Express Solicitors (pupillage)

A pupillage here will see that extra hours are kept to a minimum, and Express encourages a good work-life balance by offering its members alternating three/two days home working each week.

The pupillage programme itself has been designed to make sure wannabe barristers get hands-on experience from day one. Pupils will be mentored by an in-house team of barristers and receive practical learning through a tailored learning management system and in-house trainers. New recruits will even have an initial discussion with their supervisor to identify personal objectives and specific training before pupillage has even begun so that each course can be tailored to the individual. During the first six, pupils will shadow their supervisors as well as other barristers and/or advocates and might even be able to undertake their own advocacy at this point in accordance with the limited rights of audience afforded to a solicitor’s clerk. Throughout the second six all pupils will take on their own work and can expect to be in court most days gaining practical advocacy experience. Pupils are taken on with an eye towards joining Express’ advocacy department at the end of their learning.

A passion for personal injury and clinical negligence law should be top of the list for those considering a pupillage here, but high-quality advocacy skills, resilience, organisational prowess, integrity, initiative and the ability to work under pressure are all traits that are highly valued at Express. Temperament, client care, analytical ability and a commitment to a career at the employed bar are the other elements that they’ll be on the lookout for here, so make sure that toolkit is firmly on display whilst applying!

Speaking of, those interested in a career here will be competing for four pupillage places. All applications are handled through the Pupillage Gateway and will involve three elements. Firstly, you’ll need to complete an application form detailing your educational and employment background, alongside answering some questions regarding motivations, industry knowledge and advocacy experience. Next up is a face-to-face interview consisting of an advocacy exercise and some competency and strength based questions. The interviewers will also look to assess your skill with situational judgement questions. Pass all that and you could be on the express track to the bar!

The pupillage experience

A big part of my deciding to apply for pupillage at Express Solicitors was knowing how important it was to the Head of Pupillage and senior management to seek out the best candidates from all backgrounds. I can confidently say that they will do what they can to get the best out of people if they see something special in them.

One way in which pupillage at Express Solicitors differs from what I know about pupillage at more traditional chambers is that pupils are ‘on their feet’ in a limited capacity within their first six. I think that this is a great opportunity, particularly for those who might have limited court advocacy experience, as it means that the transition to more complicated hearings and trials is a more gradual process and less overwhelming than it might be otherwise.

The transition from pupil to employed barrister

On reflection, there really wasn’t a noticeable transition from Pupil to Employed Barrister. Outside of my title, very little changed. The support system I had available to me during pupillage is still there, and my training is ongoing. It is not as though I obtained my practising certificate and was suddenly cast out into the wild and left to fend for myself!

I think that the structure of the pupillage at Express Solicitors, with first six pupils being allowed to take on their own hearings, means that the transition is gradual and natural. That’s not to say that it is easy, but it is paced in a way that means that you are more prepared for what comes next without feeling overwhelmed.

What is your practice like now?

I am typically in court most days, and I’d estimate that that currently consists of an average of 2 trials per week with some CCMCs and/or some of the more complex interlocutory hearings to make up the rest. I take on drafting when I have the capacity to do so and assist fee earners with ad-hoc queries as they arise.

I have also recently accepted the role of Supervisor which means that part of my week is spent training and supervising one of our Advocates.

There really is no escaping the fact that barristers sometimes have to work unsociable hours. The Clerking Team try and keep this to a minimum but when it is unavoidable, there is the opportunity to take time off in lieu.

What is the culture of the firm?

The support within the Advocacy Team is, for me, unlike anywhere I have worked before. There is a somewhat odd dichotomy in that the team is extremely close and tight-knit and yet entirely open and welcoming to new members. Successes are celebrated (loudly!) and problems/mistakes are taken as an opportunity to learn. I think it is probably fair to say that the Advocacy Team is perhaps more competitive than most, but not at the expense of each other.

Top tips for those wanting to become a barrister/secure a pupillage at your firm

Do your research and be clear about what it is that interests you about the employed Bar. Don’t try to think of what the people interviewing you want to hear but say what you actually think and mean. In my experience, a big part of getting pupillage is whether those interviewing you think that you will click and fit within the culture of the pupillage provider. If you have secured an interview, you are probably good enough to get pupillage so it is better to find somewhere that suits you and them!