pupillage interview feedback

This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. One of the instructions in our guidance notes is "This is not a role play. This is a analytic and behavioural cookie used for improving the visitor experience on the website. Your performance at interview plus any presentation or advocacy exercise will be used to assess this. The __gads cookie, set by Google, is stored under DoubleClick domain and tracks the number of times users see an advert, measures the success of the campaign and calculates its revenue. This cookie is set by linkedIn. This is more so the case for those who reach the second (generally the final) round of interviews. On 25 May I then received a response which stated that the chambers could not offer any feedback, except to say that "2 of the applicants were a little better and they were successful". Again, an interview staple. One set referred to this as "sparkle". There is no way I would have gotten silk because I simply had not set the memory track between my brain and my tongue to let the words come out with the ease with which I had them in my head. Make sure youve read and watched those for your sets. Advocacy Panel: it is known as the advocacy panel because this set will favour peppering you with an advocacy . So if you really have a question, then this is your opportunity to ask, but do not feel like you have to just for the sake of it. My carefully crafted applications have been sent out into the ether, landing in the laps of barristers up and down the country to be sifted through and sorted into piles of 'yes', 'no' and 'never in a million years'. To describe a time you had to act on your own initiative, draw on your experiences to clearly demonstrate the problem or challenge you faced, how you overcame it and the result of your actions. A crucial element of the preparation for an interview is having the right mindset. The format of the exercise will differ from chamber to chamber, but will likely require you to demonstrate: Advocacy and presentation skills. See our top tips on commercial pupillage . Finally, try and enjoy the process: if you enjoy the challenge of grappling with an abstract legal problem, this will definitely show in how you present yourself and is much more likely to engender a strong, confident performance. Have you identified the key points in the problem? "It is the same for pupillage." Meanwhile, in 2017, Legal Cheek reported that an aspiring barrister had been left "astonished" after chambers asked her to pay a 10 administration fee to obtain feedback. Where it says, in those now notoriously large and famously friendly letters, Dont Panic.. Remember, if you are a member of Inner Temple you can contact the Education & Training Department to apply for a mock interview under the Inn's Mock Interview Scheme. Impact: the way in which you express and handle yourself during interview. Its also not enough to derail you. Here you can showcase your advocacy skills and other skills that you have which a good barrister would use. Kalisher Trust Preparation for pupillage interviews- Tuesday 23 February 2021 at 5pm Welcome Garry Green Katrina Walcott Rhiannon Crimmins Camilla Darling DIVERSITY 1. Make sure you are up to date with current affairs. This is a period of learning and training for prospective barristers or advocates and typically lasts a year. Through my blog, I share information I wish I had access to back in the day. Unstructured answers are apt to confuse, or to suggest confused thinking. You must join an inn before you qualify as a barrister. See the videoPupillage Interviews Uncovered II. What exactly did you learn? O - Open minded Some people might feel like they have no idea what type of law they want to get into, so they might opt for a general common law type pupillage (which is much more normal outside of London). Linkedin - Used to track visitors on multiple websites, in order to present relevant advertisement based on the visitor's preferences. Quite a lot of what is being tested in these interviews is how agile are you in your thinking, how responsive you are to new thoughts and ideas, how adaptable you are to changing circumstances and how unflappable you are in circumstances where a new idea is being introduced. Impromptu presentations on random subjects; a Dragons Den pitch on something I had two minutes to invent; idiotic Oxbridge-interview questions (If you were a banana, what car would you drive? etc); deliberately confusing written exercises and needlessly aggressive interview styles were, and probably still are, all common features. Tip 5: Treat applying to the Bar as if it is a case. You are the client, what are you advocating for? Work out what your star selling point is, make it adaptable so you can run it over a number of types of questions. That is unavoidable. In addition to pupillage questions, you may be asked to undertake practical exercises as part of your pupillage interview process. Follow. Reflect on them, learn from them, and move on. Look at Legal500, Chambers and Partners and read into some of the cases the Barristers have been in. Professor Jo was very kind and shared the link of an extremely detailed talk she did at Gresham on understanding everything to do with getting into the Bar. Do not worry about how you come across. Ask for feedback from unsuccessful interviews, and use anything . The panel may well challenge you on some of your answers. Tip 1: Pause for thought. Watch Rebecca, Shanthi, Max and Colm, all recent ULaw BPTC students with pupillage, under. You will need to demonstrate that you can answer without using jargon to ensure that you are fully understood. Written feedback is available for applicants who reach the interview stage - any request for feedback must be made within seven days of the outcome of the interview. It seems to me that you write a good deal about the lack of resources in the court system, including the lack of trained personnel. Linked to the foregoing, make sure you have prepared to talk about something anything that is not law. Developing a mantra. this is so user unfriendly that it is ridiculous, no way it seems to bespoke a search for say on gateway and off-gateway, how many pupillages offered or by specialities. Meditation or breathing exercises. You are expressly prohibited from electronically storing any material found here or republishing it by any means. I advise you not to close yourself off from experiencing different areas of law, even those you think you might not like. Applications for pupillage with Mountford Chambers commencing in 2024. 6 Must Prepare for Pupillage Interview Questions So incredible, that I had to divide the article into two parts: the first article (this one) focuses on tips from silks (essentially a view from the top); and the second article, which will be released in the near future (so keep a look out! According to student feedback, the most common exercise is an advocacy test of some description, or a presentation. Why then make it so hard to become a barrister? Tip 3: Do not try to impress the people you are interviewing. This quiz is designed to give you a helpful steer as to which practice area you might be suited to. The purpose of the cookie is to determine if the user's browser supports cookies. It sounds obvious, but nerves in interview upend the most poised performers in your advocacy classes. Make sure to structure these answers and give a clear outline of your arguments. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile. They want you to give the right answer and to respond well to their questions. How to approach pupillage interviews. Where one argument is going nowhere, pivot to a better one. I think the best way to prepare for this kind of question is just to read the broadsheet papers and decide what your view is and why. This is another deliberate question asked by pupillage interview panels to gauge what you think makes a good barrister. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Shearn Delamore Pupillage Interview Questions | Glassdoor Answer honestly, the question is not designed to catch you out, but your answer should demonstrate humility. On 25 May I then received a response which stated that the chambers could not offer any feedback, except to say that 2 of the applicants were a little better and they were successful. We ask any questions? at the end, but most people say no and personally Im not impressed by question-askers. SA'AD'S TOP TIPS INCLUDE: Tip 1: If you get through the pupillage application stage and you are now preparing for a pupillage interview, well done. Tip 2: Structure your answers. This will include looking at the feedback of other practitioners, the structure and development of your pupillage and the requirements of the Professional Statement. Chambers also look for evidence of certain personal values such as integrity and self-assurance. I genuinely dont think hobbies etc make a difference (except maybe if theyre done to a really high level, and even then, imo they only make a difference on the paper sift). In the gap year between the pupillage application window reopening, keep engaging with . Can you think logically and present your arguments succinctly and persuasively? Zaid Ibrahim & Co Pupillage Interview Questions | Glassdoor Find an area of law or a case within the last year which is problematic and . These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Pupillage Interviews - Round 2 - Congrapps The cookie is set by embedded Microsoft scripts. We use cookies to provide you with a better online experience, to tailor advertising based on your browsing, and for statistics and measurements purposes. Research the chambers . In fact its mostly pretty dull and disappointing. The best barristers take criticism in their stride and seek to improve in those areas where they have faced criticism. Talking to friends and others who are either applying at the same time or who have just done it. I was a disaster. This is the most important case you are going to argue and it cant have a more important subject: you and your future. A few nerves are good for your performance. An interactive law experience. Its important to be prepared for your pupillage interview. Make sure you are not going to be making a misstep by suggesting that they do work that they do not do. Like so many others applicants, I failed to secure a pupillage this year which in itself is very frustrating and disheartening (to say the least). For example: You have accepted pupillage with one set of chambers. None of you are likely to be a senior judge in junior form. Try to react positively and dont be afraid to stick to your point. This can seem equally daunting whether you are facing the interview panel across a desk, or they are all peering out at you from your screen. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, campaign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. I was so bad because I thought I had the answers in my head, but I had not practised getting them out. Have something interesting to say when . Advocacy and presentation skills: the ability to present clear, concise and logical arguments in a lucid and self-assured way. When it makes a good story. It is worth saying because remember chambers are looking to help you. Do the prep. Chambers will be looking for evidence of these qualities throughout the interview both in what you say and the way you say it. This helps your audience to follow the train of your reasoning which is how we persuade judges. Just do your best. This cookie can only be read from the domain they are set on and will not track any data while browsing through other sites. So when you are asked questions, to probe your answer, it is really important not to think that this is not some underhand attempt to trap you to give a wrong answer and it is equally important not to think that changing your mind in response to a question or suggestion is always a bad thing or means that you are revealing some failing. Follow SBs advice. Even though I am now actually a Trainee Solicitor at Clifford Chance, I am a huge believer in making the legal profession accessible for all (be it for aspiring barristers or aspiring solicitors). Tip 5: You will be nervous (if you are human), but try to relax and be normal, without being matey or inappropriately informal. Stand your ground under pressure from smug interviewers, but be prepared to make concessions if your argument is expertly blown apart. The first is undoubtedly preparation. They know what is on their website. He completed the bar course with BPP University last year and aspires to become a barrister. (Life at the Bar is much the same.) Dont rely on the same example for every question, but demonstrate how you have shown intellect, flexibility, determination, teamwork, research skills, oral advocacy, persuasion, and conflict resolution, among other skills. Competition for pupillage is tough, as everyone who passes the application stage knows (seeApplying yourself to pupillagefor more), so being invited to an interview is an achievement in itself. That will just make you self-conscious. Oh, and under no circumstances ask, Did I get the job?! Read and reread your application form. For all the latest commercial awareness info, and advance notification of Legal Cheek's careers events: Follows letter from wannabe barrister first reported by Legal Cheek, Aspiring barrister Noah Gifford describes common practice among chambers as insulting in open letter. The interview procedures adopted by chambers can be very varied. Practically everyone answering this question mentions intellectual challenge, advocacy and the advantages of being self-employed. If you did that, it would actually be a point against you because we are interested in the analysis of the principles and not how many cases you know. Bewigged and Bewilderedby Adam Kramer QC includes a lot of extremely helpful information, including as to what the various practice areas involve. I think just take a deep breath and try your best. The Bar is not the be-all and end-all. The post Aspiring barrister uses GDPR regs to secure pupillage interview feedback appeared first on Legal Cheek. Its boring but it works. But you only need one good interview, so dont beat yourself up too much about the ones that go badly. However, as long as you prepare properly for a pupillage interview, there's always a chance that you're the lucky applicant. 4. Im a commercial chancery barrister who has done first round pupillage interviews in the past, and while I agree with much of this, I have a different perspective on a few points. BTC graduate and aspiring barrister Kieran Alker recounts his frustrating experience and suggests a way to improve the process. Kieran Alker is a first class law graduate. We dont expect you to know anything about that, but commercial practice more generally). Law-related interview questions are asked to get an understanding of your view on current laws and the challenges facing the legal profession. However, in most cases the selection process will include a practical exercise and an interview (usually two). When watching the case, do not look at what the senior members of chambers are doing alone, look at what the juniors are doing. Do some research on the different types of tasks you might be given at a pupillage interview and practise them too. Therefore, to that extent at least, you control the narrative of your interview. There may also be limited notice or preparation time (eg, you may be sent the task 20 minutes to an hour before the interview itself). You do not have to pretend you are a barrister giving advice to clients". Don't be too arrogant "when I get pupillage here I will". Well the Pupillage gateway website has opened for viewing. I interviewed at Shearn Delamore (Kuala Lumpur) in Mar 2018. But what are they and which one to choose? To all the contributors, our gratitude is truly infinite. . You might be asked about something specific to the type of work done by the chambers to which you are applying. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Secondly, consider seeking feedback from sets which reject you, especially if you were . Second round interviews are more intensive, and candidates are usually given a set of papers to review, following which they present an argument to the interview Panel. Read a quality news website regularly. If I were transported back and asked once again why I want to be a barrister, my answer would be simple: because I want to do something exciting with my life. If you are a student with a Disability Support Agreement do not be afraid to request extra time for advocacy preparation or exercises. The purpose of the cookie is to enable LinkedIn functionalities on the page. Give yourself a pat on the back because it means you are doing something right. You might be asked to give your view on a current legal issue whichyoufind interesting (ie you pick the specific topic). Part of the Dukes Education family Together we're extraordinary. This is to see how you cope under pressure. Prepare for this by thinking about how barristers you may have seen in mini-pupillages did this, and what you would change about that. You will be giving a variant of an answer the panel has heard a thousand times before. When is human trafficking not human trafficking? The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages visted in an anonymous form. Remember, one of our skills it to detect a liar from miles away and to hone in and kill. There will be a lot of law chat. But it shouldnt be beyond your wit to come up with a couple, just to keep the conversation flowing. I have copied in extracts from the talk for your ease of reference, but I would really recommend making the time to watch the full talk. This is a question that genuinely seeks to discover how a chambers can best help you develop if there is an aspect of pupillage you could find difficult. You don't always have to ask because most chambers have a wealth of information of their website. Interpersonal skills: the ability to get on with solicitors, lay clients, colleagues and judges. The point of a mock interview is to get an objective assessment of how you come across. Read publications and websites such as. Used to track the information of the embedded YouTube videos on a website. If you get offered pupillage, you can start making enquiries, I think its a bit pointless otherwise. Point 8 simply reminds me of The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy when it says: The nearest approach the Guide makes to this matter is on page seven-thousand-and-twenty-three, which includes the words expect the unexpected. This advice has annoyed many Hitch-Hikers in that it is A glib, and B a contradiction in terms. We a legal jobs marketplace exclusively for paralegals, law support staff and law firms only. Tip 2: Try to be up to date with the main news stories, in case you are asked about them, and in particular any recent news with a legal connection. What was good, what was bad? If there are things you want to ask about or things that matter to you, do not be afraid to raise them. You wont be asked about anything obscure. Note from Arooj: other resources include reaching out to organisations such as Bridging the Bar and BME Legal. Result Lastly, tell the interview panel about the results of your actions and what those results say about you as a candidate. Tip 5: Be engaging. Its important to prepare questions for the chambers with which you are interviewing. Pupillage Interviews Uncovered - YouTube This cookie is set by Facebook to display advertisements when either on Facebook or on a digital platform powered by Facebook advertising, after visiting the website. Id only add that for most applicants its intimidating being interviewed by barristers. One round of interviews, often the first, may be short and focused on a specific skill such as advocacy or may be focused on a set of questions that are being asked to every candidate. Some of your interviews will go badly, some may be an unmitigated disaster. The second is developing a solution which you know helps you to calm down this is different for everyone. Looking back, I was fortunate not to have a chair thrown at me. This is really important because it completely changes the tone of how you present. Pupillage at Mountford Chambers - Mountford Chambers - London You do not have to hit all the buttons, but having some will be good. There are three reasons, in my view. Application. They are as follows: Treat it like an exam and make time to revise for your interview. How to approach pupillage interviews Ishan Kolhatkar Forget clich and invention and speak plainly. Let us now get into what we actually came here to read: top tips for pupillage interviews from EIGHT silks! PDF PUPILLAGE: HOW TO APPLY - The Kalisher Trust It is really important to not just dive into the problem. Go through your whole form, identify all the points you might be asked to elaborate on (these will be points which relate to the selection criteria), and do this for every single one. All it takes to break a losing streak is just one lucky win. Google them and everyone. Make sure you know which areas of law they specialise in, which may be more specialised than just commercial or public law. The purpose of this cookie is to synchronize the ID across many different Microsoft domains to enable user tracking. Go with the flow. This question is an opportunity to demonstrate that you are a team player. Some examples include: The first question an interview panel is likely to ask you is why do you want to be a barrister? Second, if you can, find out who is going to be on the panel interviewing you. First, do your research about the chambers you have an interview with so you know what their practice areas are very well. You should approach the interview process confidently. Hold on to your good points tenaciously; concede your bad points gracefully. At the end of the interview, you may be asked if you have any questions. Recently, in a series of tweets on the @ExcPupillage account some of my top tips for pupillage interview preparation were shared. When you are thinking of examples, it is almost inevitable that you will gild the lily slightly. This cookie is a browser ID cookie set by Linked share Buttons and ad tags. we gear our entire lives around trying to secure one. Tip 2: It can be a daunting experience to be presented in front of a panel of barristers asking questions. Ask for feedback and compare your notes to the feedback you're given by the interviewer. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. This question is asked to assess how diplomatic you can be and argue a case sensitively and professionally without feeling conflicted. Tip 3: Be nimble. For several interviews thereafter, I cleared my throat and proudly declared my thirst for justice, passion for advocacy and burning need to help the helpless, voice the voiceless and improve the unimprovable. The response was incredible. Many will have impressive previous careers, either in law or outside, and as a twenty-something BPTC graduate, it is easy to be gripped by inferiority. Have confidence in yourself! 10 Examples Of Interview Feedback You Can Use In Your Next Interview Read the guidance notes which will indicate how to tackle it and present it. Barristers in chambers often work as a collective to solve problems. Or are you proactive, responsive and adaptable? Practise on demonstrating those in interview. Dont see it as something to be feared see it as a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate to the Panel that you have the necessary skills and ability to do the job. This cookie is set when an AdsWizz website visitor have opted out the collection of information by AdsWizz service or opted to disable the targeted ads by AdsWizz. Used by Microsoft as a unique identifier. How to ace your pupillage interview: tips from qualified barristers Deep breaths, slow and considered responses and substituting a brief pause for umm or err or, heaven forfend, like, are mandatory habits. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". When you are applying to the Bar, you have to understand that it is an incredibly competitive business, against very able people, who will all want the same things as you, and will have the same skills that they are trying to deploy as you. So make sure you understand what is expected of you so that you perform to that expectation. This is feedback that you cannot get in any other way. Temperament/personality: the ability to remain calm, objective and confident while working under pressure with complex or unfamiliar material. According to The Inner Temple, this is a genuine question asked by some chambers interview panels. Dont be intimidated. To prepare for your interview, you are strongly advised to do the following: It is common for sets of chambers to give you a legal problem to present or a topic to discuss at interview. Tip 7: If you have special circumstances that need to be taken account of, do not hide it away. Going out for a walk. You are always better of taking a moment and giving a well-structured, persuasive answer, than answering hastily. The cookie is a session cookies and is deleted when all the browser windows are closed. If youre unsure how to answer a question, dont panic. You will read how your contemporaries spent a year as an intern on an international human rights case, or have written starry and brilliant articles, theses or even books on esoteric and impressively complex aspects of your chosen legal field. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. P - Practise It is very different to have thought about your answers and even to have them written down but it can feel very different when you say them out aloud. In case you have not read the About section of my website, I initially embarked on a career at the Bar. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. These questions arent asked to catch you out, but rather to assess how you would respond on the spot. Chambers websites, and the individual barristers pages on those websites, are good, but online directories will give you an idea which areas those chambers really have their reputation in. Instead, you will be expected to present a logical, well-presented and well-structured argument to address a hotly debated topic relating to law. For me, this is the only second-round interview I have secured to date and therefore, the feedback I was expecting to receive would have been by far the most useful and as such was the most highly anticipated. Another thing to keep in mind is that oral advocacy and written advocacy are very different. Should minors be charged as adults for heinous crimes? This is your opportunity to ask questions about how they cover the specific areas of law youre interested in as part of your pupillage, and to ask about the culture and the wider opportunities available to you. However, there are certain qualities that chambers tend to look for in prospective pupils. The first point to make about the Constable Quotient is that thats alotof nerves. How do we force cowardly murderers to face up to what they have done? Think about whether you could be them in a few years and what type of cases they are doing. All will have done debating, mooting and other forms of public speaking. But dont be arrogant, and dont bullshit to try to preserve the illusion of confidence interviewers are likely to see through that so if you dont know, say so. This information is used to compile report and improve site. Dont be. One interview I attended was even more brutal; we were given five minutes to think up a 2-minute presentation on a topic of your choice. Pupillage - Twenty Essex We only interview pupillage candidates who have completed, or been offered, a mini-pupillage in Chambers. You have the advantage of the panel when it comes to your interviews. Another set, which you prefer and have always wanted to join, then makes you an offer a week later. Youve got this far you deserve this! . Recognise your achievement. Very few people get pupillage on their first application. A lack of questions could be perceived as a lack of interest, so ensure that you have your questions to hand or memorised, because you wont get another opportunity to ask them.

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