I do not know if doing a mini-pupillage can help you to decide to become a barrister. I am certain, however, that it could help you to decide not to become a barrister. Three days shadowing a barrister may be the most interesting, tedious and/or frightening three days of your life. But even if you leave thinking you have decided to throw your aspirations about being a barrister into the nearest rubbish tip, don't be so hasty.
A mini-pupillage is where students are given the opportunity to follow a barrister, or barristers, around during a 3 to 5 day period. By shadowing the barristers, a mini-pupil is able to get a feel for what a barrister's life is like in that particular Chambers. Court, meetings, drafting documents and reading drafts are just a few of the things you could see as a mini-pupil. As with any work experience, each mini-pupillage varies in content, structure and relevance. Also, each Chambers is different from the next; some are friendly while others can be a bit stuffy. But that is one of the important points of doing a mini-pupillage: for aspiring barristers to get to know a Chambers as the Chambers gets to know the student.
Each mini-pupillage experience is different from the last because of the characteristics of the law, Chambers and the barristers themselves. If you are studying or have studied law you are aware of the changing face of the law; read any broadsheet and you will understand how it is under constant moulding. Then take a look at the Chambers you want to undertake a mini-pupillage with. Specialisations differ with each Chambers, and unless you are convinced civil law is your calling, you should try sets with different specialties to get a feel for what law may be more interesting or more right for you. Even then, one set specialising in civil litigation will vary from the next.
Perhaps this is the most important lesson of all: a barrister's work life is forever changing. You must be adaptable to survive as a barrister, that is certain. Cases change: some are pled, others are dismissed and some are stayed to another day. Venues move: one day you might be in Nottingham while the next you’re in Derby. The 'actors' you deal with on a day to day basis also change as barristers, solicitors and judges, too, move on around. As a mini-pupil you will gain firsthand knowledge of the flexibility needed to be a barrister.
Yet amongst all of this variation comes a hard truth: a lot of being a barrister is about waiting around. Barristers have to wait for their cases to be called, for the cases before theirs to finish, for witnesses to arrive, for the judge to preside and so on, virtually endlessly. And as a mini-pupil it can be even worse. Sometimes you will not even know what it is you are waiting around for. So you will sit, or stand, or lean, for hours sometimes. You may get the rare opportunity to ask your pupil master/mistress some questions at this point, but more likely you will end up placed somewhere out of the way with nothing to do but contemplate your choice of career.
But all is not lost, for hiding behind a long wait before a sentencing may be a coffee break, or even an early day. Yes! Remember, court is in session only from 10am to 4.30pm (the latest), so you will probably be home a lot earlier than the barrister you're shadowing. And that is where mini-pupils win: no homework. So even though we have to dress in a suit, pay for our own transport to and from chambers or court, bow as we leave court and meet everyone with a smile and a 'nice to meet you', when we leave the courthouse we're done for the day and home just in time for The Simpsons. Well, usually, anyway.
I think the main point about doing a mini-pupillage (or several, in fact) is to learn from the experience. The barristers you are with may be helpful, but then again they may not be. Some are friendly and eager to offer words of wisdom to those of us aspiring to their chosen profession, while others may see you as little more than excess baggage for the duration of their work day. But the truth is, this is your learning experience, so glean whatever you can from it.
Most mini-pupillages are not formally assessed, though there are a limited number of them given out. If you are unsure as to whether you want to pursue a career at the Bar, hold your tongue when applying for mini-pupillages. They are great for your CV, discussion topics and for your own self-esteem but if you mention you're leaning more towards becoming a solicitor, you may not get a place.
As with much in the law profession competition is fierce, but don't let that put you off. Even if you don't get into the first few that you apply for, keep applying. A good rule is to try to do about 3; at that point you have a good idea of what barristers' working lives are like and whether you'd like to fight to join this prestigious ‘club’. If you are not sure whether to do one or not, note that if you're wanting a full pupillage at the end of your BVC, some Chambers ask you to do an assessed mini-pupillage as part of the interview process. So it can be good practice as well for the, possibly, most important part of your career: getting a pupillage.
As a general rule, mini-pupillages are usually undertaken during school holidays in the second or third year of a full time law degree. If you are able to secure one, there are a few things you should know. First, dress in a suit or something equivalent and make sure its dark, preferably black. Make sure the shirt you wear is a solid colour, though pinstriped is fine, but no cutesy neckties: this is a formal event. Needless to say, do not be late. I know that is usually a given, but here if you're late you may actually miss your barrister or the case you were allocated to and be placed reading briefs in chambers for the remainder of the day. So plan to be there about ten minutes early to be on the safe side. Also, because barristers lead rather hectic lives, you may not get lunch on some of the days. Many times you might get invited to a coffee break, but other days your barrister will work straight through to 4pm. So if food is crucial to you during the day I'd suggest you bring a powerbar and keep it in your briefcase/handbag/pocket where you might be able to dive out to the restroom and re-energise.
There is one more thing that could be a sticking point for many of us. Unlike many of the training placements at solicitor's firms, I have yet to find one mini-pupillage that is paid. Not only are they not paid, but there is usually no reimbursement for travel expenses either. So when you apply to Chambers you may want to apply close to home in order to mitigate your expenses.
Hopefully this hasn't put you off from trying a mini-pupillage. I think it is a great experience for anyone entering the law profession. It gives you great insight into the workings of court from a perspective that you cannot achieve on your own. It is true there is a lot of competition but you don't know what a particular Chambers is looking for until they tell you that it is not you. Do your research, look the Chambers up on the internet, as most of them have websites, and find out if you're suitable. And good luck, doing a mini-pupillage is well worth the time, energy and expense.
On a personal note, during one of my mini-adventures I met a highly skilled and wholly interesting barrister who was eager to chat with me about my career path and his own. He said, more eloquently than I have remembered here, that becoming a barrister is a difficult process. But then he added, “If you think you might enjoy being a barrister, don't bother. If you think you really want to be a barrister, there is no point. But if years down the line you know that you'll always regret never having tried to become a barrister, then give it a try.”
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