Break Through The Bar

BROOKE SHOTTON

When people hear that you’ve passed the Bar, the next question always seems to be, “So, when do you start pupillage?”

I passed the Bar Practice Course this year with a high distinction, and most people assume that the next stage would be securing a pupillage. Unfortunately, like many aspiring barristers, I wasn’t successful in obtaining pupillage this year.

But rather than seeing that as a setback, I decided to see it as an opportunity. An opportunity to build on the feedback that I had received from pupillage interviews, strengthen my skills, and continue to grow as an advocate.

I sought opportunities to gain practical experience, build confidence, and refine my advocacy skills. That’s when I discovered LPC Law, and I applied to become a County Court Advocate.

I applied for the role in addition to submitting my pupillage applications, so I had a plan B if pupillage was not successful (good job I did).

The application process involved sending in a cover letter and CV. Once I had passed the initial stage, I was invited to undertake an advocacy exercise at LPC Law in London.

A few days later, I was offered the role.

And just like that, I was going to become a County Court Advocate.

It’s safe to say that at LPC Law, you are given responsibility from the moment you start. From day one, I began managing my own caseload, formulating my own submissions, and appearing before Judges.

Since I’ve started, I’ve been travelling around the Northern Circuit, often to courts I never knew existed! I act in a range of hearings, including housing matters, insolvency proceedings and infant settlement hearings.

My cases are assigned through LPC Law’s Network, an online platform used by advocates to manage their caseloads and access case papers. As a self-employed advocate, I’m responsible for organising my own diary and setting my availability. The workload varies; some weeks are busier than others. That is simply part of the nature of the role! Cases are allocated weekly, sometimes only a few days in advance. But again, this is a perfect experience in preparing you for life at the Bar.

Every appearance is an opportunity to develop my advocacy style, think on my feet, and engage directly with clients, opposing counsel, and judges. Even after three weeks at LPC Law, I feel more confident in conducting client conferences, preparing for cases and liaising with instructing solicitors.

For me, becoming a County Court Advocate has been the perfect way to build my confidence, develop my skills and stay in practice.