Episodes
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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…GuestsJamie 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+politicsAlex 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/1911035282Dr Christopher Markou: Fellow of Jesus College Cambridge https://www.law.cam.ac.uk/people/cp-markou/6574Useful LinksA 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=1-1For 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=8-1GlossaryADM: 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 transactionsAI: Artificial Intelligence, an area of computer science which aims to create ‘intelligent’ machines (computers).
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What if you are doing the GDL or the BPTC, or you’re searching for pupillage or busydoing pupillage or you’re finally practising as a barrister… but you have a naggingfeeling that you’re the wrong person in the wrong place? And it’s not just that youdon’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 havedecided to move away from the law. Our guests tell us how it felt to come to therealisation that they wanted to get off the road marked ‘lawyer’ and travel somewhereelse; what practical steps they took to create their new careers and why it is that atraining in law stands you in good stead no matter where you end up. We loved hearingabout their experiences – we hope you do too!GuestsKatrina Kutchinsky: for more information about Katrina, seehttp://leagueofher.com/katrina-kutchinsky-founder-story/Katrina’s PR company: https://www.akacomms.com/ and follow her on Twitter@katrina_KKKathryn Perera: Director of NHS Horizons, @kathrynpereraAlex Aldridge: founder and publisher of Legal Cheek www.legalcheek.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-aldridge-99728913/?originalSubdomain=ukand follow Alex on twitter @AlexAldridgeUKOlivia Potts: cordon bleu patissiere https://ahalfbakedidea.co.uk/, writer, author of A HalfBaked 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=books&sr=1-1 and follow Olivia on twitter: @_Poots_ and Instagram @ahalfbakedideaAlex Macqueen: actor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Macqueen and follow him twitter:@Alex_Macqueen
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Missing episodes?
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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.GuestsChristina Blacklaws: President of the Law Society until 2019:https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinablacklaws/?originalSubdomain=ukEJ Johnston Hawke: trainee solicitor at Edwards Duthie Shamash,https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ej-johnston-hawke-42132343Millicent Grant: President of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives July 2018-July2019https://www.cilex.org.uk/about_cilex/the_cilex_council_archive/the_cilex_presidentMaster Lisa Osofsky: Director of the Serious Fraud Officehttps://www.sfo.gov.uk/about-us/biographies/Useful LinksYoung Legal Aid Lawyers: http://www.younglegalaidlawyers.orgBecoming a legal aid lawyer: https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/where-to-start/newsletter/becoming-a-legal-aid-lawyerChartered Institute of Legal Executives: www.cilex.org.ukSerious Fraud Office careers: https://www.sfo.gov.uk/about-us/careers/Law society of England and Wales: https://www.lawsociety.org.ukGlossaryMagic 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.
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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.GuestsChristopher Knight: barrister at 11KBW https://www.11kbw.com/barristers/christopher-knight/James Pereira QC: barrister at Francis Taylor Buildinghttps://www.ftbchambers.co.uk/barristers/james-pereira-qcUseful Links11KBW’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.ukThe Information Commissioner’s website: https://ico.org.ukPeter Carey’s Freedom of Information Handbook: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Freedom-Information-Handbook-Peter-Carey/dp/1907698183 and his book on Data Protectionhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Data-Protection-Practical-Guide-law/dp/0198815417/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1567084243&refinements=p_27%3APeter+Carey&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Peter+CareyGlossaryFOIA: Freedom of Information ActGDPR: General Data Protection RegulationDPA: Data Protection ActICCPR: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
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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
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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 andMeghan --- that they are planning to sue Associated Newspapers after the Mail onSunday published a private letter from Meghan to her father, has put the spotlight onmedia and defamation law – the topic of this episode of the pupillage podcast. We hearabout celebrities and super injunctions, but also learn that nothing is beyond the reachof this fascinating area of law, from anti-semitism, to medical research, to the parishnewsletter. If you’re interested in the conflict between free speech and privacy, and intruth and opinion then this episode is for you.GuestsFelicity McMahon: barrister at 5RBhttps://www.5rb.com/member/felicity-mcmahon/ and on Twitter @bitofalegalgeekMaster Adrienne Page QC: barrister at 5RBhttps://www.5rb.com/member/adrienne-page-qc/Useful LinksMcNae’s Essential Law for Journalists, Mark Hanna & Mark Doddhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/McNaes-Essential-Journalists-Mike-Dodd/dp/0198809573/ref=dp_ob_title_bkGlossaryCFA: Conditional Fee Agreements – a no win, no fee agreement whereby a party only has topay 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 haveto be paid by the losing party, which since 6 April 2019 are no longer permitted indefamation and privacy cases.IPSO – Independent Press Standards OrganisationMaster of the Bench – senior members of the Inns of CourtCosts Masters – costs judge – judges sitting in the Senior Courts Costs OfficeQB Masters – Queen’s Bench Master, a judge who handles case management of cases in theQueens’ Bench Division
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This is an episode for anyone considering a life of crime. The Criminal Bar is one of the mostexciting and rewarding areas of practice but it also faces some of the biggest challenges andshockingly 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 aboutthe 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.GuestsMonica Stevenson: barrister at 25 Bedford Rowhttps://www.25bedfordrow.com/site/people/profile/monica.stevensonThe Secret Barrister: author and barrister https://thesecretbarrister.com/. On Twitter@barristersecret and to buy the bestselling book, The Secret Barrister, Stories of the Law andHow It’s Broken: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Barrister-Stories-Law-Broken/dp/1509841105Karon Monaghan QC: barrister at Matrix Chambershttps://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=CjwKCAjwtO7qBRBQEiwAl5WC29FPrjtXYqJvQ3RIqGtSieE7ZKefhrXNjnao9rJpeeXT0f1TXzf6rxoCqxEQAvD_BwE&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&qid=1566334149&s=books&sr=1-1and on Twitter @wigsandwordsSir Brian Leveson PC: a former criminal silk who went on to become a High Court Judgeand then Lord Justice of Appeal, President of the Queen’s Bench Division and the Head ofCriminal Justice. He is also well known for being the Chair of the Leveson Inquiry, ajudicial public inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the British press.Useful LinksAnyone thinking of a career at the Criminal Bar should read this blog post from 2013 (we aretold 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 worthreading: 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.pdfChris Henley QC’s article on Women at the Criminal Bar:https://www.criminalbar.com/resources/news/cba-monday-message-11-02-19/GlossaryCPS: Crown Prosecution ServiceWarned 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 casefor 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 todo the work. A ‘return’ usually arrives on the new barrister’s desk at the last minute.
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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.
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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.
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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 ofdifferent areas to hear about what it’s really like. What do they love about theirpractice 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 exploredgeneral civil, employment, construction, commercial, public, intellectual property and arbitration practices – and even a practice in ‘death row dogs’ cases…Guests in order of appearanceJulia Horner: Chambers’ Director, Blackstone Chambershttps://www.blackstonechambers.com/clerks-staff/Elaine Banton: employment barrister at 7 Bedford Rowhttp://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 Chambershttps://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 coachand advocacy trainer https://www.11southsquare.com/barristers/benet-brandreth/ and https://www.benetbrandreth.com/ or on twitter @benetbrandrethUseful LinksThe Legal 500: https://www.legal500.com/assets/pages/united-kingdom/uk.htmlChambers & Partners: https://chambers.com/research/chambers-uk-and-uk-barChambers Student Guide: https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/ and some usefuladvice on areas of law (the solicitors’ areas equally apply)https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/practice-areasLawCareers.Net Handbook 2019: The Training Contract and Pupillage Guidehttps://handbook.lawcareers.net/Target Jobs Law: https://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/law-barristersGlossaryAttorney 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 ofintellectual property concerns the protection of rights in those products.Legal Directories: reference books that rank and recommend chambers andindividual 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 offerpupillage. 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 inwhich they qualified). It is used to understand how much experience a particularbarrister has.
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