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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

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MAKING APPLICATIONS FOR THE BAR

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  1. MAKING APPLICATIONS FOR THE BAR Mini-pupillages Pupillages BPTC

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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?

  10. 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

  11. 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”

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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?

  16. 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/

  17. Further information - print The Training Contract & Pupillage Handbook TARGET Law Pupillages Handbook The Path to Pupillage My Brief Career

  18. Careers Advisory Service www.kent.ac.uk/careers Careers Advisers for Law Students: Canterbury: Jenny Keaveney J.A.Keaveney@kent.ac.uk Medway: Jenny Walters J.Walters@kent.ac.uk  Careers Advisory Service, University of Kent, 2009

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