The Pupillage Podcast

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.

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

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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.