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Article written by Chloe Ng, a Final-year Law Undergraduate.
Huge congratulations if you have been given an offer for a mini-pupillage! Knowing the competition for securing a mini-pupillage is notoriously competitive, do not forget to give yourself some credit for such achievement!
What is a Mini-Pupillage?
Let me give you some background information. A mini-pupillage is where a student is given an opportunity to gain practical experience by shadowing a practising barrister. This could be observing the barrister in courts or preparing legal paperwork at chambers. Aspiring barristers are highly advised to apply for at least one, as you will have an eye-opening experience of the bar and have the chance to peek into the future life at the bar. Furthermore, it will also make your CV stand out even more when you apply for pupillage or tenancy in the future, especially if you plan to apply to some reputable city chambers.
Preparation before the Mini-Pupillage
Prior to the commencement of the mini-pupillage, you are highly recommended to read up various sources and conduct research on the area that your chambers or pupil master is specialised in. You may also read some journal articles and recent legal news or development that discuss the relevant topics. It is vitally important to grasp the basic knowledge in that particular area ahead of your mini-pupillage, otherwise you will be clueless when you are serving as a pupil.
What to Expect in the Mini-Pupillage?
Throughout the mini-pupillage, you are likely to attend courts and observe your pupil master where you can master their presentation and other advocacy skills. In addition, you will be assigned different tasks by your pupil master. For instance, to prepare trial bundles, conduct legal research, draft legal documents, study cases and participate in client interviews, etc. You will also get the chance to discuss current cases with your barrister, therefore reading up for basic knowledge in advance would be helpful, although you are not expected to know everything about the law.
On top of that, you will get to grow your network as you will meet different barristers and solicitors in the courts or chambers. Networking is of utmost importance in the legal field therefore do not waste a golden opportunity to spark connections!
After the Mini-Pupillage
Typically, the duration of mini-pupillages is 2 to 5 days in the UK. By way of explanation, you should have learnt a lot within this timeframe. As your memory is still fresh, I would suggest you mark down and list out everything that you can on a notebook. This could be the skills you have honed in the mini-pupillage, any legal documents you have prepared, your observation of your pupil master in courts, etc. This small act carries a great significance since this is how you learn and they will surely come in handy when you practice in the future.
Finally, all the very best to you and hope you enjoy your upcoming mini-pupillage to the fullest!
