[wantobeathebar]

(Original post by BarHopeful)
Hi all,

It's my third time of applying (with one set of apps pre-BTC) and I have been shortlisted a few times, so I'm hoping for third time lucky!

So far, among the rejections, I have first round interviews at 25 Bedford Row and Three Raymond Buildings, both being sets I haven't interviewed at before. Does anyone have any experience of their first round interviews, and if so could they shed light on their procedure?

Good luck to every one!

I don't know whether I can be much help as I haven't interviewed at the specific sets that you have been invited too but I will try nonetheless! I have had three first round interviews so far and they have been fairly diverse:

Set 1 - given five minutes to prepare an argument to ANY topic, which I then had to also argue the other side to once in the interview room. This exercise was combined with the usual questions such as 'why the Bar'
Set 2 - a real grilling with an ethical problem that was dragged out somewhat into a ten minute discussion. There were also questions such as 'give four reasons for choosing this set' (only to be berated when I actually gave five though nerves) and 'where do you see yourself in five years (which after ten minutes in that place was NOT 'at this chambers'!)
Set 3 - A legal problem with an extract from statute and a factual scenario with three relevant questions to prepare within half an hour. This was preceded by some more casual questions from the form such as 'what do you like to do in your spare time' and then 'why is X result not as strong as the rest of your CV' (which was entirely fair)

Hope this is of some help!

[wantobeathebar]

(Original post by FurryFeet)
I'm pretty sure that they rejected by silence last year. I'm therefore not feeling hopeful, as I haven't heard anything yet...

I'm in the same boat. I find rejection by silence ridiculously rude in light of the time it takes to complete pupillage portal and the fact that they must be aware of forums such as this and the pupillagepages where people can guess at their fate (in an excruciating wait) rather than being told it politely. Rant over

[vh123]

Anyone heard from oriel after Saturdays first round? Still early days I know...

[vh123]

(Original post by AbelH)
Any one heard from St John in Bristol?

No... Rejection by silence (again!)?

[Mmmbop]

Apparently 9-12 Bell Yard are staggered. Just called up now. Still don't think I have a chance considering the reduced number of invited applicants. This process is really building my self esteem lol

[wantobeathebar]

(Original post by Mmmbop)
Apparently 9-12 Bell Yard are staggered. Just called up now. Still don't think I have a chance considering the reduced number of invited applicants. This process is really building my self esteem lol

Thanks for the update!

[InnerTemple]

(Original post by wantobeathebar)
Still waiting expectantly for mine. I think the lack of invite is tantamount to a rejection though if I'm being realistic!

On another note, what do people think about the CPS versus the independent Bar? If people were in an ideal (and entirely hypothetical!) situation with an offer from both - which would they take? Purely out of interest.

CPS, in a heartbeat. Especially when stories like this pop up every so often http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/af8c6d6e-b...#axzz1xUOhbnWJ (there was a very similar story in Counsel magazine a few months back).

I know a few people who work and have worked from them. They enjoy/ed the time there. I understand why the application process may have given a poor impression to some, but from what I have heard, it does not represent life at the CPS.

[theotherwinnie]

(Original post by BarHopeful)
Hi all,

It's my third time of applying (with one set of apps pre-BTC) and I have been shortlisted a few times, so I'm hoping for third time lucky!

So far, among the rejections, I have first round interviews at 25 Bedford Row and Three Raymond Buildings, both being sets I haven't interviewed at before. Does anyone have any experience of their first round interviews, and if so could they shed light on their procedure (apart from that outlined in the invite - I know 25BR have a list of topics for discussion).

Good luck to every one!

Hi,

When I interviewed at 3RB last year they set out two topical issues and asked you to argue for or against one of them, I can't remember them both but the one I did was whether you agreed with Ken Clarke's plans to halve sentences for people pleading guilty at the first opportunity. Then they asked some questions about my application and some more general ones, e.g. 'what would be your ideal case to take on as a barrister and why'. Hope that helps. They were very nice anyway!

Also, if anyone has any info on what interviews at 5 Paper Buildings or 9 Gough Square are like it'd be nice to hear from you. I don't know in particular too whether anyone knows what sets do pleas in mitigation/bail applications etc in interviews? I've heard they come up but I'm not sure if they're more of a second round thing of its worth revising that stuff now Thanks.

[wantobeathebar]

(Original post by InnerTemple)
CPS, in a heartbeat. Especially when stories like this pop up every so often http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/af8c6d6e-b...#axzz1xUOhbnWJ (there was a very similar story in Counsel magazine a few months back).

I know a few people who work and have worked from them. They enjoy/ed the time there. I understand why the application process may have given a poor impression to some, but from what I have heard, it does not represent life at the CPS.

I agree. Although I don't know anyone who works there I think there is a lot to be said in this climate for guaranteed tenancy/prosecutor role and so few chambers seem to retain all of their pupils that I think the certainty would win; even over the autonomy of the self-employed Bar. Let's hope that the rest of the application process goes well for us!

[Stejoe]

(Original post by TakeTwo)
Thank you, and they may well be - good luck. They are only interviewing 40 this year, as opposed to their usual 60-80 - and indicator of tough times?

I think the reason for this may be an inconsistency that appeared on PP - I had to call to check that they were in fact recruiting for 2013 as their website indicated, because PP indicated they were recruiting for 2012.

Once I called and explained this to them, it was rectified on PP - but I think at that point there was only a week or so to the deadline.

Perhaps the number of applicants was reduced significantly as result, and therefore the number to be interviewed reflects that? Did anyone else notice this discrepancy when applying?

Ps. pleased to know it is staggered and congratulations to Taketwo! Knock it out the park!

[BanterBarrister]

(Original post by Oldenoughtobewiser)
Hallo all. I've been following this thread for several days now and I can't bear it any longer. I have to ask, has anyone heard anything, anything at all (other than the acknowledgement of application) from:

1 Chancery Lane
QEB Hollis Whiteman
39 Essex Street
Outer Temple
12 KBW
2 TG
7 BR

or indeed Pallant in Chichester?

I'd really appreciate it so that I can get on rather than jumping every time the phone rings. Thanks

I had an interview with 12KBW a few weeks ago. Nothing from 2TG or 7BT. Didn't apply to any of the others.


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[Mmmbop]

(Original post by wantobeathebar)
I agree. Although I don't know anyone who works there I think there is a lot to be said in this climate for guaranteed tenancy/prosecutor role and so few chambers seem to retain all of their pupils that I think the certainty would win; even over the autonomy of the self-employed Bar. Let's hope that the rest of the application process goes well for us!

I'm at the CPS now but in an administrative case preparation capacity. I have to say, I've learnt a lot about the way the CPS works and what life as a CPS lawyer is like. Just to let other CPS applicants know though, there is no internal method of applying for the legal traineeship so we're all on equal footing

[TakeTwo]

Negative response from 4 Breams Buildings has been posted on TPP - anyone had a positive?!

[InnerTemple]

(Original post by wantobeathebar)
I agree. Although I don't know anyone who works there I think there is a lot to be said in this climate for guaranteed tenancy/prosecutor role and so few chambers seem to retain all of their pupils that I think the certainty would win; even over the autonomy of the self-employed Bar. Let's hope that the rest of the application process goes well for us!

I suppose it depends on one's background. If you have the ability to sustain a decent quality of life whilst working at the criminal bar, then power to you!

However I doubt people will be in the above position. Another story in the FT (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1ab052ea-b...#axzz1xUOhbnWJ)Where a criminal barrister details her difficult position and says that she fears that: "the criminal bar is going to go back to being a 'white, rich profession..'"

All this is very depressing, especially when one half of our glorious Government said that social mobility would be one of it's priorities.

Anyway - rant over. Back to pupillage rejections.

[Legallucy]

Still under consideration from 4 Breams Buildings too. Has anyone heard anything more from 9-12 Bell Yard? Silence...

[Mani123]

(Original post by Wildman)
I'm still "under consideration". When did they hand out interviews last year?

I am also still "under consideration".

[BackToTheFold]

(Original post by BanterBarrister)
I had an interview with 12KBW a few weeks ago. Nothing from 2TG or 7BT. Didn't apply to any of the others.


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

Have you heard anything back about 2nd rounds from 12KBW?

[zara82]

Has anyone heard from 4 BB? On TPP someone posted that rejections are out. But haven't received anything.


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[littlewig]

(Original post by Ewok)
I applied there for a family/civil pupillage and haven't heard back. A friend of mine has an interview for family and another friend has an interview there for civil. As discussed above- you can't always trust the friend thing but it's very likely that they're telling the truth. As such there seems to be little hope unfortunately.

I'm going to give them a ring on Monday to enquire.

Any joy with your phonecall Ewok?

[Ewok]

(Original post by littlewig)
Any joy with your phonecall Ewok?

Alas no joy- I rang just now (reminded by this post) and unfortunately the woman in charge of pupillage applications is away on holiday until Monday. Booo!