Pupillage Applications: PSQB Advice and Tips

Pupillage application season is here once again, with the deadline for PSQB’s written applications, the 8^th February, drawing ever-nearer. For anybody wishing to apply for pupillage at PSQB and beyond, we thought it would be helpful to publish some advice for making the most of the pupillage application process from various members and pupils of Chambers.

When should I apply?

There is no right or wrong time to apply for pupillage, and it is not uncommon to apply several times before receiving offers of pupillage. When you apply will ultimately depend on how much experience you have, and whether you feel further time would allow for you to strengthen your applications. Make sure you look out for the pupillage start dates, as some Chambers recruit two years in advance.

Applying for pupillage as a law student

‘I was never going to apply for pupillage until Bar school, but then undertook a really insightful mini-pupillage and decided to chance it in my second-third year of my Undergraduate degree, and I managed to get through to the final round of interviews. It was a great opportunity to get used to the format of the pupillage application forms, the style in which I should be writing and the atmosphere of the interviews. Importantly, it also provided me with a starting point of my application answers when I re-applied the second time to build upon and see areas of my application or experience that I still needed to improve. It also meant I was not going into pupillage applications ‘blind’, as I knew, to an extent, what to expect. The same went for my preparation of my applications – I think only until you draft, edit, redraft, tweak, submit your applications and then prepare for your interviews do you fully understand the amount of preparation which goes into pupillage application season.

When I applied to PSQB in my second year of applications, I felt much more prepared: I had done a year of paralegal-ing, more mini-pupillages, advocacy experience and was going into the process with a better feel of what to expect.’

— Celine Kart, Tenant

Applying for pupillage as a non-law student

‘My first piece of advice relates to mini-pupillages, I would recommend straying out of your comfort zone when it comes to mini pupillages. For example, even if you have always had your heart set on being a criminal barrister, seek out mini pupillages in other areas of law such as family or commercial. You never know until you try what may peak your interest. This will assist in ensuring you know in your own mind of what areas of law you wish to focus on, and more importantly, why. This is particularly helpful for someone who is doing the GDL or MA Law, who hasn’t covered as many topics or areas of law within the limited time frame of their course. So, when the question comes up in interview of _why this area of law? _ you will have more reasons to provide to the interviewer than just saying you choose an area because you have always wanted to, evidence is key!

Secondly, I would say always apply for pupillage in the first January of your GDL or Masters. Yes you’ve only been doing the course for 3 months so far, but worst case scenario you get a feel for what the applications are like, how to navigate the pupillage gateway, and perhaps an opportunity to interview. Best case, your passion and ability shines through and you achieve a pupillage before you move to the BPTC. Don’t miss out on this!

Regarding interviews, my headline is to ensure you are fully prepared, and when you’ve done all the preparation you can, then just be yourself. Chambers aren’t interested in a stereotype of a barrister and people trying to live up to whatever they think that may be. Focus on the question and give an answer that is true to you, you’ll always perform better if you take the pressure off by trying to fit into a mould. The Bar welcomes diversity and don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through!’

— Anna Chambers, Current Second Six Pupil

The application form

Pupillage application forms do not vary dramatically, especially concerning Pupillage Gateway sets. Many questions repeat themselves or vary slightly, and other questions are unlike any others. Broadly speaking, questions fall into three main categories:

Answering the ‘standard’ questions

‘Perfecting your answer to ‘why do you want to be a barrister?’ type questions can take many drafts. My advice on answering these are:  

• Set aside time to really reflect on your experiences (professional and personal) and how they have shaped your decision to be a barrister. 
• Think about the unique insights you have; don’t feel your answer needs to reflect conventional reasons if these are not authentic to yourself.  
• Keep in mind the word limit and leave time to edit. As the golden rule says: if you can say something in 10 words rather than 100 then do so!’ 

— Hafsah Hussain, Current First Six Pupil

‘The most important thing to remember when answering this question, as with all applicant questions, is to give the answer that is truthful, not the answer you think chambers want to hear. Everyone will have very different reasons for wanting to practise as a barrister, be that because they want the freedom of being self-employed, or because advocacy is their passion, or because they have previous experience working in a certain area of law and want to pursue that as a career.

Whatever your reasons for wanting to practise as a barrister, the one piece of advice I would always give is try and avoid the cliché of “I want to help people”. There are numerous different professions you can go into that would involve helping people, but that doesn’t answer specifically why you want to be a barrister. It could be because you have done work experience in other legal professions and found they weren’t for you, or because of something specific you experienced during a mini-pupillage that sparked your interest. The best approach to answering this question is to show you understand and can be realistic about what it involves and that you are determined and motivated to carve out such a career.’

 Tonicha Allen, Current Second Six Pupil

Answering the ‘curve-ball’ questions

‘My experience of pupillage applications would suggest that ‘curve-ball’ questions tend to appear less on application forms, but they are now more commonplace during interviews. Questions of this nature do crop up from time to time and answering them can often prove trickier than the standard questions which are well known and requested near universally by chambers across England and Wales. Whilst this list is by no means exhaustive, I wanted to give some examples to ensure there is no doubt about what is meant by a ‘curve-ball’ question: 

• Tell us about a non-legal news story that grabbed your attention and explain why you found it of interest?
• If you were asked to perform a karaoke song, what would it be and why?
• If you had a day entirely to yourself, what would you choose to do with it?

Firstly, questions like those listed above provide you as the applicant with an opportunity to showcase your personality. Do not be afraid to be yourself, albeit the version of yourself that you would want people to see in a professional capacity; there may well be certain songs you would choose to sing at 2am in a karaoke bar that are best kept private (a couple of records by a Ms Nicki Minaj spring to mind). 

Secondly, do be careful with a humorous response. This is still a job application and you are not talking to your friends in the pub. The tone of your response must reflect this fact. If you are concerned that your answer may be in any way risqué, it probably is. As with your written applications more generally, get a friend or relative to check it over before you press ‘submit’. 

Finally, do not overthink your response if you cannot think of anything ‘interesting’. All questions of this nature will fundamentally be about assessing whether you would be a good fit in Chambers. Whilst I cannot speak for those involved in assessing pupillage applications more broadly, I believe most chambers would prefer to interview a candidate who on paper is capable, driven and responsible, over a candidate who tries to stand out by projecting their personality in an amusing or eccentric way. This is a serious process and personality whilst important, will usually come second to capability and character.’                                                                        

— Sam Roxborough, Tenant

Answering the ethical and analytical questions

‘Many topics you will be asked about will likely be about contentious and current issues, so keeping up to date with the news will prove useful.

For analytical questions, try to remain impartial (keep personal opinions out of the arguments) and apply logic. Keep answers structured and well-reasoned, arriving at a firm position.

For ethical questions, having familiarity with the BSB Core Duties will help demonstrate your knowledge and ability to apply these (https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/for-barristers/compliance-with-your-obligations/the-core-duties.html).

It is also helpful to have a look at the common ethical dilemmas page on the Bar Council website, to foresee the types of scenarios you may be asked about:

https://www.barcouncilethics.co.uk/subject/common-dilemmas/

Reading practice ethics questions and answers will also help you identify how to give a structured, concise and clear answer.’

— Mollie Briggs, Current First Six Pupil

Standing out at interview

Interviews not only provide the Pupillage panel with an opportunity to get to know you, but also allow you to get to know the panel and culture of Chambers. We asked members of our Pupillage Committee and potential members of the interviewing panel for their advice on how to make the most of the interviews and enjoy the process.

‘The first piece of advice I would give is try to relax. If you get to the interview stage then you can rest assured that you have already impressed the panel on paper to stand out in what is generally a very large number of applicants. An interview is a chance for the panel to see how you think and how you interact with the questions, but it’s also perhaps more importantly a chance to get to know you and a chance to get to know their potential future colleague. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. There is no “barrister” way to speak or talk or act. So, whilst it’s important to be prepared for the questions and demonstrate your ability, it’s also important to be relaxed enough to be yourself and show your personality. Equally, don’t overthink it – it’s OK to be nervous and no one on the panel will expect you not to be.

Lastly, one of the most nerve-wracking elements of the interview can be the “ethics/scenario” based questions. These questions are rarely going to be a test of how well you can recite the BSB Handbook! They’re usually designed to test judgment and how you think. Take your time, don’t launch straight into an answer without giving yourself time to process the question. Make sure you’re answering the question you’re being asked. That sounds basic, but it’s easy to mishear, go off-track or miss the point because you will all have spent so long answering the same questions over and over again. There can be subtle differences between questions so take time if you need it and give a thoughtful answer.’

— Shannon Woodley, Member of the Pupillage Committee

Kate Wilson, head of our Pupillage Committee said as follows:

‘We all remember how nerve-wracking pupillage interviews were and at PSQB we do our best to make candidates feel welcome and at ease during the interview process. To be shortlisted for interview is a fantastic achievement, so if you are in that position then have confidence that we are very impressed by your application. I recommend taking up any offer of a mock interview, whether that be from your university or friends and prepare for the obvious questions. Keep up to date with current affairs and legal news. Consider the depth and structure of answers to questions, and provide evidence-based answers to competency questions. There is often no ‘perfect’ answer so focus on your own achievements and being yourself during the interview. We will always make reasonable adjustments for those who require them. The interview panels at PSQB want candidates to succeed and we have received very positive feedback about the process, from successful and unsuccessful candidates, who found the process to be fair and allowed them to do their best. Good Luck!’

Pupillage applications to PSQB are to be made via the Pupillage Gateway. Applications close on the 8^th February 2023, at 2pm. Good luck to all candidates.