructed to advise and represent central government departments.
Direct Access: where members of the public can instruct a barrister themselves (directly) without having to go through a solicitor.
IP (intellectual property): intellectual property is the name given to the product of people’s minds: ideas; inventions; medicines; pieces of music etc. The law of intellectual property concerns the protection of rights in those products.
Legal Directories: reference books that rank and recommend chambers and individual barristers. Chambers UK Bar (often called Chambers & Partners) and Legal 500 are the main legal directories.
Rights of audience: sometimes known as ‘higher rights of audience’, these are the rights of a qualified advocate to appear in the superior courts.
Mentions: typically a very short case management hearing in the criminal courts.
Pupillage Training Organisation: or ‘PTO’ – an organisation that can offer pupillage. Traditionally these have been barristers’ chambers but as we hear in this episode, solicitors’ firms and other organisations can now qualify to become PTOs.
Year of Call: the year in which a barrister was called to the Bar (i.e. the year in which they qualified). It is used to understand how much experience a particular barrister has.
In these two episodes, we talk to barristers and other guests practising in lots of different areas to hear about what it’s really like. What do they love about their practice area? Who are their clients? What sort of skills do you need to flourish? What are the things you really need to think about when choosing your practice? They told us about important lifestyle differences between different practices and how the legal directories can help you look behind aspirational websites. Perhaps most important of all, they told us why, when selecting your practice area, you should keep an open mind. In Practice Areas II, we hear about family, crime and inquests practices.
Guests in order of appearance Bernard Richmond QC: criminal silk and Head of Chambers at Lamb Building, Master of Middle Temple, Assistant Coroner, Recorder http://www.lambbuilding.co.uk/members/profile.php?id=3 and on Twitter as @phatsilk_qc Rupert Kent: criminal barrister at 2 Harcourt Buildings https://www.2hb.co.uk/rupert- kent/ Jessica Lee: family barrister at 1GC https://1gc.com/barristers/profile/jessica-lee and on Twitter as @jessicaleelaw Useful Links Essential reading for anyone considering a career in crime: The Secret Barrister (who can be found on twitter @BarristerSecret) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Barrister-Stories-Law- Broken/dp/1509841105/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1546431219&sr=8- 1&keywords=the+secret+barrister And for anyone interested in crime and family: In Your Defence by Sarah Langford (on twitter as @wigsandwords and on Instagram as @sarah_m_langford: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Defence-Stories-Life- Law/dp/085752528X/ref=pd_sbs_14_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=085752528X&pd _rd_r=d954d530-0e87-11e9-8210- ed08ba772cb1&pd_rd_w=CLkt3&pd_rd_wg=v3gbb&pf_rd_p=18edf98b-139a-41ee- bb40- d725dd59d1d3&pf_rd_r=MJKG9FSD9HYXPKES5TAR&psc=1&refRID=MJKG9FSD 9HYXPKES5TAR
The Legal 500: https://www.legal500.com/assets/pages/united-kingdom/uk.html Chambers & Partners: https://chambers.com/research/chambers-uk-and-uk-bar Chambers Student Guide: https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/ and some useful advice on areas of law (the solicitors’ areas equally apply) https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/practice-areas LawCareers.Net Handbook 2019: The Training Contract and Pupillage Guide https://handbook.lawcareers.net/ Target Jobs Law: https://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/law-barristers
Glossary Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel: the panel of barristers who are instructed to advise and represent central government departments. Direct Access: where members of the public can instruct a barrister themselves (directly) without having to go through a solicitor. Legal Directories: reference books that rank and recommend chambers and individual barristers. Chambers UK Bar (often called Chambers & Partners) and Legal 500 are the main legal directories. Mentions: typically a very short case management hearing in the criminal courts. Year of Call: the year in which a barrister was called to the Bar (i.e. the year in which they qualified). It is used to understand how much experience a particular barrister has.
The heart of a barrister’s job is advocacy – persuading others orally or in writing. Advocacy experience is therefore crucial for anyone considering a career at the Bar.
There are lots of different forms of advocacy available for students to try, from debating and mooting, public speaking to pro bono. We hear from today’s guests about all these types of advocacy experience, what their benefits are and how you can start to demonstrate your flair for advocacy. We also learn about the hidden opportunities for advocacy all around you. And what if you are battling nerves? We hear some tips from the pros.
Guests in order of appearance
James Wakefield: barrister, leader of the Council of the Inns of Court and dean of the Inns of Court College of Advocacy
Andrew Hochhauser QC: silk and arbitrator at Essex Court and Middle Temple Bencher https://essexcourt.com/barrister/andrew-hochhauser-qc/
Alexander Robson: barrister at Littleton Chambers, co-author of The Path to Pupillage, Harold G. Fox Scholar http://www.littletonchambers.com/barrister/alexander-robson/
Benet Brandreth QC: silk at 11 South Square, rhetoric coach and advocacy trainer https://www.11southsquare.com/barristers/benet-brandreth/ and https://www.benetbrandreth.com/ and on twitter as @benetbrandreth
Michael Harwood: barrister and President of MTYBA https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-harwood-24273342/?originalSubdomain=uk and on twitter @mi_harwood
Matt Ahluwalia: barrister and Justice First Fellow at the Public Law Project https://jff.thelegaleducationfoundation.org/fellow/matthew-ahluwalia/
Useful Links
Debating: https://www.cus.org/members/debating/what-debating https://www.greatdebaters.co.uk/ and for school students: https://www.parliament.uk/education/teaching-resources- lesson-plans/get-debating-/ and https://www.esu.org/our-work/schools-mace
English Speaking Union: https://www.esu.org/
Mooting: For details of the ESU – Essex Court National Mooting Competition: https://nationalmooting.org/ And for the Rosamund Smith Mooting Competition: https://www.middletemple.org.uk/members/student-information-and-services/mooting For other mooting information https://lawbore.net/mooting https://global.oup.com/ukhe/mooting/whatismooting/?cc=gb&lang=en& https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/current-students/mooting-oxford/mooting-what-it-and-why-take-part https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/where-to-start/newsletter/what-is-mooting https://www.theguardian.com/law/2017/jun/28/advice-for-law-students-how-to-moot
Pro Bono: General Advice: https://www.middletemple.org.uk/members/student-information-and-services/advice-on-pro-bono-work Free Representation Unit or ‘FRU’: http://www.thefru.org.uk/ Z2K: https://www.z2k.org/ National Centre for Domestic Violence: https://www.ncdv.org.uk/ Advice for setting up a Law Clinic at your university: https://www.lawworks.org.uk/solicitors-and-volunteers/get-involved/law-schools-and-student-pro-bono
Some books on advocacy: The Art of the Advocate by Richard du Cann: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art- Advocate-Penguin-Law/dp/0140179313 Devil’s Advocate by Iain Morley: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Devils-Advocate-Iain-Morley/dp/0414023226/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=GRED V8JJHVSST1FZ04XS 365 Daily Advocacy Tips by Leslie Cuthbert: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Daily- Advocacy-Tips-Leslie-Cuthbert/dp/178043832X
Other useful resources:
Council of the Inns of Court https://www.coic.org.uk/ Justice First Fellowships: https://jff.thelegaleducationfoundation.org/ Public Law Project: https://publiclawproject.org.uk/ Bristol University Law Clinic: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/law/law-clinic/
In today’s episode, we find out about the Inns of Court. The Inns are historic, professional associations for barristers but also, as we hear, communities of students, barristers and judges. The Inns have lots of functions but perhaps the most important is education and administering scholarships to help those who wish to become barristers.
We talk to some of the great and the good about what the Inns have meant to them and how they can help you as a student. We hear about the benefits of sponsorship and mentoring schemes, some of the scholarships on offer and about the Middle Temple associations that can help students, pupillage-seekers and junior barristers.
Guests in order of appearance:
Richard Wilmot-Smith QC: 2018 Master Treasurer of Middle Temple and practising silk at 39 Essex Chambers: https://www.39essex.com/barrister/richard-wilmot-smith- qc/
Christa Richmond: Middle Temple’s Director of Education: https://www.middletemple.org.uk/about-us/governance/executive-management
Michael Polak: barrister and Deputy President of MTYBA: http://churchcourtchambers.co.uk/project/michael-polak/ @MichaelPolakLaw
Lord Justice David Bean: 2019 Master Treasurer of Middle Temple and a judge in the Court of Appeal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bean_(judge)
Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Right Honourable The Lord Burnett of Maldon: the Head of the Judiciary of England and Wales and the President of the Courts of England and Wales https://www.judiciary.uk/about-the-judiciary/who-are-the-judiciary/judicial-roles/judges/lord-chief-justice/ and https://www.judiciary.uk/announcement-type/lord-burnett/
Alex Cisneros: barrister at No 5 https://www.no5.com/barristers/barrister-details/493-alex-cisneros/
Eleena Misra: barrister at Old Square Chambers http://www.oldsquare.co.uk/our-people/profile/eleena-misra
Andrew Hochhauser QC: silk and arbitrator at Essex Court and Middle Temple Bencher https://essexcourt.com/barrister/andrew-hochhauser-qc/
Elaine Banton: barrister at 7 Bedford Row http://www.7br.co.uk/barrister/elaine- banton/
Alexander Robson: barrister at Littleton Chambers, co-author of The Path to Pupillage, Harold G. Fox Scholar http://www.littletonchambers.com/barrister/alexander-robson/
Michael Harwood: barrister and President of MTYBA https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-harwood-24273342/?originalSubdomain=uk and https://twitter.com/mi_harwood?lang=en
Useful Links
https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/about-the-bar/what-is-the-bar/inns-of-court/
Lincoln’s Inn: https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/ Gray’s Inn: https://www.graysinn.org.uk/ Inner Temple: https://www.innertemple.org.uk/ Middle Temple: https://www.middletemple.org.uk/ All these websites have lots of information about the Inns and the scholarships available.
Middle Temple Students’ Association (MTSA): https://www.middletemple.org.uk/education-and-training/middle-temple-students-association
Middle Temple Young Barristers’ Association (MTYBA): https://www.middletemple.org.uk/members/inn-societies-and-groups/middle-temple-young-barristers-association
Inns Mentoring and Sponsorhip Schemes: https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/student-members/marshalling-and-mentoring/ https://www.graysinn.org.uk/education/student-members/mentoring-scheme https://www.innertemple.org.uk/education/bar-professional-training-course-bptc-students/student-schemes/ https://www.middletemple.org.uk/members/student-information-and-services/sponsorship-scheme
Access to the Bar Scheme: https://www.middletemple.org.uk/education-and- training/scholarships-and-prizes/access-to-the-bar-awards
Harold G. Fox Scholarship (administered by Middle Temple but open to members of all Inns): https://www.middletemple.org.uk/education-and-training/scholarships-and-prizes/overseas/harold-g-fox Note that this year’s deadline is 4pm 21 February 2019.
For more information on Temple Church: http://www.templechurch.com/
In today’s episode we are talking all things mini-pupillage. Mini-pupillages are short periods of work experience in barristers’ chambers and are essential for anyone seeking pupillage or considering a career at the Bar. They are the best way to see inside a set of chambers and to understand what a barrister’s practice – and life – really entails. They are also an excellent way to improve your CV.
Mini-pupillages can be hard to come by so we hear from our guests how to apply and, when you land that precious mini, the secrets to impress and the pitfalls to avoid. We kick off the episode asking one of the most controversial questions of all…
Guests in order of appearance
Cathryn McGahey QC: silk at Temple Garden Chambers https://tgchambers.com/member-profile/cathryn-mcgahey-qc/
Julia Horner: Practice Director at Blackstone Chambers https://www.blackstonechambers.com/recruitment/staff/
Alexander Robson: barrister at Littleton Chambers, co-author of The Path to Pupillage, Harold G. Fox Scholar http://www.littletonchambers.com/barrister/alexander-robson/
Master Ann Hussey: silk and Master of the Bench at 1 Hare Court https://www.1hc.com/people/ann-hussey-qc/
Elaine Banton: barrister at 7 Bedford Row http://www.7br.co.uk/barrister/elaine- banton/
Useful Links
For some further advice about mini-pupillages: https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/the-bar/mini-pupillage-vacancies https://www.lawcareers.net/barristers/minipupillages https://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/law-careers/mini-pupillage
Glossary
GDL: Graduate Diploma in Law – a year’s law course for those who have not undertaken an undergraduate law degree. Also known informally as the ‘law conversion course’.
Law conversion course: the graduate diploma in law.
Marshalling: work experience shadowing a judge.
Mini-Pupillage: a period of work experience in a barristers’ chambers, usually a week or less, sometimes assessed. These are generally only available to those in their final year of a law degree or from the law conversation course onward.
QC: Queen’s Counsel – an award for excellence in advocacy in the higher courts. Those barristers who become QCs are also known as ‘silks’. The title depends on the sex of the sovereign and during the reign of a king, QCs will become ‘King’s Counsel’ or ‘KCs’.
In this first episode, we wanted to give you a taste of what it takes to become a barrister and there seemed no better way than by introducing you to Ubah Dirie, junior barrister and recipient of an Access to the Bar Award. Ubah told us about her journey to the Bar – from her first steps taking part in activities in Middle Temple, to the rewards of her pro bono work.
One of the first things you need when setting off, is a CV. For pupillage-hunters, there are specific do’s and don’t’s. Our second guest, Ishan Kolhatkar, is a master of legal CVs and he came and spoke to us about how to compile and finesse an effective CV.
Guests in order of appearance
Ubah Dirie: barrister at the 36 Group https://36group.co.uk/members/ud
Ishan Kolhatkar: Deputy Dean of Education Services at BPP University and barrister http://bptclecturer.com/about-me and active Twitter user @bptc_lecturer https://twitter.com/bptc_lecturer?lang=en and blogger http://bptclecturer.com/
Useful Links
Access to the Bar Scheme: https://www.middletemple.org.uk/education-and-training/scholarships-and-prizes/access-to-the-bar-awards
Lincoln’s Inn: https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/ Gray’s Inn: https://www.graysinn.org.uk/ Inner Temple: https://www.innertemple.org.uk/ Middle Temple: https://www.middletemple.org.uk/
Middle Temple Students’ Association (MTSA): https://www.middletemple.org.uk/education-and-training/middle-temple-students-association
Middle Temple Young Barristers’ Association (MTYBA): https://www.middletemple.org.uk/members/inn-societies-and-groups/middle-temple-young-barristers-association
Wondering what an effective CV looks like? Take a look at this excellent example: https://typographyforlawyers.com/resumes.html
For further guidance on writing your CV: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-cover-letters/how-to-write-a-cv _encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=AHX6Z164K4NTDF2BA4AV
Glossary
The Bar: The Bar of England and Wales is a term used to describe the legal profession of barristers. Barristers are known as ‘members of the Bar’.
Benchers: Masters of the Bench, the governing body of an Inn.
Call to the Bar: the process of qualifying to become a barrister. A Call ceremony takes place at the barrister’s Inn of Court before or during the pupillage year. A barrister is called to the utter (‘outer’) bar or ‘appointed to the degree of the utter bar’
CV: curriculum vitae or résumé; a short, written description setting out your education, qualifications, experience and interests that you may send out when trying to obtain pupillage, mini-pupillages or further work experience.
Dinners and Dining: the traditional name for the twelve qualifying sessions that all students must undertake before being Called to the Bar. These can be dinners, advocacy weekends, lectures and other events.
Hall: all the barristers within an Inn.
Inns of Court: the four professional associations for barristers in England and Wales. Lincoln’s Inn; Gray’s Inn; Inner Temple; and Middle Temple.
Marshalling: work experience shadowing a judge.
Master Treasurer: non-Executive Chair of the Inn – an annual appointment.
Pro Bono: coming from the Latin ‘Pro bono publico’ meaning ‘for the public good’, pro bono is unpaid voluntary work. Many barristers and students undertake pro bono work offering their professional skills to provide services to those who are unable to afford them.
Pupillage: a year’s apprenticeship in a barristers’ chambers, part of qualifying to become a fully-fledged barrister.
QC: Queen’s Counsel – an award for excellence in advocacy in the higher courts. Those who become QCs are also known as ‘silks’. The title depends on the sex of the sovereign and during the reign of a king, QCs will become ‘King’s Counsel’ or ‘KCs’.
Silk: a colloquialism meaning Queen’s Counsel – the term comes from the silk gowns traditionally worn by QCs. ‘Taking silk’ means successfully becoming a QC.
Under Treasurer: the Chief Executive of the Inn.