Prosecution Service, volunteered for about a year at the Barking and Dagenham CAB following her master’s degree. She comments: “I provided advice on housing law, landlord and tenant issues, claims for disrepair and welfare law. When it came to applying for training contracts, I was able to talk about some of my experiences at CAB – for example, when asked to discuss how I dealt with a difficult situation, I referred to an incident at the CAB involving a client with Alzheimer’s. I would certainly recommend CAB work because the training is excellent: you are trained in all the areas that they expect you to advise on and in how to use their files to find information. It teaches you how to apply the law in reality and hones your interview and advice skills.” Court work Court work is another option. Marshalling involves spending time with a judge to see the litigation process from a judicial perspective. You’ll read the skeleton arguments and papers before the court and then watch the trial unfold. The process is immensely useful: you quickly learn which advocacy styles are effective and which to avoid. When it comes to applying for pupillages, marshalling experience will help you to answer those standard interview questions, such as ‘What makes a good barrister?’ Marshalling is a good introduction to court, the roles of the advocates and the ultimate aim of advocacy as a barrister – persuading the judge. Free Representation Unit Other options include volunteering for the Free Representation Unit (FRU), a charity that provides free legal representation to those who can’t afford it. FRU trains you to represent its clients at tribunals. Lots of barristers/solicitors look favourably on this practical experience, which is invaluable when applying for pupillage and training contracts. A pupil at Blackstone Chambers says: “I volunteered at FRU for almost two years while on the Graduate Diploma in
a variety of areas will help with this. All the work experience you have will build your knowledge and transferable skills – it’s how you then choose to make it work for you on your application form that counts.” Nadia Evans, the law programme manager at upReach, agrees: “Non-legal work experience and other extracurricular activities are both excellent ways to develop and demonstrate the skills and qualities required as a lawyer. The key is learning how to sell yourself by clearly and confidently explaining the experience you have had and how it relates to the skills firms are looking for. Plus, it doesn’t just have to be professional work experience. Don’t forget the restaurant or retail job where, for example, you showed great initiative, delivered strong performance and were given responsibility or played a key role in a team.” Andy Creer, barrister at Landmark Chambers, adds: “We recognise that people have different opportunities according to their socio-economic backgrounds. It’s therefore more important to demonstrate what you have got out of your work experience, than what you have done per se .” Alternative work experience in the business world can also help you to build your commercial awareness, as Matthew Parker QC, barrister at 3 Verulam Buildings, points out: “Non-legal work experience is very useful if it involves skills that are important at the Bar, such as public speaking, collecting and presenting information or dealing with clients. For the commercial Bar, it’s often very helpful to have had some experience in a business environment, which will help develop commercial awareness and enable you to engage with clients’ concerns on their level.” Citizens Advice One option is to volunteer at your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). Maxine Cole, a senior crown prosecutor at the Crown
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