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I have marked around 500 pupillage forms in the last few years. As Chambers are not recruiting in this cycle, I thought I would boldly share my top 10 pupillage form tips: I do not suggest I am an expert - but these are my thoughts - take them or leave them. Strap in....
One: ANSWER THE QUESTION Why do you want to be a barrister? This is not answered by telling me why you will be a good barrister. That's actually normally question 2. Ask yourself- what made me spend £20k on the Bar Course! Swear. Then jot down the thoughts and construct an answer
Two: EXPERIENCE. Your experience should be woven into your answers and not simply resigned to the CV section. For example, when answering what type of practice area your are interested in, link the answer back to relevant employment, or a moot competition or an event.
Three. HUMOUR is a double edged dangerous slippery high-rsk strategy. If in doubt, do not do it. If you are doubting yourself hit delete!! Oh that reminds me, I never want to see a sentence ending in !!! This is a professional application not your twitter account.
Four: BE MEASURED. Trust me, with respect no mini pupil has given me a closing speech point and won the case for me. I was just being nice. Oversell and you are at risk of being ripped apart. Do not overstate your experience. Do not use hyperbolic language. Be accurate.
Five: LIFE EXPERIENCE. Bar jobs, raising two children, being part of a local reading project, it all counts. Do not write yourself off. Not everyone can do unpaid interns on a trust fund. Don't apologise. Sell your transferable skills. Don't devalue your brand.
Six; MITIGATION. be realistic. Did your grades fall short because of a meaningful life event. If there was one, and it truly did have impact keep, keep your description short and measured.
Seven: PROOF READ. Repeatedly. I once read how a applicant had always wanted to go to Garden Court. I am not at Garden Court. Hello! Have a friend, not a fancy lawyer, read it through. Also, read
it aloud slowly. It will surprise you.
it aloud slowly. It will surprise you.
Eight. SIGN POST. I am a fan of sign posting or headings. For example... "There are three principle reasons why I am applying to xxx Chambers. First...." . You can use bullet points, but personally, not for every answer. Play around. Mix it up.
Nine: DO NOT SWALLOW A THESAURUS. A long, wordy, opening line where you are clearly shoe-horning in as many big words as you can, has me reaching for a second bottle. Simple, concise, professional anguage and sentences are encouraged.
Ten: BE RELEVANT. Yes, I am sure you are still proud you won your Year 8 French Essay Prize, but it undermines your application. Use recent, relevant experience. Less is more.
Eleven- PROOF READ - see all the typos in my tweets above? Clearly planned and designed to reinforce the importance of proof reading.
