Hi everyone!
For those who haven’t read my About section, I initially embarked on a career at the Bar. During this time, I made 20+ pupillage applications, had a few interviews, but also faced 20+ rejections. I then decided to switch to the solicitor route.
In today’s blogpost I asked six barristers and future pupil barristers to comment on one of my failed pupillage applications. I also analysed my own application because I used the lessons I learnt through not succeeding in my pupillage applications to understand how to to create a strong application for my training contract, and I was successful in joining Clifford Chance. I share snippets of my own application below for you to compare.
As a starting point, let me introduce you to the six barristers and future pupil barristers:
Essentially, the seven of us together share our “Do’s and Don’t of Pupillage Applications”. The barristers provide detailed tips on how to approach each of the pupillage gateway questions.
If you are an international (i.e. someone who requires a visa to work in the UK), you might find this article particularly useful as we have given very thorough details about what you need to know about applying for pupillage in the UK.
Before we go into the comments, a general observation I have made is that everyone has a different opinion on whether an answer is strong or not. This makes sense. Answers are subjective. We are different people, we think differently. This reflects why with some chambers you might get an interview, and with others you might not. This also reflects the role luck plays in successful applications – some readers might like your applications, others might not. Keeping all of these factors in mind is important, because the goal is to make sure you are writing an application that can grasp the attention of as many readers as possible. By sharing our different perspectives, we hope you will be able to draft an application that can do just that.
Now, let us dive right into it!
QUESTION 1 - PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS OF ANY POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY YOU HAVE HELD.
I was a senior school prefect. As prefect, I helped raise $26,000 USD for an End Poverty Campaign in three months.
I represented my school in a Model United Nations (MUN) conference at the Hague, and qualified as a Senior Chair for the biggest MUN conference in Africa - where I presented my views to 3000 people from around the world.
I was President of Taylors Law Society. Through this experience I acquired time-management skills and learnt how to work under pressure.
I was a Student Representative for Taylors Legal Aid Society. I helped host a series of fundraising events for the aboriginal community of Malaysia and victims of domestic abuse.
I have a blog www.anaspiringbarristersjourney where I share what I learnt in law school and continue to learn during the BPTC, so aspiring barristers can make more informed decisions. I get enquiries from students around the world.
Srishti’s comments:
While I think these answers show an excellent breadth of experience, I would seek to refine them in a few ways. I would start with the most relevant responsibilities. Markers and supervisors often have so little time when skimming these apps that you want to start strong. I would have put your blog first, your presidency of the law society second, and your legal aid experience third. I would even have spoken about those more and gotten rid of the MUN and senior school prefect roles. First, they lack the relevance of your previous examples. Second, they took place whilst at school, which - whilst they are a representation of your ability to juggle your time and responsibilities - are also heavily contingent on resources and availability and don’t (in my opinion) reflect proactive leadership as well as the other examples.
Kamran’s comments:
It is always worth remembering that a pupillage application is an exercise in written advocacy. Pupillage panels are on the lookout for those who write persuasively, and presentation of information is crucial in that regard. This candidate has held a number of positions of responsibility. In order to present this in the best light I would suggest the following:
Omit the reference to Model United Nations – whilst this is impressive, it would be better served in a different section of the candidate’s application, namely achievements and awards.
The remaining entries would benefit from being presented in a different order. For example (from top to bottom): Law Society President, blog work, Legal Aid Society representative, senior school prefect. The ordering of positions should imply the relative importance/significance of each entry provided by any candidate.
The accompanying description for the role of the President can be improved upon – this candidate has undersold themselves, and more should be done to highlight their leadership, management and organisational skills. In relation to the blog, a commitment to the profession and access is demonstrated; in my view, this can be made even stronger.
Mathias’s comments:
When it comes to positions of responsibility, you are trying to show that you are willing to take initiatives and able to take up responsibility for matters of importance. The focus is of course on more recent positions (i.e. those taken up in university and during the Bar Training Course), but particularly noteworthy ones from school can also be included if considered to be relevant. For those who are short on extra-curricular activities, positions held during part-time work or other work experiences can also be relevant.
To engage the reader, the key is to explain what transferrable skills you have obtained from each experience, and if that is not immediately obvious, state how that experience is relevant to practising as a barrister. If there are any particular milestones or achievements when you were in that role, then it is worth highlighting one or two important examples. As with the rest of the questions, the aim is to show and not just tell.
Tommy’s comments:
Answers that detail specific responsibilities or tasks undertaken in positions of responsibility are desirable. So, for example, this answer is good in that it states how many people she spoke to at the MUN Conference. Instead of stating that she can present her thoughts in front of large audiences, it becomes self-evident through her example. It could be improved by stating (in very few words) how she ‘acquired time-management skills and learnt to work under pressure’ as President of Taylor Law Society.
If you are struggling with the word limit constraint, in my view, it is permissible to not write in prose in this section. For example, you can replace ‘I was President of Taylor Law Society’ with ‘President - Taylor Law Society’.
Mercy’s comments:
Excellent answer, all activities demonstrate leadership skills and self-initiative. It could be slightly improved through the addition of specific dates/times.
Arooj’s comments:
I don’t think I spent enough time trying to bring out the details about the above positions of responsibility which made me unique and which would make chambers understand my personality. Please compare the above answer to the one I used in the Clifford Chance application below:
I have always enjoyed being at the forefront of public activity. I participated in school plays and drama competitions, where I was awarded best actress for three years. These experiences gave me the confidence to represent my school in debates and elocutions, where I was awarded the best speaker in my age group. Through these activities, I improved my ability to articulate analysis clearly, coherently and persuasively.
My debating and leadership qualities did not go unnoticed and I was chosen by my school to participate in international Model United Nations (MUN) conferences. My passion for MUN was soon recognised as I qualified as one of the ten Senior Chairs’ for the biggest MUN conference in East Africa, where I was responsible for maintaining order in an assembly consisting of 3,000 people from across the globe.
Responsibility and the ability to work in a team are other qualities I possess. As such, I believe I was selected as a senior school prefect. I worked with other prefects to raise USD $26,000 for an “End Poverty Campaign” over a period of three months.
I transferred the skills I received from school to University and was successfully elected as President of Taylor’s Law Society, where I was tasked with the responsibility to organise the law ball. A major issue at previous law balls was poor attendance due to expensive tickets and lack of student incentive to attend. I was determined to change this and had to think out of the box to make it a full-house and affordable event. This could only be done by way of subsidy and innovation.
To raise funds, I championed the idea to design and sell law school merchandise, source sponsors and organise different social events. To generate interest in the event, I organised a flash-mob, convinced our university lecturers to perform at the event and had a lucky draw. In the end, we added three additional tables to cater for the excess demand and we made a USD $1,000 profit. This highlights my entrepreneurial and interpersonal skills.
I also possess soft skills. This led to my selection as Student Representative for the Taylor’s Legal Aid Society where I advised clients on landlord-tenant matters under supervision of lecturers.
I had to balance my positions of responsibility at University with my studies and I still managed to be awarded the Best Overall Performer for Year 1 and 2. This demonstrates my ability to multitask, manage my time effectively and thrive in high-pressure environments.
QUESTION 2: WHY DO YOU BELIEVE YOU WILL MAKE A GOOD BARRISTER?
I possess the intellectual ability - I graduated with a First Class Honours in Law, I studied both English and Malaysian Law and I was awarded the Best Overall Performer for: Year 1; Year 1 and 2; Intellectual Property; Research & Writing; and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Good oral and written communication skills - I participated in: debates; mooting competitions where I was awarded best speaker; national and international Model United Nations Conferences - where I had to present my views to 3000 people from around the world. Through these experiences I learnt how to articulate and communicate my thoughts persuasively. Additionally, through the preparation for the aforementioned competitions, I furnished my written communication skills as I had to draft pleadings, skeleton arguments and prepare submissions. My written skills have also been furnished through my position as editor for Kenya’s monthly premier magazine "MyFinda Connects" which has 140,000 readership, as I have learnt how to pay meticulous attention to detail.
Highly motivated for a career at the Bar - Despite being in the UK for just over a year, I secured a full scholarship from the Inner Temple for the BPTC and I managed to attain several mini-pupillages.
Srishti’s comments:
I think this answer covers many of the key points of life at the Bar, and demonstrates insight into the unique role of a barrister. My advice is to always keep in mind the alternatives:
You are looking for a career in law; why are you not looking for a career in anything else?
You are looking for a career in X area of law; why are you not looking for a career in a different one?
You are looking for a career as a barrister; why are you not looking for a career as a solicitor?
The temptation I have here is to say you need intellectual ability for all legal practice, as well as good oral and written communication. I am also tempted to say lots of people are motivated for a career at the Bar; but why is it the Bar that suits you? Is it self employment? Is it meritocracy? Is it less client-facing and more court-facing roles? You are effectively operating your own business as a barrister. Why does that appeal to you more than being a solicitor, for example?
I would also say that I would state briefly why you think a skill is needed before you demonstrate why you have it. For e.g., barristers require keen intellect/intellectual ability as they are often tasked with writing advices, or delivering submissions, on discrete points of law. I have intellectual ability because I graduated with a First Class Honours…etc.
Mathias’s comments:
As with the other questions, do not underestimate this as a clichéd question which has been done to death over the years. This is the first opportunity which chambers will get to see whether you have a realistic understanding of what it takes to excel at the bar.
Stylistically, this can be presented as a numbered list, with each skill set being matched with one brief but practical illustration from your experiences/achievements. You will need to strike a balance, as going into too much detail on various experiences will eat up your word count, and you will not have enough space to cover as many skillsets. You should aim to cover around 4 to 5 practical skills that are tied to everyday life at the bar.
To set yourself apart, try to think outside the box – things like advocacy skills and academic proficiency are certainly bare necessities, but they are by no means sufficient and may even come across as unoriginal. Show a bit of individuality, and think along the lines of wider “soft-skills” such as management of expectations, multi-tasking and time management, teamwork, ability to take initiatives, commercial awareness, and integrity.
Tommy’s comments:
Given the word limit constraints, I think you should be careful not to repeat too many achievements that can be found elsewhere on the application. I acknowledge it is a hard balance to strike as you want to highlight your best achievements (as they are evidence for why you would make a good barrister). My recommendation would be to use cross-referencing to reduce repetition. For example, instead of listing every subject in which you were ‘Best Overall Performer’, I would put – in brackets – ‘see Prizes & Awards’.
Kamran’s comments:
This answer is well-structured and is clear as to why this candidate believes they will make a good barrister. The candidate might want to be more specific with some of their achievements in relation to the examples provided for their oral and written communication skills. Finally, the point in relation to motivation could be bolstered by explaining why their motivation levels will serve them well in the future. The reference to obtaining several mini-pupillages should be omitted, as any prospective applicant will be expected to have some mini-pupillages under their belt.
Mass’s comments:
I consider this to be a strong answer and below I have identified some of its strengths.
This answer has clearly identified some of the success factors that might influence whether or not an aspiring barrister is likely to become a successful barrister. This is identified as being intellectual ability, strong oral communications skills, strong written communication skills and high levels of motivation. Some Chambers will inevitably place more weight on some of these factors than others. If you can identify what success factors are most important to a Chambers, you will be in a better position to tailor your answers to that particular Chambers. You may be able to identify a Chambers’ priorities by gaining an understanding of the balance between paperwork and oral advocacy in their main practice areas. Alternatively, reviewing the profiles of Chambers’ current barristers may demonstrate a theme whereby Chambers focuses its marketing efforts by emphasising particular skills or traits of its members.
This answer also clearly evidences how the candidate has demonstrated the skills and traits that they have identified as being important. It is important to be specific and this is achieved by the inclusion of details such as the amount of people that the candidate has presented to and the specific awards which the applicant has received. My personal rule of thumb when writing applications is to ensure that I am not including anything which another applicant would have also been able to write on their applications. That way, I am ensuring that I am discussing my unique experiences and not discussing my experiences in general terms. Anyone can speak in general terms, but by adding specificity, you guarantee that you will be talking about what exactly you did, how you did it and why you are the right candidate for the position.
Mercy’s comments:
Good answer as it focuses on the core skills required to successful practise at the Bar; high intellectual ability, good communications skills and motivation. The mention of the magazine editing is also excellent as it’s a good example of how to use non-legal experience to demonstrate you possess the skills required for the Bar. The answer could be improved by signposting at the start and perhaps clearly labelling the third skill as resilience (another essential skill for the Bar).
Arooj’s comments:
In hindsight, I don’t really think I said anything unique about myself which really made me stand out. Standing out is so important because those reading through them are flipping through thousands of applications. When doing my Clifford Chance application, I spent three months thinking about how to articulate the unique things about me and I used this to explain why I would make a good solicitor. This is what I did differently:
When speaking about studying different English, Malaysian and Shari’a (which I actually forgot to mention above!), I said: “My diverse background has added to my repertoire in terms of soft skills and sensitsed me to cultural subtleties. I also find adapting to unfamiliar places enthralling. This is evident from my experience in Malaysia, where despite having to study English, Malaysian and Shari’a law and being one of the only three international students in my class of fifty, I was ranked first in Year 1 and 2 and was awarded various subject prizes.” If I was doing a pupillage application, I would then tie this to why these qualities would make me a good barrister.
When speaking about why attaining a First for me was a huge deal, I explained that when I transferred from Taylor’s University to Cardiff University for my final year, I found out that my year in Cardiff would be given one hundred per cent weightage for my degree. This meant that all my previous academic accomplishments would not be taken into account. Despite having only nine months to understand what was expected of me academically, I still managed to attain a First. This demonstrates my tenacity, drive, resilience and ability to deliver results in the most challenging conditions - these are skills necessary to be both a barrister/solicitor.
I believe going into detail about the above two things really helped bring out my personality.
QUESTION 3: WHY DO YOU WANT TO JOIN OUR CHAMBERS? IN YOUR ANSWER, PLEASE GIVE REASONS FOR YOUR CHOICE OF CHAMBERS AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARE INTERESTED IN OUR AREAS OF PRACTICE.
First, your culture which seems to value eccentricities like meritocracy and equality with regards to the relationship between barristers, clerks, and solicitors. Having interned at [x law firm], I learnt to appreciate the pressures under which solicitors and their clients operate. Further, I want to work at a Set that shares the same values as myself because this will create an atmosphere conducive to learning and producing the best possible work.
Second, you are a multi-disciplinary set. Thus, a pupillage at [x] Chambers provides an opportunity to build foundations in a range of practice areas. Whilst I am interested in specific areas of practice at your Set (as outlined in the previous response), exposure to different fields in the formative stages of my career will be advantageous in my development as an effective advocate. Skills that I hone in one practice area can be utilised in another. It will also help me make a more informed choice when I further specialise later in my career. This is more prudent than committing to a very specialised area of practice from the outset despite having zero practical experience.
Srishti’s comments:
There are some excellent points here; your view on the responsibilities needed to undertake the job, and the importance you give to the culture of a set are prime. What I love about this answer is that you can really see the key questions you are trying to answer here.
What skills do I think barristers at this chambers have and how do I have them?
What sort of working environment does this chambers have, and do I like it?
What sort of career will this chambers give me, and do I want it?
The points that I think could really improve this answer are:
Grammar: for example, your first sentence is not a complete sentence. It reads like a bullet point. This is fine if you use that format consistently throughout, but the answer here appears to have mixed bullet points and full sentences and the register of it therefore fluctuates between looking formal and informal. Pick one style and maintain it. ‘Set’ is also not a proper noun and does not need to be capitalised.
At points, the use of language, like ‘eccentricities’, ‘thus’, and ‘zero’, can sometimes come across loaded or not representative of the way you would actually speak and deliver your submissions. You want to be as neutral as possible in your use of words, and as forceful as possible in your use of tone. Those two things are not mutually exclusive. I always say less is more.
Kamran’s comments:
The explanation provided in this response is good. Answers will of course vary depending on which set one applies to, so it is important to remember to tailor your responses to each set. It is also important to draft answers in plain English, in order to make your point clear. A loaded (and arguably confusing) statement such as “your culture which seems to value eccentricities like meritocracy and equality” does not progress the application much further. It is much better to maintain a clear focus on the question, and use of simple language will aid that.
Mathias’s comments:
Whilst this question may seem like a mundane one (as almost every candidate will say that he/she is interested by chambers’ area of work and reputation), if given some proper thought, it is in fact the perfect opportunity for you to demonstrate two things:
The fact that you have thoroughly researched into chambers’ areas of specialism and strengths, by noting some of their recent high-profile cases and leading individuals, and aligning your interests with one or more of those practice areas; and
The fact that you have carefully considered what life as a junior in chambers would be like, by taking a realistic view and showing an understanding of the bread and butter work which juniors do (as opposed to bigger cases usually taken on by silks and senior juniors).
The touchstones of a good answer are specificity and pragmatism – the more it feels tailored to the set you are applying to, the better. What you want to avoid is an answer which sounds too generic, and a useful rule of thumb is to ask whether this answer can be transposed into an application to another set with only minimal changes.
Mass’s comments:
In my view, this first paragraph of this answer could be improved by (a) clearly identifying the point that the paragraph seeks to make; and (b) maintaining focus on that point.
The first sentence should usually identify the point of focus for any paragraph. Here, the first paragraph does this by identifying particular values which are shared between the candidate and the Chambers that they are applying to.
However, the subsequent sentence does not bare an obvious relation to those values, and consequently, the focus of the whole paragraph seems to be lost. Firstly, it may not be obvious to the reader how understanding the “pressures under which solicitors operate” links to the shared values of the applicant and the Chambers (which has been established as being the point of the paragraph). Secondly, it may not be clear how an understanding of work done by solicitors has led to the applicant wanting to apply to become a barrister at this particular Chambers.
The second paragraph of this answer demonstrates a great example of how an applicant could maintain focus within a paragraph. Here the paragraph commences by identifying the multi-disciplinary practice of a Chambers as being an attractive proposition for the candidate. This is the key point being made within the paragraph. Each of the sentences which follow the first sentence expand and advance this point. Thus, focus is maintained.
Mercy’s comments:
This answer seems generic. For such questions, applicants need to demonstrate that they are genuinely interested in becoming a tenant at that particular set. This is best done by personally interacting with the chambers e.g., completing a mini-pupillage with them or attending their pupillage insight talks or student open days (virtual or in person). If personal interaction of this nature is not possible, there are useful sites online that offer great insight into the culture of a set e.g., Chambers Student (The True Picture) and Legal Cheek (Set profiles). The Inns also organise great barristers’ insight talks where you can informally meet barristers from various sets and learn more about their practice areas. The annual pupillage fairs are also another way of personally interacting with the sets you are interested in.
QUESTION 4 - WHAT AREAS OF PRACTICE ARE YOU INTERESTED IN AND WHY?
Insolvency - This appeals to me for three reasons. First, according to the Insolvency Service, in 2017, there were roughly 4,152 company, and 25,479 individual insolvency proceedings. This shows me that insolvency is a sunrise profession with huge potential. Second, an insolvency practice will broaden my horizon as it will give me exposure to different sectors such as the construction and banking industry. Third, I am attracted to the number of different hats an Insolvency Law practioner has to wear: a strategist, negotiator, problem-solver.
Commercial - This appeals to me for two reasons. First, it offers me the possibility of delving into a fast-paced world pervaded with complicated and diverse business disputes. Second, it provides me with the fascinating prospect of continually having to adapt to the current political and international climates in order to advise clients.
Trusts law - This was my favourite subject at degree level. I am fascinated by the idea that a Trust is a living, breathing common law creature, unpredictable yet somewhat arbitrary having a role in softening the harshness of the law.
Tommy’s comments:
This answer is attractive because it is well-structured. At first glance, I can identify the three areas of practice that you are interested in and how many reasons you advance for each one. Clear structure and signposting are essential, not least because it is important when drafting legal documents.
If I were to suggest an improvement to this answer, it would be to make some of your reasons more personal to your story. As it stands, the reasons given are generic (albeit totally valid) and could apply to many candidates. I would mention some personal experiences that led you to these areas (e.g. mini-pupillages, material you have read or webinars you attended). This does not mean the general reasons provided are weak or need to be replaced: your personal experiences can supplement them. For example, where you state that an insolvency law practitioner is a strategist, negotiator and problem solver, it may be helpful to state which experience drew you to that conclusion.
Don’t forget to proof-read and get someone else (who does not have to be a lawyer) to read over it too for spelling and other obvious errors. In this answer, ‘practitioner’ is mis-typed as ‘practioner’. It’s so easy for these types of errors to creep in when you are drafting so many applications and looking at the same page for hours on end. But, unfortunately, it could be what the application is remembered for. It’s like a defender in a football match playing really well for 89 minutes, but concedes a goal in the last minute after making a glaring mistake. Commentators tend to judge the player for that one mistake, rather than the good performance that preceded it. Don’t give your assessor a chance to do that to you!
Kamran’s comments:
This is a well-structured answer. The candidate has broken down their responses into different practice areas, and within each paragraph, the reasons for their motivations have been signposted.
In my opinion, the content of the answer can be improved. Whilst I do not have any professional background in insolvency law, it appears to be trite to state that insolvency is an area with huge potential. Mentioning this, along with a statistic from the Insolvency Service has the effect of taking up valuable space. Answers to a question like this are often better when they are concise, yet informative as to why you are interested in a certain practice area. Again, the explanation provided for trusts law could be improved with reference to a practical (as opposed to academic) reason for an interest in that field.
Mathias’s comments:
This is intimately linked to the question on your choice of chambers, and should be dealt with as its companion piece. When explaining your choice of chambers, you will inevitably touch on chambers’ areas of practice and how they align with your interests, and this question gives you the opportunity to explain in further detail why these areas interest you.
It is good to keep an open mind, but it is always helpful to indicate at least one or two specific areas which you hope to practise in. Given the limited word count, it is better to narrow down your selection so that you can properly explain each choice.
Once you have chosen your preferred areas, you can tackle this question largely from three angles:
Your academic track record – explain why you found this interesting during your studies, and highlight any relevant awards / achievements if you did well in the relevant subjects while in university. This is only a starting point though.
Your pragmatism – show that you have a realistic understanding of what your prospective clients are facing and what interests (personal, reputational, financial, commercial etc) are at stake cases in the relevant area of law. If you can weave in recent talking points from the news related to the industry, then all the better.
Your aspirations – describe what you think a junior’s typical practice would look like in this area, why that attracts you, and how you see that developing over time.
The objective is to show that you understand what real-life practice actually entails and the nature of the work you will be dealing with as a junior, so that you will not come across as being attracted to an overly academic or romantic vision of the relevant practice area.
Mercy’s comments:
Good use of sign posting. The applicant could improve this answer by linking their reasons for interest with their work or study experiences, particularly in relation to Insolvency and Commercial Law.
Arooj’s comments:
To be honest, I think my answer is very generic and can be copied and pasted for every chamber specialising in those areas. Nothing I said was specific to this particular chamber. In contrast, have a look at my Clifford Chance application answer as to what area of law I was interested in and why:
Project finance is my main interest.
It is diverse and trans-border. Your involvement in advising Star Energy, EGCO and AC Energy on their acquisition of Chevron’s geothermal projects in Indonesia and Philippines, the financing of Kenya Airways Aircrafts and advising a syndicate of Chinese banks on financing of oil shale mines in Jordan, affirms this. This appeals to me as I am intellectually curious.
It is the perfect combination of international and emerging markets. This can be seen from your involvement in advising the lenders for financing Formosa 1 in Taiwan and 174 Power Global for Laguna Solar in Mexico. This offers me an opportunity to put my cross-cultural skills to use.
It is an area which facilitates globalisation, public policy and international relations. Through advising lenders on the financing of the Maamba project in Zambia, you turned a collection of permits, contracts and other promises into vibrant economic undertakings.
A couple of things I did differently:
I researched the firm and the deals they had been involved in thoroughly.
I made sure to explain why the area was appealing to me and why I was suitable for it.
Sign posting and structure are absolutely essential in applications but I used my word count carefully to achieve both. For example, instead of saying “I am interested in an area for these three reasons”, I listed out my reasons and left spaces between them.
QUESTION 5 - PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS OF YOUR INTERESTS AND ANY NON-WORK RELATED INVOLVEMENT. IF RELEVANT TO YOUR PROPOSED AREA OF PRACTICE, PLEASE EXPLAIN IN WHAT WAY.
Pilates - Pilates take a lot of precision and control and has a strong emphasis on technique. Similarly, drafting particulars of claim or cross-examining someone in court may look easy, but it is the technique that matters. Thus, through pilates, I have learnt that practice makes perfect.
Painting - I find this very therapeutic. Whilst it is rewarding to see an end product on a canvas, the most rewarding thing about painting is the process that goes into making that painting. I believe this viewpoint will be a motivational factor every time I take on a new case.
Travelling - Through travelling, I have gained exposure to new cultures, new languages and new people. These experiences have broadened my horizon and helped me communicate with a wide variety of people more comfortably.
Kamran’s comments:
This section is about showcasing your personality outside of your professional life. It is included in pupillage applications because sets take it seriously – they want to know who they may be working with in the future. Life is not all about working hard, and everyone should try and enjoy things away from it too.
It is clear that this candidate has a number of interests away from work, and they have explained what they enjoy about each activity. My personal view is that this section should not have any crossover with compatible soft skills that is likely to illustrate compatibility with a career at the Bar, as often the links can seem ‘forced’. For example, whilst there may be some link between pilates and drafting a set of pleadings, it is not necessary to make it. This section is all about showcasing your personality – just be you.
Tommy’s comments:
In my view, the strongest aspect of this answer is that there is an underlying transferrable learning point from each activity to legal practice (e.g. ‘practice makes perfect’ or that the process is more rewarding than the outcome).
At the same time, although this answer does not fall into this trap, there is a danger that you draw absurd parallels in an attempt to show the link between your non-work interests and law. This would be unfortunate, not least because you don’t have to only puruse interests where it has bearing on your legal career. If there is a genuine connection between the two, then show it – but if there isn’t, don’t stretch your imagination too far. It will undermine the persuasiveness of your answer. If, for example, your interest is taking long walks in nature, then feel free to put that down too! It humanises the application.
Mathias’s comments:
Your application is as much a piece of advocacy for your professional competency as a marketing spiel for your personal character. Given the volume of applications received by each set, shortlists for interviews will sometimes come down to factors such as which candidates sound more interesting to meet in person, and ultimately, chambers are recruiting someone whom they will be working with for years to come, so there is inevitably an interpersonal element in the evaluation process.
It is within this particular context that your recreational interests come into play, as chambers do want to get to know you as a person and not just as an aspiring barrister. Indeed, most chambers nowadays have a growing emphasis on wellbeing, and maintaining a healthy work life balance is essential in order to thrive at the bar (as in any other profession).
So be creative, and also be specific. Avoid sounding too generic – if you refer to popular activities such as reading or travelling, you should try to be specific about what particular types of books (with specific examples) and why, or which places / cultures you found particularly fascinating in your travels. If you are lacking inspiration, think about what you did in university. Were you part of a club / society? Was there a particular sport which you are partial to? Have you tried learning a foreign language? Was there a cause which you feel passionate about advocating for?
The possibilities are endless, and there is no right or wrong answer. However, your answer should tell chambers who you are, why you are different, and why they should meet you in person to find out more.
Mercy’s comments:
Excellent answer. The applicant clearly links their recreational activities with the skills required to practise at the Bar. The answer could be slightly improved through linking the activities with the skills required for a specific area of practice (something I failed to do as well in my past applications). The activities also seem interesting and leaves the reader wanting to find out more about the applicant (perhaps even invite them to an interview!). Applicants should be honest when listing their interests and hobbies and should provide sufficient detail where possible.
QUESTION 6: ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON YOUR ABILITY TO WORK IN THE UK? PLEASE DESCRIBE THEM.
I am a Kenyan citizen. As such, I would need a Tier 2 (General) visa, which would require getting a certificate of sponsorship from the company.
Mathias’s comments:
Although this question may seem to put international students at a disadvantage at first blush, there are two very practical reasons for chambers to ask this:
First, chambers are interested to see whether an international candidate is sufficiently serious about coming to the English bar to research and understand the relevant visa and sponsorship processes.
Second, chambers (especially those who have not recently recruited an international candidate) need to know in advance if there are any steps they need to take in administrative and regulatory terms, in order to support any international candidate they wish to take on, provide information to the Bar Council for sponsorship purposes, and also help the candidate satisfy the Home Office that a visa can and should be granted (especially if earning thresholds and/or the Resident Market Labour Test are applicable).
Most international candidates (except those who are established foreign practitioners) will be transitioning from a student visa to a skilled work visa, and sponsorship for both pupillage and tenancy is provided not by chambers directly (as you will be working in a self-employed capacity and they are not your employer), but by the Bar Council at fixed fees depending on the duration of the visa period: see this link.
You should read the guidance online thoroughly, reference it in the application, and be ready to explain this in interviews if chambers are not very familiar with the process. Indeed, it is positively helpful to emphasise that chambers do not have to act as sponsors, as that will come as a relief to most chambers (which are not usually registered as skilled worker sponsors) and dispel any potential concerns. Once again, this is an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to the English bar and ability to carry out proper research.
Kamran’s comments:
Although not a significant point, the candidate is advised to refer to the set they have applied to as “your set” or “your chambers” rather than as a “company”, as this is the language typically used.
Mercy’s comments:
This is a very important section for international students to complete. Before applying to any chambers, please first check if their tenants have a minimum annual gross projected earnings of £29,600 (the ‘going rate’) required for a Tier 2(General) Visa. Although you can now complete your pupillage and perhaps tenancy under the new two-year Graduate Visa route, you will still need visa sponsorship from the Bar Council for the remaining years of your tenancy. Accordingly, it is worth checking if the chambers you are interested in, meets the aforementioned requirements before spending significant time and effort applying to them.
We hope all of the above helps and we wish you the best with your applications!