Insights from Greg Lawton Post-Pupillage
Having just finished his pupillage, Greg Lawton offers valuable tips for those embarking on this pivotal phase of their legal career.
The journey through pupillage is a formidable one for any budding barrister, involving the mastery of chamber practices and the intricacies of the court system. This intense period is crucial for developing the competencies needed for a prosperous tenure at the bar.
Greg Lawton, following his recent completion of pupillage, has put together a list of 21 tips from his experiences to help smooth the transition from law studies to professional practice. We hope these insights prove beneficial!
1. During your initial six months, document everything you observe in hearings and trials—procedures, protocols, dialogue, and positioning of participants.
2. Maintain a detailed log of your cases, including dates, case names, subject matter, your contributions, challenges faced, and eventually fees, starting from your second six. Adding information about the instructing solicitors and judges can be helpful.
3. Safeguard your data. Encrypt your device’s hard drive to secure data even if the drive is removed. Additionally, consider getting a privacy screen and a paper shredder for sensitive documents you keep at home.
4. Develop a standardized front page for all your documents and written submissions.
5. Collect a set of template forms annotated for various legal documents like skeleton arguments and attendance notes.
6. Record advocacy techniques, styles, and phrases that resonate with you, as well as those that do not.
7. Organize your case management system in a way that suits you. For instance, you might organize emails and files by year and case name, alphabetically.
8. Make it a practice to jot down new learnings in a dedicated file sorted by topic.
9. Utilize a mobile app for taking quick notes on things you plan to research later when you have more time.
10. Keep track of the duration of tasks and the factors influencing this, which will assist in future billing or quoting.
11. Organize and store documents and resources by legal area that you are currently working on.
12. Consider the implications of your start date for tax purposes; starting on 6 October could align you with the new tax year starting on 6 April, when you begin self-employed work. Ensure you’re registered as self-employed and obtain your VAT number from HMRC by then.
13. Be mindful of tax consequences if you’re paid for noting briefs in your first six.
14. Choose your chambers email address thoughtfully. You might want to secure variations of your name to manage how you’re addressed professionally.
15. Anticipate a financial gap between the last payment from your first six and the start of earnings in your second six. This gap might last a few months.
16. At the end of your pupillage, you’ll need a signoff from your supervisor and must submit the necessary form to the BSB for full qualification confirmation. Following this, apply for your practising certificate through mybar at the Bar Council. Allow sufficient time for this process before your pupillage concludes and keep the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund informed for insurance coverage. Your provisional certificate remains valid for 30 days post-pupillage.
17. Refrain from referring to yourself in any official capacity as a barrister or counsel until you have your practising certificate.
18. Understand the preferred workflows of your chambers and clerks.
19. Keep the BSB informed of any changes in your supervisor to avoid delays in your practising certificate processing.
20. Forge good relationships with peers, barristers, clerks, and staff within your chambers. Frequent interactions, even simple phone conversations, can enhance communication and overall work atmosphere.
21. Remember that even though barristers are independent, the legal community thrives on mutual assistance. Continue to seek guidance and offer help to others whenever possible.
Greg Lawton has recently completed a commercial and chancery pupillage at a set of chambers in Manchester.
Similar Posts
- Secured Pupillage Dilemma: Accept Uncertain Offer or Reapply?
- Starting Pupillage Next Month: Top Tips for Success!
- Landing Your First Pupillage Interview: Essential Tips and Advice
- Aspiring Barrister Dilemma: Take a £17K Pay Cut for a Career-Boosting Role?
- Law Firms Deducting Practicing Certificate Costs: Is This a Common Practice?
A specialized lawyer, Rachel helps businesses protect their intellectual property and navigate the legal aspects of export.
