Life as a pupil

It's always a daunting prospect, diving into the unknown. And there are many unknowns about starting pupillage. What will be expected of me? How should I behave with my supervisor? Will I feel like I'm getting in the way? What will be my role in Chambers?

From day one at 15NBS, I never felt like I was getting in the way. My supervisor went out of his way to make sure I got to know people in Chambers, and in court he would introduce me to solicitors and lay clients as his colleague. I was in court nearly every day during my first six. Before attending court I would read the papers and do some research, depending on the subject matter - either for my supervisor or for me, so I had some idea what was going on once I was at court! Time was also spent preparing more substantial pieces of work for both my pupil supervisor and other members of chambers - this consisted of researching a particular area of law, drafting an advice on evidence or preparing a brief for trial. This meant that I gained experience for my own practice but also gave me an opportunity to get to know other members and for them to comment on my work. Levels of feedback did vary, however, most people were happy to give pointers or let me see their final product. What was also important during the first six months was following other pupils and junior tenants who were appearing regularly in the Magistrates' Court, in order to get some idea about what my own impending court appearances would be like.

My second six started off with a bang with my first court appearance in the Crown Court, upon the request of my supervisor. I had blissfully been preparing a skeleton argument on a slightly obscure point and then, all of a sudden, I was the person who had to argue it. Needless to say I was somewhat apprehensive about the whole experience and badgered any unfortunate member who was in Chambers about all possible permutations. That experience (which turned out very well in the end) made me realise how well supported pupils really are at 15NBS. The most senior members never gave me the impression that I was wasting their time with my silly concerns and I always felt able to call on members of all levels with any queries I had.

I did have a slightly unusual second six in that I had already arranged, before starting pupillage, to go to the International Criminal Court in The Hague for three months. When asked in my interview if there was anything to prevent me from starting my pupillage early, I naturally hesitated before saying yes. However my internship at The Hague was something I was very unwilling to give up. I was not at all sure how a committee would take to me telling them that I would prioritise The Hague over starting pupillage early. The committee's response was, in fact, to say that they would highly encourage such a placement for their tenants and they could not see any reason why they would not encourage it for their pupils. That was a determining factor in my choice of Chambers - most other Chambers did not seem at all interested when I expressed similar interests. 15NBS did everything possible to ensure that my time away fitted into my pupillage smoothly and supported me wholly in my dealings with the Bar Council.

When I came back, it was straight back into the swing of work as though I had never left - I was especially busy with Magistrates' and Youth Court trials. As pupils we did work hard, preparing all of our own cases and also doing pieces of work for other members, but I think that hard work was appreciated. It is fair to say that the end of my second six in October 2006 came around much more quickly that I had envisaged, and we were all so busy that we barely had the time to fill in all of our forms to obtain our full practising certificates!

I spent about three and a half months as a third-six pupil in Chambers, by now gaining more experience in Crown Court hearings and covering more serious cases for senior members in Chambers. During the whole time, I found that the supportive atmosphere I had first experienced still remained. It was always reassuring to have support from the other pupils as well, and we would regularly talk through ideas or problems. In addition, it was (and still is!) nice to enjoy a drink after a long day at court without feeling the pressure of competition, which I think, can exist in some chambers.

Naturally I was thrilled to be offered a tenancy at 15NBS. However I barely managed to celebrate before I was really thrust into tenant's work: I had my first four Crown Court trials in the first month of my tenancy which, needless to say, kept me rather busy. That has not changed and I wouldn't have it any other way.

by Neil Ross, Pupil Barrister

I have spent the last six months following my pupil master, watching him effortlessly glide through court proceedings. It is my turn now.

It had been coming for a while. Each day ticked off before my court debut. It was what I wanted. It is why I am here. I ought to be prepared, armed as I am with the phone numbers of virtually everyone in Chambers, all of whom have said ‘if you need anything, please ring'. In fact, my first court appearance ended with me uttering barely a word on what turned out to be a straightforward matter. For the rest of that week, I rang a lot. It is one thing to have seen another in court, it is quite another to do it oneself. Everyone was helpful, patient and kind. Chambers encourages questions to be asked and experiences shared. I still ring now despite having spent nearly six months on my feet, but those calls became less and less frequent the more confident and experienced I become.

I found that after a fairly short while on one's feet, it is possible to get into the rhythm of how the Magistrates' Court works. It can be frantic and chaotic, but makes its own sense once you learn its language.

Life as a 2nd Six at 15NBS is far from sedentary. Court normally occupies the day, before returning to Chambers to write up attendance notes, prepare for whatever is to come the next day, and undertake work on behalf of members of Chambers.

Below is a brief description of a week, chosen I might add at random. Some weeks are busier, some weeks quieter:

Monday: A trial at Worthing Magistrates' Court for a public order offence. The trial is adjourned because the client has just been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

Tuesday: A sentence at Thames Magistrates' Court. The client arrives, slightly drunk. He asks whether he might get a custodial sentence. I say yes. He leaves.

Wednesday: An initial hearing in an extradition matter at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court. I had not done one of these before so the previous night I spent learning the Extradition Act.

Thursday: A committal at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court. It takes less than two minutes once called into court. I head off to Stratford Magistrates' Court for a remand hearing.

Friday: Back in Worthing for a trial. The client's defence collapses upon further disclosure. She pleads guilty to one offence and no evidence is offered on the other.

I speak to my pupil master most days so that he is aware of the work I am doing and to ascertain if he needs me to do any written work for him. He is the third pupil master I have had since starting at Chambers. It is Chambers' policy to move pupils around so that one can benefit from the different types of practice that tenants have built up. There is the added benefit that as one moves pupil masters, and therefore also rooms, there is direct contact with a greater number of tenants. That has two main benefits: (1) it makes it easier to get your face known around Chambers; and, (2) it exposes you to a greater number of styles and approaches.

No one pretends that pupillage is easy, but if it is what you want to do then that fact should never put you off. My feeling is that it is during the 2nd Six that you really get to know whether a criminal practice is for you. New experiences come think and fast, and the rate of learning is incredible. To be able to do that in an environment as supportive as 15NBS is a great bonus.