[Alexr115]

Back again for another push at this.

I made a few errors last year which I'd like to think I won't make again this time. I've also got some more relevant experiences to add to application which may help.

I'm quite looking forward to the National Pupillage Fair, should be a good chance to ask some vital questions before the application process.

Best of luck everyone in your search for a pupillage.

18SJS were painfully slow last year.

[TakeTwo]

Back again for another season. I was an avid follower/poster last year, but felt a fresh start would be appropriate. Seven interviews last season, hoping to use those experiences and create some success this year.

For anyone who is interested in crime - a pupillage advert has appeared on the portal recently - Rose & Dunn Solicitors, deadline is 29th Feb.

[Alexr115]

(Original post by TakeTwo)
Back again for another season. I was an avid follower/poster last year, but felt a fresh start would be appropriate. Seven interviews last season, hoping to use those experiences and create some success this year.

For anyone who is interested in crime - a pupillage advert has appeared on the portal recently - Rose & Dunn Solicitors, deadline is 29th Feb.

Which areas of law were you applying for last season?

Thank you for the Rose & Dunn pupillage reminder.

[TakeTwo]

(Original post by Alexr115)
Which areas of law were you applying for last season?

Thank you for the Rose & Dunn pupillage reminder.

Mostly crime sets and a couple of mixed civil/family/crime.

Rose & Dunn is slightly odd - lack of information and fact they only request a CV (no CL)) - anyone know anything more about them?

[Alexr115]

(Original post by TakeTwo)
Mostly crime sets and a couple of mixed civil/family/crime.

Rose & Dunn is slightly odd - lack of information and fact they only request a CV (no CL)) - anyone know anything more about them?

It's a little bit odd in so far as the pupillage starts in April, I've rang them to confirm this, they said yes it is to start in April and obviously for those who have already completed the BPTC.

I'd suggest contacting them about the CV question, they seemed fine with helping me.

[third time lucky]

Does anyone know (perhaps from last year) when Selborne hold their interviews?

[Kessler`]

You should have a look on the other threads about this. Essentially, however, if you can balance the detrimental effect of your B-grades (including mitigation) with a first-class degree and solid extra-currics, there is no reason you should suffer. Your chances, remember, will be just the same as everyone else. It's difficult to judge without knowing what those extra-currics are. A first will ALWAYS help you - concentrate on that and pull out all the stops!

[legal_lobster_89]

(Original post by Alexr115)

18SJS were painfully slow last year.

Mind if I ask how long they took?

[PuppHunter]

(Original post by Wildman)
Great blog mate. I empathise with a lot of it - especially the studying law when I shouldn't have and resultant 'can't give a crap' attitude at undergrad!

Thanks for this! I'm glad I'm not the only one. Going to try to update daily (unlikely) but do check back again. As a reminder it's mini-pupil.blogspot.com

[Bea492]

(Original post by PuppHunter)
Thanks for this! I'm glad I'm not the only one. Going to try to update daily (unlikely) but do check back again. As a reminder it's mini-pupil.blogspot.com

LOVE your blog! I'm also a musical theatre fanatic, I feel like I could be reading my future. However, after a gap year, I feel like I'll be starting my undergrad law degree with that renewed vigour you felt after your time out (let's hope I can still fit a few shows in here and there!). Keep up the good work!

[TakeTwo]

(Original post by Wildman)
It's safe to assume that they will require a covering letter - difficult to judge a candidate otherwise. If they don't want covering letters you'd have to assume that something odd was going on.

Portal ad states, "Please submit all applications by way of CV to pupillage @ rosedunn.com" - nothing about a covering letter. I'm loathe to start the debate again after the 9BR saga a few pages back, but it does seem a tad fishy (someone in-house that they want to train but have to advertise on portal under Bar Regulations perhaps?).

[Neo]

(Original post by Wildman)
I wasn't going to start on this vein as last time I got accused of being a bitter pupillage reject. But yes, it did seem a tad fishy to me and I drew conclusions similar to yours.

Where is a link to it?

[Neo]

Right, a couple of questions - I'm just starting to have a look at the pupillage portal and am a little confused. Firstly, I can't seem to register. Secondly, I know that people apply for pupillage before the BPTC and I am due to commence mine this September. Accordingly, does that mean that I can only apply for chambers that are advertising pupillages for 2013? If so, there are only six in London that I can apply to... Thanks for any help.

[TakeTwo]

(Original post by Neo)
Right, a couple of questions - I'm just starting to have a look at the pupillage portal and am a little confused. Firstly, I can't seem to register. Secondly, I know that people apply for pupillage before the BPTC and I am due to commence mine this September. Accordingly, does that mean that I can only apply for chambers that are advertising pupillages for 2013? If so, there are only six in London that I can apply to... Thanks for any help.

Wildman is right. The system opens on March 29th at 11am this year - you'll be able to register then by doing as follows, "select the Search pupillage providers option on the top menu and find a suitable pupillage provider to whom you wish to make an application. Once you choose a pupillage provider to apply to you will be directed through the registration process". It doesn't matter which chambers you select to register as you can change the selection afterwards.

I think, with only one or two exceptions, all OLPAS chambers select for the following September.

[Bar None]

(Original post by TakeTwo)
Portal ad states, "Please submit all applications by way of CV to pupillage @ rosedunn.com" - nothing about a covering letter. I'm loathe to start the debate again after the 9BR saga a few pages back, but it does seem a tad fishy (someone in-house that they want to train but have to advertise on portal under Bar Regulations perhaps?).

I think generally when you are asked to send a CV via e-mail, the e-mail itself takes the place of the covering letter; of course it would always be open to you to attach a covering letter instead. If in fact a covering letter is not required then sending one is unlikely to harm your chances; it just means they won't bother to read it.

[younglawyer]

(Original post by Legal_eagle2012)
Hi, my question is about A Level results, and how much weight Chambers attach to them when considering pupillage applications.

My A-Level results are distinctly average compared to most potential barristers: 4 B's. My Grandad died the week before I had the majority of my exams, his funeral was the following week (when I still had one or two more to do) and the night before one of my exams my other Grandad was taken into hospital so I guess there are mitigating circumstances!

However, I'm hoping for a First in law from Reading when I graduate this summer (fingers crossed) and otherwise have quite a good CV with lots of mooting and debating success. Do people think that the A-Level results will cause me any difficulties, or will the focus be more on my degree result and overall performance?

If you got a 1st, I think you should be okay. But some of the leading commercial/chancery and common law sets do specify AAB. If however it's less than a 1st, it might be difficult especially because you're up against good 2.1s/1sts from solid redbricks (who more than likely will have AAA+). Just do well on your degree and get some solid legal experience/advocacy/mooting etc, you should be fine. But I always felt that re-assessing your chances at the end of each academic year is helpful, since your grades and your success that year will give you an insight to how far you can go.

All the best!

[younglawyer]

(Original post by Bar None)
I think generally when you are asked to send a CV via e-mail, the e-mail itself takes the place of the covering letter; of course it would always be open to you to attach a covering letter instead. If in fact a covering letter is not required then sending one is unlikely to harm your chances; it just means they won't bother to read it.

I rang them just for the sake of people on here applying I can't apply for any pups other than 2013 ones. But it seems fishy because:

1. The website looks really dodgy.
2. It's for someone to start in April.
3. I'm yet to hear of a pupillage application with just a CV, how are you supposed to know what that person is like? - Particularly Bar CVs, which tend to be quite academic compared to most.

Do you mean that they want to train someone already there and are just bending the rule slightly by putting it up on PPortal?

[Alexr115]

(Original post by legal_lobster_89)
Mind if I ask how long they took?

I think I sent my application in October 2010, way before the deadline. I had no acknowledgement until the summer of 2011 basically saying that they've had a high number of applications and will be in touch. I think the rejection letter was September. Things might be different this year though.

[alphaman]

(Original post by resipsaloq)
If you have an excellent academic record (first class grades from a good university) and enough relevant experience (minis, mooting, marshalling) commercial/chancery sets will look at you. I have no idea about criminal.

So, I guess I'm a hopeless dreamer then?

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/show....php?t=1930334

[charly533]

I just wanted to wish everyone the best of luck for applications this season. I applied for pupillage during the first year of the part-time BPTC and was fortunate enough to attain pupillage at a common law set which I'm due to commence this October. If my experience can assist anyone then I would be more than happy to help, so please do not hesitate to PM me.