Shadowing / Work Experience
(for school pupils and/or those below undergraduate level)

Ropewalk Chambers cannot and does not offer “Work Experience”.  As self-employed barristers, we do not have the structure nor facilities to comply with the necessary requirements of LEA Work Experience schemes.

Individual members of Chambers occasionally permit school pupils of ability in state or private sector education, who are interested in a career at the Bar, to “shadow” them for a short period with the purpose of providing an insight into practice as a barrister.  Such period is usually of between one and three days duration and not longer.  The pupil will accompany the barrister in Chambers and to court, if applicable, to enable him/her to observe something of a barrister’s day to day working life.

Please note: Shadowing involves a significant commitment on the part of Chambers’ administration and the barrister/s concerned.  For this reason it is only available to a limited number of students in any year.

In particular:

• Shadowing is only available to students who intend to pursue a legal career and who can demonstrate a real prospect that they will go on to obtain a place at university to read law;
• preference is given to applicants in the East Midlands area;
• shadowing is generally unsuitable for students who have not yet passed their GCSEs;
• the name and address of a referee who knows the applicant will be required.

Applications for shadowing must be made in writing to Philip Turton at Chambers’ address and will be considered on merit.  The envelope should be marked “SHADOWING” in its top left hand corner.  Applications by e-mail or telephone are not accepted and will not be responded to.

The Applicant must identify in their letter the educational institution at which they are studying, their current school year, subjects and exam grades (if the latter are known).  The letter should explain briefly why the school pupil would like to spend time in Chambers and must provide the name and address of a suitable referee (a teacher would be appropriate), who would be willing to provide a brief reference to Chambers, dealing with the student’s academic ability and potential, as well as his or her character, if requested.  Students must discuss this matter with and obtain the consent of their referee before writing to Chambers.

Students applying to be considered for the Chambers shadowing scheme should take care over their application.  Because places are limited, the application will be scrutinised and its quality and that of the reference may be crucial.

We will respond to any application, once received, within 7 days.