MAKING APPLICATIONS FOR THE BAR
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Transcript of MAKING APPLICATIONS FOR THE BAR
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 [email protected]:Jenny [email protected]
Careers Advisory Service, University of Kent, 2009