Break Through The Bar

Emelia Boyle, who started her criminal pupillage at Trinity Chambers in October, tells us about her top tips for securing pupillage during the bar course.

Prepare in advance

One of the hardest parts of your bar course is when Pupillage season comes around, and the clock is ticking to get your applications drafted and submitted. In my experience, setting up my profile, reading ahead and shortlisting adverts asap, and beginning to make notes well in advance of the deadline was very much worth it.
Whilst the Bar Course is always full steam ahead, there is no doubt when exam season comes around the capacity of work you’re doing massively increases. Making sure you have first drafts done and written before this for applications will leave you in a much more confident position. It is quality not quantity! Rushing applications can lead to silly mistakes, and drafting early allows time for your work to be read over and any feedback to be given.

Make use of the careers support during your BPC.

Following on from above, having your drafts done in advance leaves time to make use of the careers support during your BPC. Whether it is the careers team, a mentor, or whoever is willing to help, make sure you’re making the most of the connections around you to read over applications. This extends to interview periods. Many run mock interview schemes and doing these in advance are so worth it, as sometimes you can have invitations for interviews for the next day! Remember, they have been through this process so many times, and know what chambers are looking for. Many also have feedback from previous years- which you would simply miss out on if you don’t engage! I remember my careers supervisor at the University of Law saying that those who interact with the services before the end of the year always end up getting pupillage sooner. It is an amazing service, make the most if it!

Be proactive!

Onto interviews! Many doing the BPC, like myself, haven’t worked before in the legal sector, and therefore my practical experiences came from Mini Pupillages, marshalling and shadowing etc. Therefore, utilising other skills you have and showing chambers why you have the skills to be a successful barrister is so important. For example, have you worked in a role where have you dealt with difficult people, frustrated people, young people, emotional people? Dealing with these circumstances is an example of how you’ve dealt with people from all walks of life. Have you worked in a school- you’re using advocacy every day! What about in a pub, you have experience of building relationships with people! Thinking outside the box of what skills you have, how you have developed them, and why they apply to the bar is showing chambers why you’re a good investment.

Be yourself.

During interviews, it is so easy to let nerves get the better of you. But trying to stay calm, show your personality, and present the best version of yourself is something that will show chambers you’re the sort of person they want on board. Afterall, the pupils often have lot of forward-facing responsibilities, whether that be careers fairs, or open evenings. What do you have that is going to help promote chambers, and will make you an asset to them? As well as speaking about why you’re confident, and why you will be able to succeed, show them! The interview is an opportunity throughout to display your advocacy experience and demonstrate why you’re ready to step into court on your first day of pupillage and thrive. Let them see that!