In September 2005, I commenced the full-time Bar Vocational Course at Nottingham Law School . The following March, I took part in the Ropewalk mooting competition. This was a three-round competition culminating in the final, judged by the Head of Chambers. Thereafter, I applied for pupillage at Ropewalk Chambers. I was offered pupillage in August 2006, to commence in October of the same year.
After an intense and thoroughly rewarding twelve months, I was accepted as a tenant in October 2007. This Pupillage Report is intended to provide those who are interested in applying for pupillage with an insight into life as a pupil at Ropewalk Chambers.
Before commencing pupillage, I was provided with a list of tenants with whom I would be spending time. Pupillage was structured so that I spent the first three months with my pupil supervisor. Thereafter, I spent a month with six other tenants in Chambers, returning to my pupil supervisor for the start of my second six in April and for the final two months of pupillage.
The structure of pupillage was such that I was with my principal supervisor as I embarked upon my second six, and at the end of the twelve months. This had clearly been the subject of careful consideration by the Pupillage Committee which was acutely aware of the importance of being completely settled at the transitory stage of pupillage, and as the final decision approaches.
The system was specifically designed by the Pupillage Committee to ensure that I was exposed to a variety of work, with tenants of various years call. It also provided the Pupillage Committee with a means of monitoring my progress as a pupil; all tenants with whom I spent time produced a report commenting upon the standard of my written work and the progress I had made during my time with them. Chambers operates a system of quarterly reviews for pupils, at which time the reports of each tenant are considered and pupils are given the opportunity to discuss their progress with a member of the Pupillage Committee and their pupil supervisor.
The first three months of pupillage were the beginning of an immensely steep learning curve. During the first three months in Chambers, I spent all of my time shadowing my pupil supervisor who had an extremely busy court and paperwork practice; I was able to observe him in court and in conference. I was expected to complete as much of his paperwork as possible as well as having to prepare for each of his court appearances as if they were my own. I was given feedback on every piece of work that I completed and I was also provided with a copy of the work completed by my pupil supervisor. Before and after every court appearance, I took the opportunity of discussing the case with my pupil supervisor and the various approaches to it. As well as learning the skills of a barrister, I was also expected give thought to various ethical and conduct considerations.
In the final part of my first six, I spent time with three other Members of Chambers, all of whom had very different practices. This allowed me to get a feel for the variety of work to which I would be exposed in my second six, and it enabled me to see how Members of Chambers had carved out very different practices for themselves. I continued to produce paperwork and attend court with the tenants with whom I was spending time. Providing me with feedback was incredibly important to each of my supervisors.
In March 2007, I attended court with my pupil supervisor, and with junior Members of Chambers. This allowed me to become familiar with the type of court work that I would be doing on my own the following month. I found these experiences to be invaluable, and a necessary part of pupillage.
During my second six, Chambers endeavoured to balance the amount of time which I spent at court and preparing my own work, whilst still providing me with the opportunity of spending time with other Members of Chambers, whether in court or completing their paperwork. Having attended court on my own, I found attending court with my pupil supervisor to be particularly helpful in the development of my own tactical awareness. There was always something that I liked, and thereafter attempted to repeat and adopt when I was in court on my own cases.
As a general rule, pupils spend three days a week in court. My own court work included small claims (and occasionally assessment of damages hearings on the fast track), applications, CMC's, and infant approvals. I also had the opportunity to complete a few pieces of my own written work.
On occasions, I found myself appearing against junior tenants in Chambers, and written feedback on my performance was provided by those tenants. Although daunting, I felt I got a great deal out of such experiences, not least the feeling that I was improving with each court appearance.
There were occasions during my second six when I felt that I needed advice from a more senior Member of Chambers as to how to approach a particular aspect of my case. I would have felt comfortable approaching anyone in Chambers, however naturally and almost inevitably, I found myself approaching those Members of Chambers with whom I had spent some time. At no time was a Member of Chambers too busy to help, and I always felt happier having discussed aspects of the case with someone else.
Over the twelve months, and due to the quality of work available in Chambers, I saw a variety of work from personal injury to planning enquiries, in the County and High Court.
I found that each Member of Chambers with whom I spent time was committed to providing the highest standards of advice and advocacy. Consequently, I felt that I was offered the highest standards of training. In return, Chambers expected absolute dedication and complete commitment.
Pupillage is an extremely challenging time and you are required to work exceptionally hard. However, it is also tremendously rewarding, you are offered every possible opportunity to reach your full potential, and you are provided with the best start to your career at the Bar.
