Break Through The Bar

LARA WEBBER

I am Lara Webber and currently a pupil at Unit Chambers in Liverpool, a family only set. 

My background is pretty typical, I did my degree at Edge Hill University from 2020 to 2023, I left with a 2:1 (so not the highest grades), I then had a year out and went travelling, I came home and completed my Bar course with ULaw.

I was unfortunate enough to get pupillage on my first try by a lot of hard work but also a whole lot of luck. You have to work really hard in pupillage season, especially if you are doing it alongside the Bar or a full-time job, but luck plays a big part too. Being exactly what chambers is looking for in a pool of 100s of applicants is tough and not something I would wish on my worst enemy. 

I was really keen on family law from studying sociology at A Levels as I loved learning about how people can differ depending on their upbringing and the battle between nature and nurture. I am really interested in people’s lives and how they have come to the position of needing the court system. 

Pupillage so far has been amazing, but also really hard work. I have loved being more involved in cases than you can ever be from a mini-pupillage or marshalling perspective and being ‘behind the scenes’ is something I have really enjoyed. I have seen a range of public and private children law, financial remedy and injunctions. 

I’ve summarised the advice I would give to those going into this next pupillage season or in the next couple of years into 3 points…

Don’t think it is too early to start:

Whether you are thinking of applying in 2 years or applying in the next couple of months, start now. Scout out the Chambers you are wanting to apply to, get them on LinkedIn, subscribe to their Newsletters and follow them on any social media they have (not forgetting some of them have podcasts). By doing this you will be sure to not miss out on their events, insight evenings or days discussing the pupillage process. Make notes on key things they mention whether that is qualities their barristers have, cases they are discussing, plans Chambers has for the future or just key changes in the law. 

Look for their pupillage policies on their websites. These often refer to key competencies they are looking for in a pupil and then implement this into your application. Their policies usually include what pupillage looks like with them. This is really helpful for explaining why you want pupillage with them specifically, whether they organise marshalling or days with a local authority. 

With this, if you have met members of chambers or seen a specific barrister on some work experience remember this and apply it to your applications/interviews in why them. I would also recommend utilising people you have met when writing your applications if they are willing to proof-read or give suggestions but also listening to any interview preparation you have. 

Give it your all:

Prepare yourself for the toll the season will have on you and the plates you will need to juggle. Sending any number of applications off having worked on them for weeks with multiple drafts is exhausting but prepare yourself for the wait for any responses from them. 

It can be very easy to lose sight of any positives when numerous rejections are coming in with the sight of pupillage becoming dimmer. But redirect that energy into giving your all to any interviews you may get, whether that is one or ten. Put all your effort into preparing for the interviews with everything you have and rely on your network to help. 

You are not alone, everyone at the Bar has been through the same process and I know personally, hated every minute of it. Reach out if you are struggling and most people will be willing to help. 

Show you are a person outside of the law:

Chambers want to know you are going to fit in and are not just concerned by your legal experience. Whether it is hospitality, retail, volunteering, hobbies or an interest – try to mention it and bring it in. It will make you more memorable and show you as a full rounded person. Specifically, for anyone looking at family law, hospitality or any public facing role gives you a range of great skills. Dealing with people from all walks of life, high stress situations and conflict all of which transfer into the family Bar. I had 5 years of hospitality experience and no family law experience, but I utilised the skills I had learnt and honed in those 5 years and evidenced how I would apply them in situations a family practitioner would find themselves in.