MAKING APPLICATIONS FOR THE BAR

Mini-pupillages

Pupillages

BPTC

What Do Barristers Do?

• Barristers are independent specialist legal advisers and advocates

• The majority are self-employed but work together in sets of chambers

• Others are employed in solicitors’ firms, business and public sector organisations

• They offer two main services to clients:– Advocacy– Specialist opinion

Some Statistics

• 15.030 practising barristers• 80% of these are self-employed• 66% of all practising barristers are men;

34% women; 11% from ethnic minorities• Approximately two-thirds of barristers are

based in London

How to become a barrister

• Get a good degree (2.1 or above)

• Get relevant experience– Mini-pupillages– Other experience that will demonstrate your

skills and personality

• Take the Bar Professional Training Course

• Gain practical experience (pupillage)

• Get a tenancy

Mini-pupillages• A form of work-shadowing• Usually last one week• Available at any stage of your studies and often

at any time of year (not just in vacations)• They may involve

– Reading papers– Discussing cases– Attending Court and meetings– Research and drafting

Search for a mini-pupillage at www.lawcareers.net/Barristers/Pupillages

What are selectors looking for?

• Intellectual ability

• Outstanding communication skills – written and verbal

• Motivation

• Experience and understanding of law and its context

• Individuality – something to make you stand out from other candidates

Intellectual ability

• Exam results are obviously crucial • Put them in context: e.g. results achieved in the

face of difficulties• Highlight any significant prizes or awards you

may have received• Any other achievements

Communication skills

Written • Essays and dissertations• Any other writing experience – student journalism;

publicity for a society or event• Your application!

Verbal• All kinds of work experience• Persuasive skills

Motivation/Understanding of law

• Bar-related activities, e.g. mooting; debating; Law Clinic; Temple Society!

• Have you talked to practising barristers? visited Courts, Inns or Chambers? joined an Inn?

• Are you aware of current issues at the Bar? Do you read the legal press?

• Have you researched other options in law – especially solicitors?

Individuality

• Your application will probably be read by a practising barrister who has to fit recruitment and selection around his/her other work

• Make your application interesting – make them want to meet you!

• Anything a bit different/unusual will help you to stand out• Work experience and extra-curricular activities can offer good

material here

Quotes

“Most applications for mini-pupillages come from quite young and inexperienced candidates – we mostly have to select on the basis of academic results and anything original or unusual in the application”

“Be concise – a few well-chosen words or sentences, properly spelt and punctuated, are preferable to long rambling essays”

BPTC Applications

• Open Monday 2 November www.barprofessionaltraining.org.uk

• Closing date 7th January 2010 (14:00 hours)• Sections are likely to include:

– Choice of 3 BVC providers– Personal and educational details – Referee details (they will email your referee)– Skills (languages and IT skills)– SUPPORTING EVIDENCE

Supporting evidence

• Mini-pupillages and other Bar-related experience

• Reasons for choice of career

• Evidence of intellectual ability

• Inter-personal skills

• Advocacy and public speaking

• Personal organisational skills

Pupillage applications

• OLPAS is no more• All pupillages are advertised on the Pupillage

Portal www.pupillages.com• Portal opens for applications in mid-March and

closes on 1st May • You can apply for pupillages one or two years

ahead – usually during final year or in BPTC year

• Applications may be online (via the Pupillage Portal or direct to Chambers) or by CV

Making applications

• Whatever the method - do your research!

• Put time, care and thought into every application

• Be accurate – in every respect!

• “Why us?” “Why should we choose you?”

• What did you learn?

Further information - online

• www.kent.ac.uk/careers/siteslaw.htm• www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm• www.legaleducation.org.uk• www.pupillages.com (includes mini-pupillages) • www.lawcareers.net (The Training Contract & Pupillage

Handbook online) • College of Law www.college-of-law.co.uk/a-career-in-

law/barrister-skills.html• Chambers & Partners

www.chambersandpartners.com/uk/

Further information - print

The Training Contract & Pupillage Handbook

TARGET Law

Pupillages Handbook

The Path to Pupillage

My Brief Career

Careers Advisory Servicewww.kent.ac.uk/careers

Careers Advisers for Law Students:Canterbury:Jenny KeaveneyJ.A.Keaveney@kent.ac.ukMedway:Jenny WaltersJ.Walters@kent.ac.uk

Careers Advisory Service, University of Kent, 2009