Reach for the Bar

Wannabe barrister Ekaterina Zelenova shares some pearls of wisdom from her search for pupillage

Having completed the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) in the summer of 2008, I am conscious of the fact that I have a limited time in which to obtain a pupillage. Five years after graduation and the BVC qualification becomes ‘stale’.

Some people don’t bother applying for pupillages until after they have finished the course, which is understandable as it’s a very time-consuming activity, but in my opinion, it’s a good idea to start earlier. As I have found out, writing good pupillage applications requires a degree of practice, so it makes sense to get going as soon as possible.

While applying for pupillages during my undergraduate degree, I targeted almost every provincial set in the country. I can’t bring myself to look at my first application forms. At that point, I had a very limited knowledge of the nature of the barristers’ work. Still, the university careers adviser didn’t seem to think what I wrote was too bad, and I was convinced that I’d get a pupillage offer, or at least some interviews. I was a little over-optimistic.

Another thing I’ve learnt is not to wait until the deadline. Having some skeleton answers to the most common questions prepared in advance helps to prevent applications eating up lots of time and becoming last-minute. And it’s worth noting that the Online Pupillage Application System (OLPAS) application form can be obtained from the official website (www.pupillages.com) before the ‘season’ officially opens.

Something else to think about is that pupillage selection committees consist of very busy people, who are unlikely to be impressed by jazzy envelopes, heart-shaped CVs or someone trying to be clever in an attempt to stand out. Not that I’ve employed such tactics myself, I hasten to add.
I did, however, see something interesting in January's issue of Counsel magazine. On the first page, there was an A4-size advert from a student looking for pupillage:

    'Wanted: Pupillage for XX XX.

    [photo]

    Reward: Experience, dedication, loyalty, commitment, tenacity.

    [contact details]'

I have to say, I think it was an interesting idea, and I certainly haven't seen anything like it before. On the other hand, it looks a bit desperate, and I’d imagine that it wasn't cheap either. But how else can you make yourself stand out?!

Last year, during the BVC, I focused on commercial, chancery and personal injury pupillages in a few big cities outside London, and, to my surprise, was invited for an interview at a top chancery chambers. But the competition at such sets is fierce, and although I received an Inns of Court Scholarship, I didn’t go to Oxford or Cambridge, so I’ve got to be realistic. So I’ve been looking at some other options – including unpaid pupillages.

I was recently browsing the OLPAS website and came across a first six vacancy offered by Kent Chambers with the £5,000 funding requirement waived: "Kent Chambers is a common law set and now has a vacancy for a first six pupil to start immediately. This will not be funded as a waiver has been granted by the General Council of the Bar. Any second six pupillage will be funded by way of the minimum guaranteed earnings in accordance with the Bar Council Regulations."

What's more, the pupillage application form is one page long, and contains a few boxes for education, work experience and references. While I’d obviously prefer to be paid, I’d imagine the usual £5,000 minimum funding would be pretty difficult to live on anyway, so I’d definitely consider something like this.

Attempting to get a training contract is something else that has crossed my mind. A fellow BVC graduate secured a training contract with a large City firm, so it’s a definite back-up plan. I enjoyed studying law, so I am not planning to settle for a non-legal career. I just can’t face giving up on pupillage just yet, having dedicated so much time and effort in pursuit of a career at the Bar.

In the meantime, I must get myself organised and make the best out of this year’s application forms. Not having to prepare for exams, for a change, means that I can spend more time and effort on my applications. Plus the bad days in my current temporary job in a funeral services company have provided me with a new perspective on the advantages of being self-employed. If only I could express that in a non-desperate manner.

For more of Ekaterina's experiences, see Join the queue from the most recent Legal Week Student supplement.