Work experience
barristers/solicitors look favourably on this practical experience, which is invaluable when applying for pupillage and training contracts. We spoke to a pupil at Blackstone Chambers, who said: “I volunteered at FRU for almost two years while on the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and Bar Professional Training Course. Outside of studying, I think it was the most useful thing I did. FRU gives you the opportunity to get stuck into practical elements of law in a way that not many other pro bono organisations do. You have to meet and advise clients, run a piece of litigation on your own and ultimately may have to argue a case before the Employment or Social Security Tribunal. In short, you get real experience of what being a barrister is like.” The first step in volunteering is to attend an induction day for the area in which you are interested. They are usually held eight times a year, with four of the days focused on training in employment law and the other four in social security. You can attend either employment, social security or both, depending on your level of experience. To undertake employment training, you must be at least a master’s, GDL, LPC or Bar course student. To undertake social security training, you must be at least a final-year LLB or GDL student. To read an interview with a former FRU volunteer and the charity’s chief, see our ‘Free Representation Unit’ chapter in this section. Find out more about FRU at www. thefru.org.uk or by calling 020 7611 9555. Pro bono work Many universities and postgraduate study providers operate pro bono clinics, which are a great chance to get involved in providing legal advice at the front line. John Watkins, director of employability at The University of Law, talks about the University’s schemes and their benefit to both students and the
wider community: “ Pro bono at the University consists of three broad programmes: legal advice clinics, where students answer legal enquiries from the general public under supervision; external opportunities, where students gain experience of working for not-for-profit organisations; and public legal education, raising legal awareness in communities through schemes such as the Street Law initiative. All our students are encouraged to participate, and with a wide range of over 3,300 opportunities and placements available each year, students can get involved whatever their field of interest. Students appreciate the many benefits that flow from developing their knowledge and skills in a challenging but secure real-life setting. The additional benefits to the wider community reinforce the positive nature of the work.” Pro bono is an excellent way for students to practise giving legal advice and also giving something back to the community. A lot of firms offer pro bono services, so it is a good skill to learn early on. Martin Barnes, chief executive of LawWorks, adds: “I would encourage every law student to get involved in pro bono activities. There is a range of potential opportunities available, including helping people with real- life issues as well as developing legal and practical skills.” For more on LawWorks and what it does, see the ‘LawWorks’ chapter in this section. For more on getting involved with pro bono in general, see www.lawworks.org.uk. What else can I do? Staying closer to home, you could send a speculative application to local high-street law firms asking to shadow a partner (or a trainee) for a few days or offer to answer the phones at a nearby legal advice centre. Court ushering at your nearest magistrates’ court
54
THE LAWCAREERS.NET HANDBOOK
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online