Nearly
a week ago myself and Obie attended
one of the first major events set up by the newly elected University
of Sussex Law Society (USLS). The event so named 'Life at the
Criminal Bar' was a panel discussion with four guest speakers
including Sussex's very own Professor Vogler and three
highly reputable barristers
Forz Khan, Rebecca
Upton
and
Heather
Stevens.
Forz Khan is
head of his own chambers
in London
and has participated in numerous high-profile cases included
acting as a defendant to a member of the IRA. Those of you who have
been
applying for mini-pupillage
at local chambers may recognise the next panellist
Rebecca from Eastbourne Chambers who is the woman to talk to for
getting into those chambers. Rebecca has 20 years experience
in the criminal bar specialising
in family and sexual offences. Lastly Heather
who was the newest barrister of the bunch is
a tenant in Lamb Building.
Introductions
over I can move onto the more interesting topic of what actually
happened at the event. Well first and foremost each panellist
gave a short summary of their educational history and general
background
something that I found to be extremely
interesting particularly considering the difference in access to the
bar. Rebecca and Forz were very forthcoming in admitting that neither
had firsts, a 2:2 and 2:1 receptively,
and they highlighted the fact that whilst they were lucky to get a
pupillage
with those grades when they applied it is a totally different story
now. Forz gave the excellent advice that these days in order to get a
pupillage
a candidate needs to not only have excellent grades but an element
that makes them stand out so take note future barristers you need to
start doing things to make you unique! So get travelling to Mexico to
save turtles or head to Oxford to read the well respected Bachelor of
Civil Law to make yourself irresistible
to whatever chambers you apply to. Also
a little side note
Forz also stated that it is recommended that you get an
offer for a pupillage
before you sit the BPTC because it's super expensive like super 'oh
my god I'm going to be drowning
in debt' expenses or if you're lucky enough a loving phone call to
your parents expensive, needless to say those were not his exact
words but there's no way I could ever replicate his dictum. However
Obie has more than expressed that she does not agree with this but
it's very much each to their own in this case.
One
particularly interesting aspect of the panellist
was the near punch-up (OK
not a near punch-up
but come on, as journalists it's our job to spice things up... and
the mental image is hilarious!) between the barristers and the only
solicitor Professor Vogler.
This disagreement focused on the suggestion from Vogler
that the UK should adopt a unified qualifications for law graduates
so that there need not be the decision between a career at the bar or
as a solicitor.
Something that the barristers did not agree with and led to the more
heated discussion
n that barristers were better than solicitors, obviously displeasing
the solicitor.
Being the diplomatic person that I am I won't come down on one side
of this discussion I will say that generally barristers are more
specialised than solicitors so therefore they will have more
knowledge and experience in dealing with certain cases. Feel free to
let us know what you all think of this debate! Do you think there
should be a unified qualification? Are barristers better qualified
than solicitors? Should we have locked these guys in a room to see
who makes it out alive?! Tweet us, email us or facebook us your
thoughts people!
Now
the next interesting information was a bit more academic than the
previous one. It's the ever intertesing topic of legal aid because
everyone loves a bit of legal aid. Now
for those of you who are considering embarking on the difficult yet
rewarding journey
to the criminal bar I give you a word of caution nicely communicated
from the barristers through me to you. The criminal
bar does not pay as well as it used to so those of you thinking that
you'll make your millions helping put away murderers or defending
thieves
then I encourage you to either think again or skip reading this part
so you can remain in denial. Due
to all the lovely legal funding cuts (even more cuts were announced
this week) by the Government there is very little funding for many
criminal cases and as a consequence being a criminal barrister does
not pay as well as it used to. However
this should not dissuade
you from pursing this career! The work you do I imagine is incredibly
worthwhile and interesting (apparently you'll have the most
interesting work stories something about drunks in cells...) and as
Forz suggested there is always the opportunity to work part-time as a
barrister and have another job in the meantime (He owns various
businesses if you want some ideas).
I won't go into too much detail in legal aid cuts as there will be an
article from us soon but I will say that these cuts are more serious
than barristers not being paid well. It
is worrisome that it may lead to more miscarriages of justice as
appropriate representation may not be given, it will become a case of
getting the cheapest help not the best quality.
Also
for those readers out there who would love to be a barrister but feel
that they are too shy all is not lost! Heather told us that she had
always been timid through her studies but managed to overcome it
through mooting, debating and her mini-pupillages. Whilst I realise
more than anyone how horrific these extracurriculars can be if
you're shy, they are so worth doing! Not only will this help you get
over this shyness but it will get you talking in the right way that
is conducive to being in the profession. So you get two birds with
one stone as the saying goes.
Last
but not least the after-event drinks and networking, whilst I did not
manage to stay and chat too
much I was fortunate
enough to be able to have conversations with Rebecca and Forz about
their careers and the best ways to go about getting mini-pupillages
and pupillage.
Both were extremely
helpful and kind in their discussions with myself and Obie and made
themselves more than available
to answer our questions (I'm sure heather
would have been the same if we had the time to talk to her). For
those of you who didn't attend you certainly missed out on a great
event not just for those wanting to pursue a career at the bar but
also those who wish to pursue a career elsewhere as
it was a great opportunity to talk with professionals in the
industry.
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