Saturday the 19^th of October saw The Bar Council’s Pupillage Fair 2024 – an event designed to bring prospective barristers together with the professionals to discuss how to join their ranks. Hosted at Convene 133 in Houndsditch, the Fair comprised stands manned by barristers from a variety of chambers practicing in practically every area of the Bar. Alongside this were a series of talks, also hosted as webinars, where the practicing pros gave advice on how to prepare for pupillage applications and, on their end, what they want to see from you – the aspiring barrister. 

Webinars and online prelude

For those who missed the online preludes, such as the “Life At The Bar” webinars, the Fair provided the option to attend talks on-site. This is where practicing barristers shared sage advice for each stage of the pupillage process. Some more niche tips included not only using the recruitment criteria as a checklist, but also the BSB (Bar Standards Board) Handbook as it iterates what is expected in practice. This small, extra step makes a profile positively stand out. Speakers also advised being mindful that recruiters go through countless applications; candidates should write as if addressing someone with a short attention span, breaking down ideas into short sentences, and being confident speaking about your merits and potential. If you cannot persuasively and sharply advocate for yourself, how can you be relied upon to do so for others?

As for the interviews, candidates should be prepared to expand on what has been written in their applications, including work and volunteering experience, or any information researched about the chambers, such as previous cases they have handled. Interviews regularly consists of a short legal problem, primarily to test argumentation and analytical abilities rather than legal knowledge. Tackling the question would be made successful through identifying the key issues and articulating strong arguments for both sides concisely. They want to test how you think and approach complex issues you may not have seen before. 

One segment of the talk particularly struck many aspiring barristers – motivational stories of overcoming struggles. One story concerned many challenges, such as working two jobs – one of which was full-time – during university. This individual also had caring responsibilities that limited their university choice to the nearest institution, which limited their belief that they could become a barrister. These were powerfulreminders to all those with disadvantaged backgrounds about the importance of never giving up. 

Another important emphasis was on remaining authentic by embracing unique journeys and mitigating circumstances in applications. This approach shows the Bar’s dedication to inclusivity, as chambers aim to take on candidates from non-traditional paths and showcases that success in this field is not only defined by outstanding academic performance, but rather by the skills gained through real-world experience and challenges. After all, how can future barristers truly advocate for those they represent without understanding the difficulties their clients endure?

The stands

The more personal side of Chambers was on showcase at the multitude of stands representing sets covering nearly every area of the Bar. Here, mostly junior barristers were keen to speak to prospective applicants about their mini-pupillage and pupillage applications, as well as what to expect on a pupillage year. Advice was mostly aimed at how to target your applications to the specific reasons you have for wanting to join their chambers, and to being forthright in showcasing your own achievements and aptitude for pupillage. 

Talking to barristers practicing at their sets gave a more personal insight into the people under the wigs, their own motivations and the work that they do. Chambers vary greatly, but each showcase their personality and expertise through their passionate junior advocates. As with mini-pupillages, the best way to find where you fit is by engaging with them yourself, and where else can you find dozens of junior barristers representing their chambers under one roof than at a Pupillage Fair?

In many ways, this Pupillage Fair was about openly telling law students exactly how the bar is set for earning pupillage. As such, this event represents a worthwhile visit for any prospective barrister. But you need not wait for the same event next year – on Saturday the 23^rd of November, from 10:30 – 15:00 GMT, there is the targetjobs National Pupillage Fair 2024. Hosted in the Great Hall of The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, this event offers a similar experience for prospective barristers ahead of the opening of Pupillage Gateway at the close of this year. Get online and get your tickets!

Many thanks to Henry Townsend and Malak Noori for collaboratively working on this piece.

Henry is a candidate for the Graduate Diploma in Law, where he holds an Academic Scholarship from The City Law School and a Lord Haldane Scholar from The Honourable Society of Lincon’s Inn. He intends to practice at the commercial and public Bar. Previously, he was a Parliamentary Assistant to two Cabinet Ministers and a senior backbench M.P., after taking a First with Distinction in BA (Hons) History from the University of York and an MSt in British and European History, 1700-1850, from the University of Oxford.

Malak is a second-year Law Student at The City Law School, an aspiring barrister, and a dedicated student representative for her cohort. She enjoys connecting with others, and learning from their diverse experiences, finding joy in sharing knowledge and fostering a supportive community. Malak is eager to use her voice to provide valuable insights and resources to help fellow law students navigate their journeys.