Pupillage Doors to the Pupillage Portal Open Once More

With the advent of the pupillage doors opening in March, thoughts at ‘The Pupillage Blog’ turn to the usual consideration of the biblical application process otherwise know as OLPAS, or for those subscribing to the political correct, those chambers subscribing to The Pupillage Portal.

It never ceases to amaze me that year on year, the criterion of required questions and answers grow relentlessly in both stature and size on one single continual cyber sheet of ever flowing A4.  A friend of mine commented on this issue of the OLPAS system, when he stated that in one set of chambers they had built Greek pillars from the application forms and that the Barristers marvelled from afar the daunting prospect of having to inspect and read each of the submitted pupillage application forms.

In truth, I have yet to obtain an interview from this process.  Indeed, any successes with interviews have always been attained through the non-OLPAS route.  I put this down to the more practical fact that in short, a Pupillage Committee would prefer to read a succinct application to chambers than entertain a document which gives ‘War and Peace’ a good run for its money.

The Pupillage Portal has released its own pre-action protocol with the publication of the 2010 Pupillage Portal timetable. Within this schedule of events, timings for each requirement are clearly identified, so it is certainly worth familiarising yourself with the different stages of commencement to pupillage combat.

This week I shall be putting pen to paper to pro-actively disseminate my applications to non-OLPAS sets, whilst taking a wider view upon whom to send my pupillage application to when the door of opportunity knocks in March.

Other thoughts this week have focused upon the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test (QLTT).  As the clock is ticking down after being Called to the Bar in 2007, this may become the more prescriptive approach to attain the status of legal practice especially given the momentum of change being advocated by Nicholas Green QC, Chairman of the Bar, as he calls for the need for the Bar to diversify and indeed open the door to other practitioners.

And so now to other news. Popular tweets this past week have included discussions surrounding the Junior Criminal Bar and how it is now under threat from botched Legal Aid Reforms. This was further reinforced by Nicholas Green QC, who said that the latest round of proposed cuts in criminal legal aid in England and Wales, coupled with the absence of a clear strategic vision for the future of legal aid were placing the country’s justice system at risk. I think that it is a question of watch this space as the Bar Council launches a Judicial Review of Government’s consultations on criminal legal aid. However, followers of this blog beware, in my considered opinion it would serve you well to keep up to speed with events especially if you are summoned to interview, as this is likely to be a topical question asked of any would be pupillage candidate.

As always,
Justin Time

Your chosen subject: Why do you want to become a Barrister?

As a good friend once said to me, “We all come to the Bar with our own story to tell”. So as January comes to an end, another pupillage interview concludes.  Unfortunately, it is not the ground breaking news of success, but rather the customary tale of the small manila envelope arriving through the post with the immortal words etched to the paper, “The standard this year was exceptionally high and I regret to inform you, etc…. etc..”.  However, I can at least draw some solace and consolation as the letter concludes that I possess the qualities that will hold me in good stead in the area of law in which I would seek to practice and that I am well suited to the profession.  Comforting words, but not good enough for me to make it through to the next round of interviews!

So amid the air of disappointment, it is upwards and onwards to the next round of pupillage applications and the burning of the midnight oil accompanied with the customary bottle of Shiraz.

Preparation for any pupillage interview should always include a wide knowledge of news and views from the Bar, along with current news and opinions within the area of law in which you seek to practice, that way you can be assured to be able to succinctly answer any curve ball that may be thrown at you during the interview process.  However, nothing could have prepared me for an interview I had recently as I have mentioned previously in another post.

After arriving to the pupillage interview early, I was duly informed that proceedings were running somewhat late.  After approximately an hour, the Head of the Pupillage Committee came to the reception area and looked at the assembled bodies seated upon the plastic and leather upholstery.   He then proceeded to ask the names of those waiting. When it was my turn to give up my name, the barrister looked away and muttered, “Oh…mmm….it’s you…mmm” . Then promptly, he disappeared.

After a further twenty minutes, I was then called and led to a small room within chambers.  In the room were two barristers, (not three as required), one being the Head of the Pupillage Committee whom I met previously outside and his colleague who was a female barrister.

After the customary shaking of hands, I sat opposite.  Suddenly, the Head of the Pupillage Committee stood up and said, “I can’t do this one”. He then promptly turned to his colleague and said, “Sorry I can’t do this, you will have to do this on your own”.  At which point, he turned and left the room.

The remaining barrister looked confused and rather bemused at the comments made and then remarked upon the fact that the Head of Chambers was due to be at the interview, however because of illness he too would be absent.

After several uncomfortable minutes, it became very clear that the solitary interviewing barrister had not seen sight of my CV prior to the interview.  To make matters worse, comments were raised about my age and whether it was appropriate that I should be applying to chambers and that may be I should consider my position as being better placed as a law lecturer rather than coming to the Bar as a practising barrister.  After a buttock churning twenty minutes, the interview was over.  Interestingly, my answers were to have proved persuasive, or alternatively perhaps chambers realised that the interview protocol had just not been adhered to. In any event, I was to be later summoned for a second round interview.

These customary tales of our first step upon the ladder of a new profession are disconcerting and unacceptable.  Arguably it is without doubt that if this profession we hold so dear to join continues to hold such unacceptable values, it will indeed not survive within the ever changing legal revolution.

As always,
Justin Time

Snow arrives to Pupillageville!

So no sooner has the New Year begun and we are now heads, knees and toes beneath the snow as can be depicted in the Pupillageville photo. With the snow comes the advantage of polishing up my sledging skills upon the pupillage bobsleigh, which has also the added benefit of allowing the venting away into yesteryear all of those rather bizarre pupillage interviews.

Importantly though, the time is now to be focused upon applications to the Non-OLPAS sets of chambers.  To this end, I will be signposting and diarising upon The Pupillage Blog the different chamber deadlines as they fall due.  (Note that applications for pupillage with Frances Taylor Building need to be in for 31st Jan).

One significant advantage of Non-OLPAS sets is the ability to be able to tailor the curriculum vitae for each intended application, which inevitably is a distinct advantage over the Pupillage Portal process.  (Perhaps its about time the PP took note!).  However, one key point to remember when applying to any set is to take note of the specialist areas of practice.  When preparing any application it is important to reflect any skill set or experience that you may have that could flow in the direction of the intended set of chambers, likewise ensure that your application reflects your aspirations towards the given areas of law.

Pupillage Blog Award

Turning now to other blogs that may help you on your way to pupillage.  I decided towards the end of last year after many hours of reading endless legal blogs, that in the New Year I would highlight and award the very best of those which would aid or support any aspiring lawyer with The Pupillage Blog, ‘Award Winning Legal Blog’.

To this end, I really wanted to promote to both law students and lawyers alike the ability to be able to find a solid and reliable resource of updated and informative information which provides a true insight into the profession.  So,  I have been actively reviewing a wide number of legal law blogs and those which really make the grade are given a star rating and critique, all of which you will be able to find within the dedicated page entitled ‘Pupillage Blog Worthy Legal Blog Awards’.

Finally, given the advent of Twitter, an addition to The Pupillage Blog are the daily tweets which covert a wide range of legal news and events.  These tweets will be updated daily and will often link to news worthy stories or appropriate information for any would be barrister.

As always,
Justin Time