Reflections On The Start Of Pupillage From Current Pupils
21 November 2024
Authored by the QEB Hollis Whiteman First Six Pupils: Jonathan Waghorne-Brown, Nora Nanayakkara, Katie McLean and Gabriel Neophytou
Christmas is famously the season to be jolly. Unfortunately, we also know from experience that Christmas is the time when prospective barristers are starting to undertake the much less jolly activity of preparing for the next round of pupillage applications.
While others are eating mince pies, prospective pupils are polishing CVs, perfecting competency examples and desperately trying to find interesting and meaningful answers to the question of “why do you want to apply to our chambers?” (as opposed to the 20 others we know you have also applied to).
As the new cohort of QEBHW pupils – having started in September – we thought it might be useful to provide our reflections on why you might want to apply to QEBHW, based on our experiences so far.
The Exposure – Gabriel Neophytou
Pupils at QEBHW are exposed to work at all levels. Notable cases we have seen include a multi-handed murder, an EncroChat drugs conspiracy and a corporate manslaughter prosecution. We have also observed police misconduct proceedings and the COVID-19 Inquiry.
A unique feature of pupillage here is the opportunity to do “mini-seats.” I have done one in private prosecutions, and they are available in all areas of chambers’ work, including in the public law and inquests teams. This allows you to get exposure to areas you might be interested in, even if it is not something your supervisor does.
So far, I have had opportunities to assist with written work at all stages, from bail applications to sentencing and appeal. A highlight was researching a point to be argued in the Court of Appeal, which I then observed being made in court. Experiences like this mean that you feel like you are really contributing, as well as learning through observation.
In addition to Crown Court work, I have been able to observe practising second-six pupils undertaking work in the magistrates’ courts. This is one of the benefits of the QEBHW pupillage lasting 16 months. Shadowing practising second-six pupils is helpful preparation for when we are on our feet in a few months, particularly as life in the magistrates’ courts can be quite different to the work our supervisors are doing!
The Training – Nora Nanayakkara
As a first-six pupil, we have weekly advocacy sessions to prepare us for life on our feet. The sessions are led by Ali Naseem Bajwa KC, Tom Coke-Smyth and the two most junior tenants. The course is thoughtfully structured so that we work through a trial’s life cycle, undertaking a range of exercises from bail and bad character applications to closing speeches and pleas in mitigation.
The emphasis at QEBHW is firmly on developing pupils’ individual advocacy styles and making the most of our individual strengths. Our trainers frequently reiterate that there is no single “right way” to be an advocate. Each week we receive detailed, individual feedback, and it is always constructive and thoughtful.
The course concludes in March with a mock trial at the Central Criminal Court, which lots of members from Chambers attend. This is before we begin our second six and start to put all we have learned into practice, as well as giving us an opportunity to show what we can do.
The purpose of the training is clearly to get the best from us and we are never in competition with each other. It also means there is at least one time each week all pupils are in chambers, and we often go for a drink afterwards to catch up on how things are going.
The Expectations – Jonathan Waghorne-Brown
Coming to a Band 1 set like QEBHW brings with it certain expectations. “Good luck with not sleeping” was a common refrain I heard when I mentioned where I was doing pupillage. However, this has not been my experience of the first few months.
Like all barristers, you do have to complete any written work around the time spent in court. This does involve, therefore, some evening and weekend work, but not (at least so far) anything like the 80-hour weeks which I thought might have been the case.
My reflection from the first few months is that QEBHW wants its pupils to do the best work they can – which is quite different from doing the most work they can. From day one I have been asked to do an array of interesting work and been given time and support to help showcase what I can do. People take time to give you feedback and your skill set really develops quickly.
Everyone in chambers seems genuinely committed to helping pupils thrive. Even KCs are just as likely to make you a cup of tea as you are to make them one. So while expectations of you and the quality of your work are high, they are not impossibly so, and you are given every opportunity to meet them.
The People – Katie McLean
From our first day at QEBHW, Chambers has made a real effort to make us feel part of the team. Pupils are encouraged to join Chambers’ various social events, and to get to know the current tenants and clerks. This helps us to see what life at the Bar with QEBHW could look like.
Pupillage can be an all-consuming experience, because you want to make the most of the opportunity. Unfortunately, that means it can also be an isolating one, as not all friends/family/partners can appreciate the ups and downs of what is quite an unusual job. Luckily, being part of a cohort of four pupils means there is always someone around who will understand. As you are not competing for tenancy at QEBHW, your co-pupils are the friends you can discuss your best days and worst moments with.
Even if your cohort is unavailable, I have found that the 16-month pupillage means you also benefit from the support of pupils a year ahead. Their knowledge and empathy for your current position is invaluable when you are looking for help with your first few pieces of work. Combined with the kindness of the supervisors and junior tenants at QEBHW, I have found that help is no more than a WhatsApp away.
Reflections On Pupillage at QEB From Former Pupils
“I could not recommend QEB Hollis Whiteman enough. During the first six my supervisor prosecuted two murders and defended in a large scale fraud; I was in court every day and constantly learning. Away from my supervisors practice the weekly advocacy training culminating in a mock trial at the Old Bailey sets us apart from other chambers in preparing pupils for being on their feet in the second six and beyond.
For those looking to develop a broader practice QEB Hollis Whiteman also has great opportunities to supplement traditional criminal trial with regulatory and public law work. There really is no better place to apply for pupillage.”
“Pupillage at QEB gave me an unparalleled experience insofar as, from a very early stage of my career, I have been able to build a practice in a broad range of work for a 'crime pupil’. This has included FCA investigations, disciplinary hearings, regulatory work, advisory work, and the more ‘traditional’ complex, serious and general crime. Taking this all on is made easy by the level of support and training chambers provide from day one of pupillage.”
“I converted to law and joined chambers straight from bar school. It can be a tough adjustment, but I was mentored all the way through to tenancy and beyond. Chambers has a genuine open-door policy: everyone here wants the best for you and is always ready to help if you need them. We also have a fantastic team of clerks who will guide and grow your practice in whichever direction you choose.”
"I started pupillage at QEB as a slightly more mature candidate having changed career from media & communications to law. QEB has high expectations of their pupils and pupillage was hard work but I was supported throughout by excellent supervisors and a friendly and welcoming junior end. I now have a busy practice in criminal and public law."
“As a pupil at QEB you will be exposed to some of the highest profile and most exciting cases at the criminal bar. The experience provided me with the opportunity to learn from a fantastic set of barristers who were supportive and encouraging throughout pupillage and I continue to benefit from the experience and generosity of the barristers in chambers as a tenant.
From my perspective, one of the best features of pupillage at QEB is the non-competitive nature of the tenancy process (pupils are not pitted against one another). This creates a collaborative and collegiate atmosphere amongst pupils which made the pupillage experience much more enjoyable.”