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Mini-pupillage & Dresscode

Hi.

I'm starting a mini-pupillage this summer in a London set.

What I'm a bit unsure of is simply what I as a pupil should wear.
Should I use my suit or just casual clothes (sports sneakers etc.)?

Thanks

Reply 1

karlbyron

You need to wear a suit. I wonder if anyone has turned up to a mini-pupillage dressed casually!!?

Reply 2

FHNFredrick

for my mini pupillage last year i wore trousers, shirt and shoes. It was during the summer and i couldn't survive wearing a full suit and blazer on the trains. just look smart.
although part of my hair was bright red, so i had to do my best to tie that back hah.

i'm not a suit person.

Reply 3

Denny Crane

13

You need to dress professional. Like the picture in my sig. (Wear a suit on your first day, afterall, you'll probaly be wearing it for the rest of your career.) make a good impression. Denny Crane!

Reply 4

FMQ

5

You MUST wear a black or dark navy suit. Many of the chambers will actually say this on their websites. If you dress casually you will risk the mini being ended at some sets.

Reply 5

FMQ

5

karlbyron

You need to wear a suit. I wonder if anyone has turned up to a mini-pupillage dressed casually!!?

Yes - I was at a set where I was told stories of mini-pupils turning up innapropriately dressed and speaking/offering advice to clients! It did not go down well.

Reply 6

Lewisy-boy

11

To be honest, in any such situation it's always better to overdress on your first day than under dress - hence you should go in a suit without fail. You can easily remove a tie/jacket, but you can't pull said items out of mid air if you suddenly feel silly.

Reply 7

Felicity_Ella

May I just ask, can you only get mini pupillages once at university?
thanks

Reply 8

mr_lawyer

3

Felicity_Ella

May I just ask, can you only get mini pupillages once at university?
thanks

No, it is possible to get them whilst at school. Most sets that will let school students do mini-pupillages set at 16 (or 18) years old minimum. Perhaps the most high-profile placement is at Matrix chambers:

http://www.matrixlaw.co.uk/OpportunitiesAtMatrix_WorkExperience.aspx

I cannot recommend this enough, as I did it in Year 12. Matrix take people as young as 14.

Outside of Matrix, I can't (off the top of my head) think of any London sets that explicitly allow school students. Regional sets are much more supportive - I did two placements at sets in the local area. I would advise against speculative applications because the tendency is for sets not to let people who haven't studied any Law (at university/CPE) complete placements given demand. Ring before spending time on a covering letter!

Another work experience option I would recommend, if still at school, is volunteering at a local Citizens Advice Bureau, as this is a great way of getting contacts for placements with solicitors and barristers.

I hope this helps.

Reply 9

Felicity_Ella

mr_lawyer

No, it is possible to get them whilst at school. Most sets that will let school students do mini-pupillages set at 16 (or 18) years old minimum. Perhaps the most high-profile placement is at Matrix chambers:

http://www.matrixlaw.co.uk/OpportunitiesAtMatrix_WorkExperience.aspx

I cannot recommend this enough, as I did it in Year 12. Matrix take people as young as 14.

Outside of Matrix, I can't (off the top of my head) think of any London sets that explicitly allow school students. Regional sets are much more supportive - I did two placements at sets in the local area. I would advise against speculative applications because the tendency is for sets not to let people who haven't studied any Law (at university/CPE) complete placements given demand. Ring before spending time on a covering letter!

Another work experience option I would recommend, if still at school, is volunteering at a local Citizens Advice Bureau, as this is a great way of getting contacts for placements with solicitors and barristers.

I hope this helps.

Thanks ever so much, this does help =)
I was talking to some one about Citzens Advice Bureau, so, I am definately going to look in to that.

Reply 10

jacketpotato

20

i'm not a suit person.

I hope you will enjoy your future job, but with that attitude, it almost certainly won't be as a barrister. Not trying to be mean, just realistic.

Going to an interview in the legal sector in anything other than a suit is absolute suicide, this is a conservative profession, and it is one in the city of London: this is a suit environment, its not like your local high street.

Reply 11

Ethereal

19

jacketpotato

I hope you will enjoy your future job, but with that attitude, it almost certainly won't be as a barrister. Not trying to be mean, just realistic.

Going to an interview in the legal sector in anything other than a suit is absolute suicide, this is a conservative profession, and it is one in the city of London: this is a suit environment, its not like your local high street.

Although many barristers don't actually wear suits in chambers - they get changed when attending court or having case cons

Reply 12

jacketpotato

20

Although many barristers don't actually wear suits in chambers - they get changed when attending court or having case cons

Thats simply not true, all barristers, in London at least, are fully suited up whilst in chambers, at the worst with shirt/trousers in the summer with a tie and jacket for client meetings.

Moreover, this person is going to an interview, not just lounging about in the chambers

Reply 13

Ethereal

19

jacketpotato

Thats simply not true, all barristers, in London at least, are fully suited up whilst in chambers, at the worst with shirt/trousers in the summer with a tie and jacket for client meetings.

Moreover, this person is going to an interview, not just lounging about in the chambers

The ones I have instructed would disagree.

Reply 14

Lewisy-boy

11

I must admit I find it hard to believe that they wear more than a shirt and trousers, although I could be way off - just doesn't make any sense to wear a tie in the office or a jacket at that. Although I would also find it hard to believe that they lounge around in jeans.

If you're going to a mini though or an interview I have to agree that a suit is absolutely essential. Although I think jacket's "if you don't like suits you won't be a lawyer" thing is pretty harsh - lots of people I know don't like wearing suits because they're not used to it or think they look silly in them. Personally, I wore a blazer etc to school every day so got used to it, and I think a suit makes people look important and smart, so I like wearing them - but it is something you can get used to.

Reply 15

Ethereal

19

I've been told by a barrister that in summer he goes to chambers in shorts and short sleeved rugby shirts and simply gets changed to see people.

As for never making it as a lawyer if you hate suits (to whoever said it, not lewis)- what a foolish thing to say! I'm quite sure most people that wear suits are merely used to them rather than like them!!

Reply 16

Lush Law

15

All barristers I've ever met just wear a normal suit and don't change dress just because their indoors. Who takes 2 sets of clothes to work with them!? The only thing that strikes me as different about the way male barristers dress to other professions is that they often wear a waistcoat.

Reply 17

jacketpotato

20

Hey hey, we are talking about an interview here

Lounging around in chambers is one thing, but a suit is essential for meeting clients and going to interviews

Reply 18

Ethereal

19

Lush Law

All barristers I've ever met just wear a normal suit and don't change dress just because their indoors. Who takes 2 sets of clothes to work with them!? The only thing that strikes me as different about the way male barristers dress to other professions is that they often wear a waistcoat.

Why take two sets? You can just hang the suit and a couple of shirts up in chambers and leave it there...

Reply 19

Nana_Julia

9

Okay well I work in a chambers (though I have recently been accused by one forum member of being a manager at Waitrose masquerading as a barrister :rolleyes:

) and Ethereal is more right than the rest of you :smile:

Basically it depends on the set and the individual. In some sets it is quite formal and barristers are told to wear suits pretty much, but even in those sets some people won't wear jackets...but in most sets I think it's pretty much up to the individual. In my set many, usually older barristers, wear suits all the time (not to mention braces and waistcoats :smile:

), others only wear suits in court/for cons, and wear a shirt or jumper and trousers most of the time. People keep suits in chambers just in case there's a surprise con or whatever. That said I have never seen anyone actually casual, except at the weekend. You do have to be somewhat professional if you want to be taken seriously by other members of chambers/clerks - a beer-stained Mickey Mouse t-shirt and cycling shorts doesn't quite cut it...

Mini-pupillage & Dresscode

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