Getting insights directly from inside a pupillage committee can be extremely difficult to obtain – but nevertheless extremely valuable. Fortunately for any aspiring barristers out there – this episode aims to help bridge that gap! 👇
For this episode of the #MoreFromLaw podcast, I spoke to Genevieve Reed, who sits on the Pupillage Committee for Red Lion Chambers. In this episode, we discuss:
- An overview of the pupillage recruitment process
- Her best advice for each stage applicants will go through
- Key skills to try and demonstrate throughout your application
- How the bar and the judicial system might be affected by COVID-19
And more! An incredibly insightful episode packed with actionable tips. Listen to the full episode via the links below!
SPOTIFY – https://open.spotify.com/episode/4PEmYg2S1pSrXdOGEmiezB
iTUNES – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ep-25-pupillage-tips-from-recruiters-perspective-genevieve/id1497485950?i=1000478574256
Show Notes and Further Resources
Patreon members can get access to curated, in-depth summaries of this episode’s key takeaway points of learning and links to mentioned resources, alongside a host of others features and toolkits, whilst helping support the running costs of the show. Learn more here.
How do you become a barrister?
Do I have to complete mini-pupillages in order to secure a pupillage?
Do I have to complete a pupillage in order to secure tenancy?
Pupillage Application Tips from the Pupillage Committee
The First and Second-Round Interview
1) The first-round interview process differs depending on the area of law.
Example: in criminal chambers, the first interview would be quick, in person and in front of a two-to-three-member panel.
There is a short advocacy exercise lasting ten to fifteen minutes, with perhaps two to three questions afterwards. It is therefore vital to keep up to date with commercial awareness in relation to law. You must arrive twenty to thirty minutes before your allotted time to prepare.
You will be provided with a sheet of current legal topics and will be asked to argue either for or against in the interview. It is best to prepare both viewpoints, as you might be asked to present the opposite way to which you prepared. If this happens and you are caught off guard, politely ask if you can have a moment to consider your answer.
Criminal law example: “A suspect in a rape case should remain anonymous until convicted.”
Expected, more generic, questions might follow, such as “Why did you want to come to the criminal bar?”
2) The second-round interview is longer and features a larger panel.
You will be asked to come in early to prepare for another advocacy exercise. This time you will complete a court task which is done in your early years as a barrister, such as a bail application or a plea in mitigation. You should expect to be asked questions relating to your application form, or standard questions such as “Why do you want to come to our chambers?”
Can I apply for pupillage before finishing the Bar Course?
I have limited contacts and I am worried that this will impact my application success.
What else makes a great candidate aside from advocacy skills?
Barrister v Solicitor – what’s the difference?
How might COVID-19 affect the Bar?
