Work Experience within Law

Take a look at the stories of two Kent students that gained work experience within the legal sector in two different ways – traditional placement opportunity at a legal company, as well as a networking event. Both gave different insights and skills – you may want to keep an eye out for upcoming networking events, as they can give you the skills and contacts to gain more competitive placement opportunities. Gintare and Chloe have shown how the work and opportunities fund helped in enabling them to undertake these experiences. Find out more information here.

 

My two-week work experience at Fleetcor’s European headquarters was an amazing opportunity. I had the chance to work with both the in house lawyers, as well as the business directors. Working in such environment helped to enhance my legal knowledge as well as my wider business knowledge, as I had to work and interact with two sectors of the business at the same time.

The work experience was not easy from the start as from day 1, I was already involved in substantial tasks of the business. My role included being a legal assistant which consisted of proof-reading, amending and drafting over 50 non-disclosure agreements. This required a very strong attention to detail. I also had the opportunity to communicate with senior people within the business both face to face and through emails/telephone, by taking instructions and presenting my own ideas and findings.  This has boosted my communication skills as I had to present my ideas in a clear and coherent style.

I was also involved in a project which is very important to Fleetcor, called GDPR. The project both tested my legal knowledge, as well as enhanced my commercial awareness. The project consisted of reading terms and conditions of every business with a contract with Fleetcor (which was over 500) and constructing and adding the necessary information onto the database. The information included identifying what personal data is collected by each business, how it is stored, what obligations each party are obliged to perform, how personal data is stored, whether personal data is exported outside the EEA area and etc. The GDPR is new legislation passed in mid-2018 which has had a huge impact on every business. As a result, caution must be taken by each and every business which deals with clients and their personal data. Therefore, being aware of such information helps to protect the businesses in questions, as well as the clients whose personal data is used. Equally, customers are better protected under such legislation as they are now able to access and request information about their personal data much easier than with the previous legislation.

I would like to give a big thank you to the UKC Careers and Employability Service for making bursary available. It is expensive to travel to London, especially as a student, and without such funding, it would be very difficult to gain any work experience and enhance legal knowledge. This work experience has really exposed me to the real business world as the only way you can decide if this is for you is by working with the business on real-life matters and being part of it, even if it is for a couple of weeks.

–Gintare Baranauskaite

 

Having attended the London based LawCareers.NET LIVE event on Friday 30th November 2018, I can certify that it was a valuable and insightful law focused event which has given me a better understanding of the application processes in regard to training contracts as well as vacation schemes. By going to this event, with the opportunity to personally network with a plethora of top city law firms, such as Baker McKenzie and Howard Kennedy LLP, I was able to strengthen my personal network of industry contacts. A representative of Howard Kennedy LLP, in particular, approached me and discussed applying to Howard Kennedy in the near future as they could see my potential in me to do well all of which gave me the confidence that I lacked before the event.

Furthermore, I gained communication skills as a result of this event. I felt very much out of my comfort zone, as I have always perceived those that are in a greater hierarchical position as intimidating and so I would refrain from making conversation. However, the solicitors, lawyers and partners from each of these commercial law firms have shown me that this stereotype is not applicable to all who work in law firms. Therefore, I feel as though I can confidently apply for not only these firms later in my degree, but for other firms too in various areas. Also, during my second workshop with Howard Kennedy LLP, we were categorised into different groups with students from varying universities. This allowed me to make further connections as we have all decided to keep in touch with one another so that if anything challenging comes up during our degree, we can discuss the issue with one another and support each other where necessary so that we can obtain the best possible mark overall.

Moreover, I got given some advice on how to cope with my anxiety from a solicitor at Sidley. This has also contributed to my confidence as the mechanisms that they have given me have also helped me to approach my seminar leaders and ask them for help where necessary which I would not have done during my first year of study. Therefore, I have much more belief in myself. Due to this, I will be able to assert my confidence in future interviews which will increase the likelihood of me getting into the law firm of my choice. Overall, this networking experiences has opened up many doors for me in the future and I now know how to make the most of opportunity that will come my way.

–Chloe Mortimer

 

 

Work Experience – What’s In It For Me? (Part 2)

Following on from the last post, we continue to look at the experiences of your fellow students on their work placements. It can give you a real insight into an industry and a proper feeling of what a job in that sector can involve. One of the main things to remember is that you don’t to know your exact career path as this is the purpose of work experience! If you hate it, it can be just as beneficial as if you love it. If you get the opportunity, try and give different sectors and type of placements a go – don’t let anything scare you away from work experience! For more help and to talk this through with a trained careers advisor you can make an appointment with the CES here.

Daniel Rozenberg – Mini-Pupillage with Sir Ian Foinette – Maidstone Crown Court

“Through the Law School’s Career and Employability advisers, I had secured my first ever Mini-Pupillage. I made my way to the Maidstone Crown Courts from Canterbury, and entered past security into the resolute justice building. I met Mr. Foinette, a Criminal Barrister, in the Barrister Mess Hall. I was immediately immersed into the gritty, sometimes complicated, yet always captivating details of the Crown Courts’ criminal cases. While confidentiality is primordial to the fluid and un-biased functioning of the legal system, especially with sensitive cases, for the day I was privy to excitingly on-hands information: case files, body cam and CCTV footage, witness statements, pleas and police records, etc. Mr. Foinette was very kind and engaging; asking me my opinions and how I felt about certain matters; what any defences could be and what likely outcome there was to so and so case.

We discussed the differences between the theory we learn in Law School as opposed to the pragmatic and reality of court procedure and litigation, which often relies more on experience than knowledge of cases by heart. I learned about strategy for presenting a case to the jury, and picked up various tips, such as ‘Never ask a question in cross-examination that you do not know the answer to’! Finally, we proceeded to the courtrooms, where I saw a jury selection for the beginning of one trial, as well as a sentencing to finish another. Thanks to the University of Kent Work Experience Bursary I had the wonderful opportunity to experience a real day in the life of being a barrister! But what I appreciated the most was the camaraderie I observed between the barristers, no matter if they were defence or prosecution, and the caring, sincere and earnest attitude the judges adopted in presiding over the courts.”

Daniel Rozenberg – Kent Fire and Rescue Station

“Throughout my first year at the University of Kent, I was excited to get a head start on my employability, and figure out as soon as possible what I wanted to do with my career after graduating. By attending events, interviews and employability fairs, I accumulated a good amount of Employability Points, and at the end of the year, I was rewarded with the Kent Fire and Rescue Station Road Safety Experience. After travelling to Rochester from Canterbury, where I met other fellow students doing the reward, I proceeded into the station’s very own lecture and movie theatre to watch one of thier videos. The day was followed by a student-led investigation of a reproduced car crash scene, educational games to test our reaction speeds, a comprehensive understanding of the risks of driving under the influence, and the dangers involved with road traffic. We were taught hands-on some basic road safety, and were sworn to never drive and text again.

The most enriching part of the experience was in the afternoon. Two fire investigators presented to us a famous case they dealt with 10 years ago, involving arson and murder. They taught us how they traced the steps of the criminal suspects backwards from the burnt fire scene, and figured out exactly how the fire had started. We learned about how to identify where a fire starts, and how it spreads, as well as how to identify whether the fire started naturally, accidentally or intentionally. Finally we were given fire safety tips, taken through the legal aspect of the case, and then were given the opportunity to ask questions. Thanks to the University of Kent Work Experience Bursary, I had the luck to revise my road and fire safety, as well as learn from a dedicated team some uniquely interesting insights on their job and the dangers it holds, as well its importance.”

Ellie Sullivan – Which? Magazine Legal Team

“I was lucky enough to secure a week of work experience with Which? Magazine’s legal team. I was really excited as it is another route for law graduates – rather than the typical route of gaining a training contract and becoming a solicitor. On my first day everyone was very welcoming and the office had a friendly atmosphere. I was assigned a ‘mentor’  (a consumer legal advisor), who encouraged me to ask questions and explained the relevant Consumer law. I listened in on calls between the advisors and the clients, watched the advisors draft letters on behalf of clients and attended the monthly lawyers meeting.

During my week at Which? Legal I sat with Employment, Wills and Probate, and Consumer legal advisors which vastly improved my knowledge in all of these legal areas. The Which? Legal team work tirelessly to help consumers with everyday – the legal advice given by the team is exceptional, and of great value to the everyday citizen. It was also arranged for me to go to the Mortgages and the Trusted Traders teams – I got to understand how different parts of the business were managed. I also got to attend a Practical Law training session with Thomson Reuters. The legal research skills I learnt in this session will be invaluable, both for the third year of my degree and for any future employment in the legal industry.

At Which? I was given a legal challenge at the start of the week, which I could work on all week. At the end of the week I was to present my findings. This was a useful task, as it allowed me to apply the knowledge I had gained from listening to calls between advisors and clients, and to apply it to my legal scenario. At the end of my work experience placement, my manager gave me a mock interview and CV review. This was insightful as I got to speak to a ‘real’ recruiter about what I could do to improve my CV. The mock interview also helped me practice my interview skills and to think on my feet by providing examples as to where I have shown particular skills.

As my work experience was in Bristol, the University Bursary has helped me fund the work experience. The bursary is a great way to encourage students to take part in work experience. “

 

To find out about the Kent CES Work and Opportunities bursary click here.

For more information on your rights in an unpaid internship click here.

 

The value of work experience – get ahead in law!

Hear from 3 students who benefited from our Work Experience Bursary, when undertaking unpaid work experience:

Nicholas Barrett, final year Law LLB

Working at Medway Council provided me with an invaluable insight into the range of lawyers that are required by the Councils. I wanted to work with the Council in order to gain a greater understanding of what the needs are for legal services compared to the more typical high street or international law firm. I found that the cases are just as complex and dynamic, and I particularly enjoyed working within the People team where I attended meetings and Court in a number of special guardianship and adoption cases.

I also attended Court to gain an understanding of what the Place team do within the Council’s legal services department. This experience has greatly benefited my future employability for two main reasons:

1. It has helped me decide what area of law I would like to work in the future
2. It has opened my eyes to the opportunities available in Council legal services.

Gaining a greater understanding into how the Council legal services department works with respect to the council as a whole was also a valuable experience. I was entrusted to undertake some legal research projects which although complex were very enjoyable. I also helped close down and archive cases for the Council. This work experience has been extremely useful and working at a Council like Medway is something that I am now seriously considering in my future.

Maria Deguara, 2nd year Law LLB

With the help of the Work Experience Bursary, I was able to not only get the amazing opportunity to experience a variety of mini-pupilages, but it also allowed me to witness and experience the working environment in which I am considering as a career. The opportunity to talk to people that are starting out or have been in the profession for a long amount of time gave me a unique insight to the career that I may want to enter. Hearing all the opinions and advice from a variety of barristers and solicitors has facilitated me in understanding the legal profession and thus I will be more confident in making the decision on whether that type of career is suited to me before committing myself to the long and expensive journey ahead of becoming a barrister.

The experience of meeting different barristers has helped me not only see different areas of the law and the variety of environments I can be involved in. Being in court and seeing the barristers fight for their client, reinforced my passion for winning an argument and has shown me that sitting behind a desk is the last thing I want for a career. Yet other aspects, such as family and financial instability has also challenged the way I can decide which career path I take in the future. Seeing the ups and downs of the career early on is so beneficial not only to see how I react in difficult and unfamiliar situations; it also allowed me to prove that I can be professional and that that particular environment does suit me.

Every little bit of advice has provided me with the knowledge I need to make a knowledgeable decision on the career I wish to pursue. This was all possible with the financial support of the university, which I am truly thankful for.

Roxana Cioara, final year European Legal Studies

My experience at Invicta Law has been eye-opening. The focus of my work placement was Child Protection and Family Law. Considering that I have never studied this area of law in depth before, the work that I was involved in allowed me to gain a better understanding of the daily tasks and responsibilities of legal assistants, solicitors and barristers.

I started my placement by attending a meeting on domestic abuse which gave me a strong introduction to the work of the firm. In the afternoon, I got to look at court papers and analyse their structure. I believe it is very important for people in this profession to know that organisation is the key in being successful and knowing how to deal with each paper or form is a must. The following days at the office I focused my attention on preparing for court and drafting legal documents. I spent seven days in court in Canterbury and Dartford taking notes on different cases. This experience provided an overview of the application of legal skills to different people as each situation required a different skill. Getting to see cases and realising that what is happening is no longer a graded problem question, but someone else’s life, was a crucial part in this experience. Becoming a lawyer is more than being able to understand the law. It is knowing how to apply it to a person’s life in order to make it better.

Having this experience is central for my future applications as I wish to qualify as a solicitor in the future and specialise in Family Law. It affirms my dedication and interest to this area of law and it shows that I will be able, in the future, to dedicate myself to this profession. Not only have I gained essential interpersonal skills through communicating with my supervisors, but I have learned the art of “active listening”. Through this, I was able to take important notes during the court proceedings and ask relevant questions to my supervisors after the hearings.

I am happy that I was able to be a part of this work placement and the fact that the University of Kent advertised this opportunity and made sure that there is a possibility for reimbursement for some of the travel expenses is fantastic and should be an example to other institutions.

Journalism work experience thanks to the BKEW bursary

As my MA Journalism degree requires us to study a number of modules involving law, our trip to the House of Commons and the Supreme Court proved to be an insightful experience. Alongside being able to see the day to day and inner workings of the House of Commons, the tour helped to solidify knowledge of various laws and political workings by seeing how they work in practice. For example, seeing how the House of Commons is organised before Prime Minister’s Questions, and how it works in practice proved particularly insightful. Similarly, seeing the House of Lords and how they operate proved equally helpful in solidifying knowledge in how they work.

The visit to the Supreme Court was also very helpful, especially as we were able to sit in on an actual trial that we had recently been following in the news. Not only did it provide a first-hand account of how a Supreme Court case plays out, it also provided insight in what might be expected of a journalist who has been asked to cover a Supreme Court case. All in all it was a very interesting and beneficial day, which has only enhanced my knowledge of journalism law and what is expected of an actual journalist when reporting.

– Daniel Otway is studying for an MA Journalism at the University of Kent

The trip to the Houses of Parliament and the Supreme Court on our class trip to London was very helpful as it further aided my understanding of law. I have a law essay and a law exam coming up within the next couple of months so it gave me insight that I can then put into practice within these tests.

On the trip, we managed to sit in a case taking place at the Supreme Court and got first-hand experience of what happens in such a trial. The case has been well documented in the press and so I was already aware of proceedings going into the trial which made it easier for me to follow and gave me greater understanding of what I was witnessing.

The trip to Parliament was exceptionally interesting as it was somewhere I had never been before. The tour guide gave us a thorough history of the building as well as of the various Members who have sat there throughout the years. It was also very interesting to see the House of Lords in person and see where many life changing decisions have been made.

Overall, the trip helped my understanding of English law and furthered my education on the history of the law itself.

– Grace Gausden is studying for an MA Journalism at the University of Kent

Have you found some unpaid work experience? You could be entitled to the BKEW bursary – apply today!

Work experience at a Solicitor’s Office

Having been fortunate enough to be offered a further legal work placement in a London law firm, the University of Kent Work Experience Bursary made it far more possible for me to take up the opportunity and commute in and out of the city. Living outside of London meant I had to look to means of transport in order to reach my place of work. The easiest and fastest being the train. The bursary allowed the train tickets to be far more affordable, as without the contribution from the scheme, it is unlikely that I would have been able to purchase the transport tickets for the 2 week period.

During my time at Darlingtons Solicitors I found myself completing work and tasks for a number of lawyers and partners in the firm over a variety of floors. I initially completed work regarding a probate matter, following this I had a meeting with the lawyer in order for me to explain and/or justify my findings and conclusions. Following on from this, I was taught by the conveyancing team and was given the opportunity to perform a completion, lease extension and a number of client letters. I was also given the responsibility of calling and emailing clients, other solicitors, estate agents and banks. Further to this, I carried out standard office admin tasks such as copying and scanning documents. I also worked within the litigation department, and the family matters team as I completed research for cases, prepared correspondence for court proceedings, and sat in on client meetings.

On a day to day basis I would arrive at the office at around 8.30am. I initially worked in the litigation area, then moved to conveyancing, and in my second week I moved back to litigation where I was stationed at a desk in the partner’s office. A usual day would comprise of being given a case, reading through the correspondence and document files, filing any addition documents, and then asking questions after the matter having been summarised to me. Following this, I would usually be given 3 or 4 tasks to complete for the matter, some with deadlines. I would work at these tasks as independently as possible and would carry on with them after lunch should I still be unsure of any issues. It was common that after lunch I would have another talk with a lawyer about what I had found or completed so far, I would potentially be given more guidance at this point or slightly different instructions. I aimed to complete all tasks within the working day, but some took a number of days to finalise. I would tend to leave the office at 5pm, at times 6pm if I had pressing work that needed to be completed before 8am. I would then commute back home.

Files that we worked on

Case files

I found this experience to be extremely genuine and an accurate and fair reflection of what life is like working in a small to mid-size law firm. I was given tasks that suited my ability, some of which were easier than others but I was always intellectually stimulated, sometimes returning home after work to continue researching matters. This work experience has therefore not only improved my legal skills and employability but has given me a real insight as to what I can expect working life to be like.

 

The most beneficial aspect of this experience has been the future career prospects that have arisen. Whilst undertaking my work experience, I was encouraged to apply for a training contract within the firm. I did so and within a few days was informed that my application had been shortlisted and I was to be interviewed with the idea of beginning my training contract in 2 years’ time after having completed the LPC. I was thrilled at the news and have yet to be interviewed but am currently preparing for it and am hopeful. Regardless of whether I am selected for one of the 3 available contracts, the process has provided me with further practical experience of legal interviews and applications that will undoubtedly be useful in the future.

 

 

The office dog!

Had it not been for the Kent Bursary Scheme, the opportunities that have been a direct result of my work in the firm would not have presented themselves. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the firm and have learned a great deal about a number of areas of law, further aiding me in deciding which field to later specialise in.

– ALEXANDRA LIMA 3^RD YEAR LLB LAW STUDENT

 

Work experience in Property Law

I found this experience to be extremely valuable in helping me to determine my future legal career path. Prior to undertaking this experience, I was unsure as to whether I wanted to be a barrister or a solicitor. This was my first experience within a solicitor’s firm so it helped me to understand the type of environment I would be working in, as well as the type of work I’d be expected to carry out. This allowed me to draw a comparison with the mini-pupillage I undertook earlier last year. Additionally, the firm I chose specialises solely in Intellectual Property Law which relates to the optional module I chose to study this year. I could therefore apply my existing knowledge and develop a further understanding of this area law in practice.

I sat within the secretary and paralegal department which allowed me to learn the mechanics of the office. On my first day I was introduced to everyone in the office which was effectively a great networking opportunity, particularly as I followed up by making connections via LinkedIn. I was given current case files to read in preparation for client phone calls, where I shadowed Partner’s advising their clients and discussing plans of action. I was also given the task of researching for various cases, for example comparing client and competitor patents in order to establish whether there had been infringement. In addition, I drafted a client’s cease and desist letter from scratch for trademark infringement, which was accepted with very minor amendments.

Overall this experience will prove to be invaluable, particularly as it demonstrates my interest in the field, and will ultimately be a significant addition to my CV when applying for Vacation Schemes and Training Contracts this year. The skills I have learned will put me at an advantage when applying for further work experience in the legal field too. Finally, it has cemented my desire to go pursuing a legal career and given me an introductory insight into the profession. I have also made very useful connections, should I decide to pursue a career in Intellectual Property Law specifically.

– Emily Morgan is a 2nd year Law student at the University of Kent

Work experience at Accenture

My legal work experience at Accenture, the second biggest technology company in the world, greatly improved my knowledge of the new and innovating technology that the law has not yet accounted for. Thanks to the Kent work experience bursary that allowed me to travel into The City every morning I was able to take up this opportunity and improve my legal research skills as well as legal advocacy skills.  I was given a ‘crash course’ on negotiation by the head of Global compliance as well as completing a presentation on a force majeure clause, checking the legality of it and whether it is suitable for the business clients. During this I received critical feedback taking me out of a law student mindset into actually understanding what works for a business. This was probably the most valuable skill that I learnt during my work experience as it was a skill that you can’t learn at university and would be most applicable to improving my employability. I was able to recognise how to be turn the ‘black letter law’ that I had used at university into something that works for a benefit when essentially they are always looking to solutions to legal problems tin order to save them money.

I also sat on the weekly legal department phone call, taking down minutes that were later used in the director’s meeting. As well as receiving talks from a range of specialised lawyers such as complex contracting, digital business, intellectual property, data privacy and more throughout the week. The intellectual property talk was particularly helpful as I am studying this module this year, so it was interesting to gain an introduction to it as well as see it in practice in a large technology company. The data privacy talk was particularly helpful as it is a current issue with GDPR compliance that is changing and taking effect in Europe next year. It has the potential to have massive effect on businesses by harmonizing data protection across 28 EU member states and the breach fines being of up to €20 million or 4 percent of gross annual turnover. As it was something I did not know much about, but is so pivotal to how law, technology and the protection of it is changing in society. I learnt the potential employability prospects of data privacy as it is high in demand as well as how it applies to all different types of law.

To end the week, we visited the innovation hub and gained an insight into new technology such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, block chain and bitcoin. Getting to use the products, with some that were strictly classified, was really exciting. Overall, I was so lucky to have a group of hard working interns and lawyers so willing to share their experiences!

– Chenelle Olaiya is a 3rd year Law student

Who is for and who’s against the law?

I was privileged to gain a mini-pupillage with a QC at a top law chambers in London. Unfortunately, I don’t live in London and it would have been difficult for me to bear the cost of commuting daily. With the bursary scheme however, I was able take on this opportunity without fear of the costs.

I spent two weeks with the QC. During the period, I went to the central criminal court and was privileged to sit in on two very important murder trials. I was given the opportunity to discuss the cases and to provide answers to situations that arose in court. I also sat in on conferences and meetings that the QC had. Through this mini-pupillage, I learnt about the general day to day practices of a court that cannot be obtained in a lecture room. I had close contact with my QC and other practising barristers and a chance to observe them at work. Observing the law this way has truly been an invaluable experience. It was great to get involved in real cases and discover how pragmatic matters, such as the wellbeing of a witness, can influence the shape of proceedings.

During the two weeks, I was also fortunate enough to watch the retirement ceremony of a judge. The whole ceremony taught me a lot about the court system and encouraged me to aspire for even greater heights in my law career. On the last day of the mini-pupillage, I had drinks with junior and senior members of the chambers. Through the discussions we had, I was given insight on how to succeed in law school and even at the bar in future. I was also able to develop relationships with them which means I can go to them directly if need be. Though I didn’t realise at the time, my level of confidence and networking skills have also improved.

This mini-pupillage has served as a great learning experience and I am grateful to the bursary scheme for making it possible.

– Ebunoluwa Adeniran

New York, New York….Walk the Talk

I have been to New York City before, but this time was significantly different. I returned to a familiar place – to a large church near Times Square – but I volunteered within a capacity fairly foreign to me. Previously I had assisted the Women’s Ministry department, but this time, I was helping with a large outreach called “Walk the Talk.” The week prior to the outreach, I assisted Priscilla from the Missions department with prep for the upcoming week. This involved buying supplies; designing name tags; drawing a map of the city, and ordering lunches from local restaurants. It was great being able to liberate Priscilla so she could focus on the organisational and managerial side of things. The actual week of the outreach, I helped sign people in and I led one of the teams.

Time Square Church’s heart is to reach out to the local community and Walk the Talk was planned to facilitate this specific vision. Those who signed up to participate were members from the congregation who have a likeminded heart to reach out to the community. The outreach ran for four days from 1st – 4th August, and it involved sending teams to four different areas within close proximity to the church. Teams of six to seven people went to: Times Square, Hell’s Kitchen, the Rockefeller Center, and Columbus Circle. I led the team that went out to Columbus Circle. Each day involved a teaching session as well as practically going out to those different areas. The outreach activities varied daily, but they involved speaking to people; giving out bottles of water and snacks, as well as helping to clean St. Paul’s (a soup kitchen for the homeless).

As mentioned in my opening line, this particular time in New York City was significantly different for me. To aptly express and articulate all the ways in which I benefited from volunteering with Walk the Talk, is a hard task. The teaching was both challenging, and inspiring, and it aided in equipping us to effectively minister to the community. Personally, the opportunity to lead a team was greatly beneficial and it certainly gave me invaluable experience, as well as enhancing my interpersonal skills. The whole experience taught me to a greater degree that people matter, and this is something I hope will stay with me, and will affect my life, both personally and professionally. I believe that effective leadership incorporates caring about those under you, and inspiring them to enter into and carry the corporate vision forward, into fruition.

The University of Kent Work Experience Bursary contributed in making it possible to travel to the US, without feeling hindered financially. Knowing this bursary was available gave peace of mind and excitement that this opportunity was within reach. I am truly thankful to the University of Kent for their support, and I would encourage others who have a desire to volunteer abroad, but may feel restricted financially, to consider applying also!

– Sophie Lamb is a final year law student

Good morning, Judge

As an aspiring London barrister, it is important that I attend mini-pupillages at barristers’ chambers in London. However, the train fare to London can be very expensive when travelling at peak times for a week. I am therefore very grateful to the work experience bursary for removing the stress and worry of having to pay for this, allowing me to have a valuable and essential work experience placement in London.

Attending a mini pupillage allowed me to see what life as a pupil or junior barrister is like, and to gauge the type of cases that a property barrister will start off doing. It allowed me to ask all the questions I had about how to get to the bar and what its like, which will help me to make sure that I’m on the right track.

I was given an unassessed task while I was there in which I had to come up with arguments for a client to have their claim reinstated, which used material from a real case that the chambers had took on, meaning that I got to experience what I felt like to work through the bundle for a case and formulate arguments using the Civil Procedure Rules, just like a real junior barrister. The task was very interesting and the barrister who set it was very impressed with what I came up with. This experience will be very useful for when I apply for pupillage as there will be similar tasks as assessments, and it was an excellent introduction to the Civil Procedure Rules which will help me with my Bar Professional Training Course.

I’ve realised how essential mini-pupillages are, as all chambers are so different, and it is important to find one where I feel like I’ll fit in. However, the two main lessons I learnt on this placement were: 1. That barristers do a LOT of reading; and 2. Barristers do a LOT of waiting. But that it is all worth it for that time in court where you are affecting real lives, doing the best you can for your client. This placement really made the law feel real for me, as opposed to just subject matter. As a barrister, you put the law into action.

– Cara Hall is a recent Law graduate