The pupillage interview process how best to prepare for your pupillage Stuart Withers on Twitter: "Some pupillage interview feedback. 1 Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. A chambers interview panel may ask this question to get an understanding of your views on the Bar and what the future holds for the legal profession. You will be asked why you want to be a barrister. Pupillage Interviews - Round 2 - Congrapps Receiving an invitation to an interview creates the initial . "It is the same for pupillage." Meanwhile, in 2017, Legal Cheek reported that an aspiring barrister had been left "astonished" after chambers asked her to pay a 10 administration fee to obtain feedback. Chambers are usually supportive when it comes to this, but you often have to request. LOLZ! You will deserve everything you get. The best way to demonstrate these abilities is to use the S-T-A-R method: Situation Its important to give a structured answer, first outlining the situation you faced as a team. Your CV counts for absolutely nothing when youre sitting in a cell opposite a screaming heroin addict who has stabbed his cellmate in the eye and is threatening to exact upon you his frustration that his solicitor hasnt been to visit him. PDF Kalisher Trust Preparation for pupillage interviews Tuesday 23 February Pupillage Interview | The Lawyer Portal The UK justice system is constantly under scrutiny, so its important that you give an answer that reflects where you think the Bar is currently and demonstrates that you have an understanding of the challenges that the legal profession faces and how they can be overcome. Ask for feedback and compare your notes to the feedback you're given by the interviewer. Theres a mystique about the forensic skills and startling intelligence of barristers. Perfect what you want to say. If there is a case coming up, go and see if you can sit in it. Keep up to date with the legal news and changes affecting the areas in which you intend to specialise. If you fabricate, we will find you out. Another set, which you prefer and have always wanted to join, then makes you an offer a week later. The right answer to this question (at least if I am interviewing) is to show you understand what work junior tenants at the chambers do (probably not something you can find out from the website go to chambers events/law fairs etc and ask) and explain convincingly why this kind of work interests you. SA'AD'S TOP TIPS INCLUDE: Tip 1: If you get through the pupillage application stage and you are now preparing for a pupillage interview, well done. It seems to me that you write a good deal about the lack of resources in the court system, including the lack of trained personnel. The Pupillage Interview/Acceptance/Rejection Thread 2023 Watch Let us now get into what we actually came here to read: top tips for pupillage interviews from EIGHT silks! The Panel are looking to assess your raw intellectual competence, your ability to digest and consider information and your oral advocacy. Questions around current affairs are asked to assess how well you keep up with issues that have a bearing on the legal profession. One of the things I struggled with in 2017 as an aspiring barrister (especially as an individual that moved to the UK only for my studies) was finding information in terms of what to expect in the application process, how to prepare and the realities of the journey. This is a period of learning and training for prospective barristers or advocates and typically lasts a year. All will have (or will shortly have) at least a Very Competent mark on the BPTC. Pupillage | Doughty Street Chambers Tip 2: Try to be up to date with the main news stories, in case you are asked about them, and in particular any recent news with a legal connection. Together, we essentially shared our Dos and Donts of Pupillage Applications (which can be accessed here). These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Make sure you show how you plan to overcome any difficulties because this demonstrates your commitment to learning and shows the panel that you are teachable. Value yourself a. Deep breaths, slow and considered responses and substituting a brief pause for umm or err or, heaven forfend, like, are mandatory habits. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Listening to music. Saying something like"I want to come to you because you are a great Set and you do landlord and tenant work", just is not enough. If youre interviewing for a criminal pupillage, be prepared to answer, What are the biggest challenges facing the criminal Bar? Be opinionated without being obnoxious; political without being partisan. Stand your ground under pressure from smug interviewers, but be prepared to make concessions if your argument is expertly blown apart. This question is asked to assess how diplomatic you can be and argue a case sensitively and professionally without feeling conflicted. So you can take comfort from the fact that youresupposedto feel fairly pressured. Tip 2:Research what barristers say about the set/their practice area. candidates for interview; and 7 May: Pupillage offers are made. Discover what a first-round pupillage interview really looks like. Tip 4: As difficult as it is, do not care about the outcome. Temperament/personality: the ability to remain calm, objective and confident while working under pressure with complex or unfamiliar material. How to deal with pupillage rejections - The Guardian You have got to be curious. But there will almost always be a tangential diversion into matters of non-law, often preceded by a vicious, Tell us more about yourself. The cookie is used to store and identify a users' unique session ID for the purpose of managing user session on the website. A guide to pupillage interviews - Features These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Linked to the foregoing, make sure you have prepared to talk about something anything that is not law. When you spend countless hours writing and reviewing applications, preparing for interviews, and then waiting anxiously to hear back from chambers, I feel that providing feedback to candidates that are unsuccessful at interview (particularly a second-round interview), should be a minimum requirement. You don't always have to ask because most chambers have a wealth of information of their website. Can you deal with difficult questions from the panel? T - True You must be true to yourself. Be yourself. As a result, chambers can be highly individualistic. Pupillage interview questions tend to fall into several categories, starting with general questions. A diverse profession representative of those who use the Bars services is a virtue b. Now you need to prepare. You might be asked to give your view on a current legal issue whichyoufind interesting (ie you pick the specific topic). I find this poor. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Its all bollocks of course. If you narrow down your options too much, you might be missing opportunities for yourself. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You must take responsibility for accessing all the information there is on the web, Bar School, Chambers, Inns and the Bar Council that you understand what the process is about. This quiz is designed to give you a helpful steer as to which practice area you might be suited to. What is the BTC and How Can I Fund My Studies? Chambers will expect you to provide details and develop points; they will be put off by vague and unclear answers. Dont be intimidated. Part of the Dukes Education family Together we're extraordinary. just to make sure they could give you detailed information to help you succeed. Tip 1: Pause for thought. Your judgment and powers of advocacy are the skills that cant be reflected on pornographic CVs, and are the ones that matter most. Pupillage interviews - Chambers Student Guide Also be aware of industry-specific issues that are of no interest to anybody outside the Bar, but of enormous importance inside our bubble. If you have any questions about pupillage or mini-pupillage do please email us on pupillage@twentyessex.com. Tip 2: It can be a daunting experience to be presented in front of a panel of barristers asking questions. Application. Typically, sets will have first and second round interviews. Here you can showcase your advocacy skills and other skills that you have which a good barrister would use. The first is undoubtedly preparation. When people make an effort to understand what the Sets they are interviewing at actually specialise in, they are the ones that really stand out. The purpose of the cookie is to determine if the user's browser supports cookies. Tip 4: Some chambers ask you to take part in a mock conference, as if you are advising a client in chambers. Top tips for pupillage interviews from a current pupil One round of interviews, often the first, may be short and focused on a specific skill such as advocacy or may be focused on a set of questions that are being asked to every candidate. Very few people get pupillage on their first application. . Unstructured answers are apt to confuse, or to suggest confused thinking. Like so many others applicants, I failed to secure a pupillage this year which in itself is very frustrating and disheartening (to say the least). Occasionally, some chambers will offer pupillages to start in that year. One interview I attended was even more brutal; we were given five minutes to think up a 2-minute presentation on a topic of your choice. Theyre trying their best to enable you to shine its in their interests for everyone to be on best form, right? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. How to approach pupillage interviews. Make sure you've researched the chambers thoroughly. While second-round interviews will vary, the following are by far the most common when going in for second round interviews. As an advocate, your very purpose is to convince the Court that you have the better case; an interview is no different. 10 Examples Of Interview Feedback You Can Use In Your Next Interview If you are unsuccessful at interview, always ask for feedback so that you . The purpose of the cookie is to enable LinkedIn functionalities on the page. I am not apologetic in saying that to you because the one thing you are going to have to demonstrate if you want to be a barrister is that you are self-directed, self-motivated and independent learner who is prepared to seek out information yourself and then apply it to the courts. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. No legal questions or knowledge required. Go with the flow. They are as follows: Treat it like an exam and make time to revise for your interview. Buff up your strong points. Now, just to give you some background about how this particular article came about - last month, I collaborated with six juniors at the Bar. Be conscious of any mistakes, umms or ahs. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Can you think logically and present your arguments succinctly and persuasively? This cookie is set by Facebook to display advertisements when either on Facebook or on a digital platform powered by Facebook advertising, after visiting the website. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Be prepared succinctly to summarise the main point, explain what was interesting, what your view was and what the arguments against were. These are some of the most widely debated topics in law, both historically and today. Registered in England and Wales with Company Number 08037587. Gobble up Times Law, Legal Cheek, Legal Twitter, and blogs by proper lawyers and academics for hot takes on vexed issues of law and politics. When you are applying to the Bar, you have to understand that it is an incredibly competitive business, against very able people, who will all want the same things as you, and will have the same skills that they are trying to deploy as you. To all the contributors, our gratitude is truly infinite. What you can do however is make sure you are well rested and relaxed, as this will be more conducive to a good interview . This is the linkhttps://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/barrister-insiders-guide. Tip 4: Bearing in mind that a pupillage interview is a daunting experience, remind yourself that the panel are people who want you to succeed. You do not have to pretend you are a barrister giving advice to clients". Facebook sets this cookie to show relevant advertisements to users by tracking user behaviour across the web, on sites that have Facebook pixel or Facebook social plugin. The instructions vary on the chambers and the types of problems that they set. Here are ten examples of interview feedback that you can use in interviews in different situations: When the candidate in . But try not to be fazed. Watch Rebecca, Shanthi, Max and Colm, all recent ULaw BPTC students with pupillage, under. Nepotism and inherited privilege shouldnt have their place at the modern Bar, but they linger. Prepare your answers so that they provide more evidence to the panel of the skills that the chambers is looking for, as set out in that chambers selection criteria which pretty much all sets now publish. Practically everyone answering this question mentions intellectual challenge, advocacy and the advantages of being self-employed. I call it the Constable Quotient. Inns of Court (advice sessions, podcasts, mentorship programmes); and, pupillageandhowtogetit.com. If, for example, you see something on the chambers website about an individual barrister, or a blog or news section that particularly appealed to you, these are the sorts of things you should think about talking about. Many will have Masters degrees. Where are the weak points? The cookie is set by embedded Microsoft scripts. Try to react positively and dont be afraid to stick to your point. It is also acceptable to ask for a minute to compose yourself as a rushed answer looks worse than asking for time to think about your answer. For the most part, the truthful answer will be: Because you are a chambers, any chambers, and I would literally accept a pupillage in a chambers run by bees at this moment in time. Again, its a nasty question that interviewers know is near-impossible to answer. You are expressly prohibited from electronically storing any material found here or republishing it by any means. What exactly did you learn? Tip 3: When it comes to the actual interview, different chambers have different modes of interview. Your CV and experiences will form the basis of pupillage interview questions you are asked. I advise you not to close yourself off from experiencing different areas of law, even those you think you might not like. If youve done a mini-pupillage at that chambers, that will help formulate a complimentary response. If you are a student with a Disability Support Agreement do not be afraid to request extra time for advocacy preparation or exercises. You could be asked questions like: This question is asked to assess where you get your knowledge of current affairs topics from and how you process that information in relation to the law. Thu 30 May 2013 04.00 EDT. Do some research on the different types of tasks you might be given at a pupillage interview and practise them too. Dont just put stuff on your form for the sake of making it stand out. Look at their website, but not just their website. You cannot control what they interviewers say and what they think. I beg you not to answer a question about a case which you have said fascinated you the poor interviewer is trying to give you a chance to show off here - by saying it was a year ago and you cant really remember. The Times has today published a fine piece on applying for pupillage, reflecting the advice and experience of some survivors of the process, both applicants and interviewers. To give you another illustration, we always say "our problems are not a test of your legal knowledge". Therefore, to that extent at least, you control the narrative of your interview. Remember, if you are a member of Inner Temple you can contact the Education & Training Department to apply for a mock interview under the Inn's Mock Interview Scheme. Be honest, but ensure that you give clear explanations why you have considered other careers and why you ultimately chose to pursue a career as a barrister. Having had the privilege of seeing life from both sides of the interview table, I thought Id offer my own, largely worthless musings on the things I have learned. Research the chambers . When answering this question, you must make it personal to you and immediately refer to your experiences to back up your reasons for wanting to be a barrister. This is a analytic and behavioural cookie used for improving the visitor experience on the website. You should approach the interview process confidently. These are all necessary but insufficient. 'The bar must do better at giving pupillage applicants feedback' Some sets will hold only one interview for pupillage candidates, but most will hold two. Going out for a walk. However, dont ask questions you should know the answer to; chambers will often provide a great deal of information about pupillage on their website. This question is asked to assess how well you keep up with current high profile cases and how your personal and professional experiences may influence a particular viewpoint. You need to know this answer off the top of your head, but practice making it sound spontaneous and sincere. Many will have impressive previous careers, either in law or outside, and as a twenty-something BPTC graduate, it is easy to be gripped by inferiority. Check the news for law angles. The Guardian is free to access online. There obviously isnt one solution to this kind of question: the real issue is your mind going blank (Im quite sure mine would). Some questions you could be asked include: This question is asked to assess your advocacy skills and your ability to present a reasoned, logical, compelling and well-structured argument. At my first ever interview, I span a fluffy cat story about how I was inspired by the story of somebody I met on a mini-pupillage, and how I aspired to tread in their footsteps. Pupillage at Mountford Chambers - Mountford Chambers - London As a barrister, you have got to be a problem solver. Please note that you must have already secured a pupillage interview to be eligible for this scheme. Note from Arooj: other resources include reaching out to organisations such as Bridging the Bar and BME Legal. How do we force cowardly murderers to face up to what they have done? Failing that, tickling the ego of your interviewers with a non-grovelly acknowledgment that the chambers is a leading set (all sets like to consider themselves leading) in the particular area of practice is a reasonably safe line. The well-advised will also have squeezed some pro bono legal advisory work into their non-existent free time. The second point is that 30% is enough so that you are motivated to do lots of prep work, check everything and pay meticulous attention to detail. You must be aware of recent changes in legislation affecting the areas of law in which chambers specialise. I do not mean you shouldn't prepare for the interview and give it your best, but the outcome is out of your control. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Are you reactive, defensive or dismissive? Here is a short list of competencies for the Bar: Getting into the Bar requires resilience, adaptability and determination. This cookie is set by linkedIn. Tip 5: Treat applying to the Bar as if it is a case. Pupillages are generally offered almost 18 months in advance of their start dates. Pupillage Interviews (Part 2): Top Tips from Established Practitioners and Juniors at the Bar, The Do's and Don'ts of Pupillage Applications, TRAINING CONTRACT APPLICATIONS AND WHERE TO START, RESOURCES FOR APPLYING TO Clifford Chance, INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN QUALIFIED LAWYERS, Pupillage Interviews (Part 1): Top Tips from Eight Silks. Follow SBs advice. Chambers will be looking for evidence of these qualities throughout the interview both in what you say and the way you say it. Some take a sadistic pleasure in setting you Total Wipeout style obstacle courses at a seconds notice. Good advice. Make sure to ask for feedback. Recognise your achievement. If you did that, it would actually be a point against you because we are interested in the analysis of the principles and not how many cases you know. Pupillage Interview Questions: Examples | The Lawyer Portal This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. TargetJobs Laws YouTube channel has many years of videos of the talks given at their National Pupillage Fair by barristers across all the practice areas this is information straight from the horses mouth. Result Lastly, tell the interview panel about the results of your actions and what those results say about you as a candidate. Written feedback is available for applicants who reach the interview stage - any request for feedback must be made within seven days of the outcome of the interview. Why then make it so hard to become a barrister? Tip 5: You only need one good day. You'll need to be able to back up what you say about yourself with evidence from your work . How do you cope with being turned down? Bring your personal and family life experiences to interview and into your The Times has today published a fine piece on applying for pupillage, reflecting the advice and experience of some survivors of the process, both applicants and interviewers. One of the instructions in our guidance notes is "This is not a role play. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Second round interviews are more intensive, and candidates are usually given a set of papers to review, following which they present an argument to the interview Panel. Tailor your reading accordingly. No feedback was provided in this email fine, so as most would expect I immediately replied, thanking the set for letting me know and asking the panel for some feedback. To do this, I would suggest two things. Interview panels are looking for hard evidence that you can handle yourself under pressure. Find an area of law or a case within the last year which is problematic and . It can reveal a lot about your character and the characteristics you potentially view as making someone a good barrister. If you are applying to criminal sets, the Secret Barristers books are essential background reading. Arguably the biggest issue to affect UK law in recent years, Brexit is a huge topic. Give yourself a pat on the back because it means you are doing something right. Follow. And that is the very best impression you can leave. This information is used to compile report and improve site. An idiot's guide to navigating pupillage interviews If youre asked this question, you should take one aspect of Brexit that you are familiar with and give a well-structured answer as to how that one aspect has changed UK law. Dont see it as something to be feared see it as a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate to the Panel that you have the necessary skills and ability to do the job. But because that is the case, expecting people to be in the same country, let alone close vicinity, that far in . Practise on demonstrating those in interview. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Make sure youve read and watched those for your sets. Current affairs can have a huge bearing on UK law. On 25 May I then received a response which stated that the chambers could not offer any feedback, except to say that 2 of the applicants were a little better and they were successful. Should minors be charged as adults for heinous crimes? A lot of chambers give meaningful feedback which is specific to you. When it makes a good story. In other words, you are not expected to identify ten points and read off the leading Supreme Court cases about those points. Its important to be prepared for your pupillage interview. However, as long as you prepare properly for a pupillage interview, there's always a chance that you're the lucky applicant. The Bar is not the be-all and end-all. In the gap year between the pupillage application window reopening, keep engaging with . Interested in a future career as a lawyer? If you have reached the interview stage, you are already well on your way to securing a pupillage. There are even UK nationals who secure jobs abroad during the time in-between the BTC and pupillage who are now at a disadvantage. BTC graduate and aspiring barrister Kieran Alker recounts his frustrating experience and suggests a way to improve the process. First. You have the advantage of the panel when it comes to your interviews. Again, an interview staple. But what are they and which one to choose? Tip 2: It can be a daunting experience to be presented in front of a panel of barristers asking questions.So it can be helpful to set yourself at ease. Kalisher Trust Preparation for pupillage interviews- Tuesday 23 February 2021 at 5pm Welcome Garry Green Katrina Walcott Rhiannon Crimmins Camilla Darling DIVERSITY 1. Perhaps role-play something similar with your friends. Just remember, for every failure, the next day there may be a success for you to grab on to. This is in the hope that the small suggestion I make below for improving the process for applicants (and, as I see it, raising the standards of the profession as a whole), will be considered. The pupillage statistics speak for themselves. There are three reasons, in my view. Dont be. None, Im afraid, will stand you out in the memory of the panel. For example, the recent 2022 Johnny Depp and Amber Heard libel case could be a good one to cover. For several interviews thereafter, I cleared my throat and proudly declared my thirst for justice, passion for advocacy and burning need to help the helpless, voice the voiceless and improve the unimprovable. According to The Inner Temple, this is a genuine question asked by some chambers interview panels. littlelegsldn. 5. Tip 4: Enjoy it. Answer honestly, the question is not designed to catch you out, but your answer should demonstrate humility. Recently, in a series of tweets on the @ExcPupillage account some of my top tips for pupillage interview preparation were shared. The response was incredible. If there are things you want to ask about or things that matter to you, do not be afraid to raise them. Quick Q&A: The Supreme Court decision on John Worboys victims and police failings, pupillage statistics speak for themselves, Heres whats wrong with Labours attack ads on crime. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile. The short answer is that it isnt possible to keep your nerves wholly in check and nor do you need to. P - Preparation When you think about interviews from the point of view of the interviewer, they will have heard most answers before. Tip 7: If you have special circumstances that need to be taken account of, do not hide it away. Ask for feedback from unsuccessful interviews, and use anything constructive, but dont let a run of rejections cause you to lose heart.
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