[Kessler`]

Sweetygyal24, are you absolutely committed to the Bar? The BPTC is very expensive, and potentially of little use without pupillage afterwards. Don't rush into this process please. It might be worth monitoring this thread and seeing how people here get on, with their backgrounds and experience. Scholarships are a good idea, and paid legal work experience even better.

[sweetgyal24]

(Original post by Ewok)
If you're dead set on becoming a barrister then the first thing you need to be doing next year is applying for a BPTC scholarship from an Inn of Court. The deadline will be in November and you don't have to be a member of the Inn to apply for the scholarship, you do have to be a member to collect your scholarship money. There are other threads specifically on scholarships that I'd recommend you have a look at. Scholarships are fairly important- they can look really good on a CV. If you don't get one you can still get a pupillage but you're disadvantaged and it can perhaps indicate that you're not likely to get a pupillage. Nothing is set in stone though.

The final thing to remember is that there's no real rush to get onto your BPTC- it's expensive and if you don't get a scholarship then why not take a year out, get some relevant legal work experience (namely, work as a paralegal) and reapply for the scholarship again? It'll also give you longer to work out what area of law you want to go into.

Also- you do indeed live up to your name! Kudos to you for responding so nicely.

Apparently, the scholarships come out in August of this year and are similar to the ones on the Inns website at the moment. That's what the Educations Officer said to me a few days ago.. the deadline is this November? Thanks, I'll look into scholarships more Paid work experience is one thing I have not got, most of it is all voluntary... I'll take that as a compliment!

[sweetgyal24]

(Original post by Kessler`)
Sweetygyal24, are you absolutely committed to the Bar? The BPTC is very expensive, and potentially of little use without pupillage afterwards. Don't rush into this process please. It might be worth monitoring this thread and seeing how people here get on, with their backgrounds and experience. Scholarships are a good idea, and paid legal work experience even better.

Without meaning to sound like I'm boasting, I do believe that I am.. yes, I am aware of the expense.. thanks for your concern

[sweetgyal24]

Just to clarify too, the only reason why I am so curious about Pupillage at the moment, is because I do realise, having done some research that it is a very competitive process.. graduates can't even find pupillage.. the more I'm aware of it now, the better in the future...

[sweetgyal24]

@bar none, I have been on that link you posted previously.. Hoping to join an Inn of Court soon and apply for the BPTC.. As for Pupillage.. will focus on it more next year, March/ April time

[TakeTwo]

Anyone else feeling the mid-season slump? Suggestions on how to cheer one's self up are welcomed. All options will be considered...

[IllegallyBlonde20]

(Original post by Pupillage123)
If it helps, my interview was last Thursday. I think it is unlikely that they are staggered as Chambers put on quite an evening with food, drinks, networking with junior tenants, pupils, etc. Or maybe someone will pipe up on here and say interviews are staggered, you never know :-)

thanks, and well done for getting an interview!

[IllegallyBlonde20]

(Original post by zsi)
Can I ask the people with Tooks interviews how they found out? Pupillage portal still says under consideration for me.

Thanks


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

i'm still 'under consideration' too

[AbelH]

Did anyone interview at Farrar Building? If so, do you know when we find out either way? (I.E. when do I need to purchase the massive supply of gin to drown my sorrows?)

[HumanRightsPupilWa]

Has anyone recieved a post-first round rejection from 9GS? If so, how?

[LawLegend]

(Original post by HumanRightsPupilWa)
Has anyone recieved a post-first round rejection from 9GS? If so, how?

Nothing yet. It's frustrating, but I could imagine them posting something.

[HumanRightsPupilWa]

(Original post by LawLegend)
Nothing yet. It's frustrating, but I could imagine them posting something.

I assume that since others have had second round invitations that makes for a rejection? Oh well...

[Satis]

(Original post by Ewok)
In other news- I've just received an invite to 14 Gray's Inn Square via e-mail! They're apparently making use of the booking system on PP.

It turns out that there's no apparently about it- they are indeed making use of the system and, remarkably, it works!

I'm having problems with it....as in, no interview slots are coming up as free. Hopefully this isn't because they've run out, that would be a little odd...

Also, congratulations on the interview, Ewok

EDIT: ah ha, fixed. Silly cookie blocker.

[Lawlad]

(Original post by HumanRightsPupilWa)
I assume that since others have had second round invitations that makes for a rejection? Oh well...

It may be worth calling them. The receptionist Pauline seems lovely but I always mess phone calls up so I have held off for the moment. Let me know if you are more talented with awkward questions over the phone!


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Lawrasawrus]

(Original post by AbelH)
Did anyone interview at Farrar Building? If so, do you know when we find out either way? (I.E. when do I need to purchase the massive supply of gin to drown my sorrows?)

I did, hope yours went well. They didn't say when we find out but I've checked TPP from last year and they held first rounds on 4 July and then responded 7th July by email with PP updated. So that means we could find out TODAY!!!

[LawLegend]

(Original post by HumanRightsPupilWa)
I assume that since others have had second round invitations that makes for a rejection? Oh well...

Phoned them.

Everyone invited for 2nd Round was telephoned last week.

Rejections will follow as letters.

[Mini Pupil]

(Original post by TakeTwo)
Anyone else feeling the mid-season slump? Suggestions on how to cheer one's self up are welcomed. All options will be considered...

(Original post by Mini Pupil)
I'm now at that bored stage with the whole thing. Every week I get my adrenaline crazy high for an interview, and then I slump through the week again. If I could, I'd do 8 hours of interviews on a Saturday, few hours of second rounds on a Sunday (if I got any), and results on the Monday. To think it's still six weeks until we hear anything is petrifying.

Exactly that! It sort of feels like the eye of the storm at the moment - I know the next 6 weeks are going to be absolute hell.

[NetballWD]

(Original post by sweetgyal24)
Hi. I'm hoping to apply for Pupillage, non olpas applications soon. Could I start emailing my CV and Cover letter to Chambers? It's for 2014 and I'm going to be a 3rd year Undergraduate soon. Despite doing some research, still unsure regarding the type of Law. There are many areas; Intellectual Property seems interesting.. There's only so many modules we can study at Uni.. there's far too many in reality. How do I decide what to specialise in? Have spoken to a number of Lawyers who did the BVC (at the time). Studying Law and in practice is completely different apparently. You can love studying something on the LLB and hate it in practice...
As for OLPAS applications (12 through the pupillage portal), is it okay to start applying now? :s It would seem sensible to apply to a range of Chambers; Crime, Family, Commercial etc. As for location, would it have to be the same for all 12?
Thanks for any advice, much appreciated.

Hi, I've tried to PM you but your inbox is full.

[thalassa]

4PB are getting back to applicants this week. Good luck to all and finger's crossed.

[Barrister ?]

Hey folks,

I know that the purpose of this thread is exclusively to discuss pupillage applications, but since things are winding down I have a question relating to cross qualifying as a solicitor and applying for a waiver of pupillage. I know its a controversial route and some are of the firm view that if you can't obtain a pupillage in the conventional sense maybe you should just own up that you aint good enough.. However some feel that after the emotional and financial investment into being a member of the Bar surely you should try all avenues.

To round off the question is: would you have to apply for the waiver of pupillage within five years of completion of the BVC/BPTC (so to recap ensure you've cross qualified and compiled relevant work experience as a solicitor advocate.) I understand you can apply to extend the five year limit has anybody experience of this.

Thanks in advance.