Just as you thought you were successfully through CACH, you now face OLPAS (the Online Pupillage Application System). Why use OLPAS?New in 2001, OLPAS enables you to apply to your chosen chambers online via the OLPAS website. Over 50% of chambers with pupillages registered with OLPAS in its first year. OLPAS has been designed to make the application process simpler and fairer than previously. All applications to chambers subscribing to OLPAS are done on a standardised application form. This means that chambers select candidates for interview on the basis of the same information, enabling clear and fair identification of the best candidates. Also applying online cuts out many long nights of form-filling and letter-writing in applying to individual chambers. How does it work?OLPAS has an online handbook listing all recruiting chambers including those using OLPAS and those co-ordinating their own recruitment. The handbook incorporates information on funding, areas of specialisation and the number of junior tenancies offered in recent years. It also enables matching against search criteria. The online application form is clearly presented. You can print a copy off so that you have time to think it through and you can complete parts of the form online in more than one session. OLPAS has two seasons a year - Spring and Autumn - and you can apply for up to 12 chambers in each application season. The Spring season deadline is at the end of April and the Autumn deadline the end of September. Once an offer is made you have 14 days in which to accept or reject it before losing the offer. You cannot wait until the second round in the Autumn to see who else is offering pupillages. Late applications are allowed but don't rely on these as chambers are under no obligation to consider them. According to their specialisation and recruiting preference, chambers will opt for the season that best suits their pupillage requirements. Don't feel that you have missed out if you do not secure a pupillage in the first season. Chambers not in OLPAS have been requested to adhere to the OLPAS recruitment deadlines which should make your decision-making slightly easier if you are lucky enough to have more than one offer. Most chambers will recruit students in their final year or after graduation but some plan to recruit two years in advance in line with the practice of corporate and commercial law firms. What is on the form?As well as the standard questions the form asks about work experience, motivation to be a barrister, reasons for area/s of interest, awards, scholarships and prizes and extra-curricular activities. You'll also be asked to give a 150-word explanation to each of your chosen chambers of your reasons for selecting them. What do I need to fill in the blank spaces?While the needs of recruiters will vary, all chambers will expect evidence of a commitment to a career at the Bar and of academic ability, and typically seek: - Participation in mini-pupillages - how you gained an insight into the work of a barrister and areas of law.
- Experience of placements in solicitors' firms - useful for a full understanding of the legal process and confirming your choice of barrister or solicitor.
- Other work experience - as well as showing a life outside law, this can demonstrate development of critical skills such as customer liaison, administration or listening ability as well as an insight into possibly relevant work areas and adaptability.
- Advocacy skills/public speaking - highlight situations in which you have represented others/made presentations such as mooting, debating, voluntary work for organisations such as FRU or CAB or student representative positions.
- Research abilities - outline examples of situations in which you have worked independently and used academic ability and resources. A dissertation or participation in a mock trial can be useful as material - it does not have to be a legal example!
- People skills - chambers will seek pupils who can show the ability to assess people and their situations, liase effectively with others and project a professional image. Such skills can be demonstrated from activities ranging from student welfare to insurance sales.
- Energy - you need to illustrate that you can work under pressure. Have you juggled work and study? Did you have responsibilities in addition to your degree? Have you had a position of responsibility to hold down while studying?
How can you prepare?Research. Given the intense competition for pupillages it is essential that you make informed and realistic choices when selecting chambers. Find out whether you're ready to choose a specialist area of practice. Some areas will be more competitive than others. Do you want to keep your options open? Consider general common law chambers. Does the chambers place great emphasis on academic achievements or is there a greater emphasis on personality and life-skills? Where do you fit in? Are you attracted to London or the provinces? London chambers may recruit more pupils but have proportionally fewer tenancies. You need to be sure of your reasons and suitability for each of the choices you make. Make the most of any contacts and experience you have gained through mini-pupillages, visiting the Inns of Court, and so on. Attend the Pupillage Fairs in either London or Manchester and question representatives from exhibiting chambers. Use publications such as the Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, usually available in your careers service, and read the legal press to gain background information. Ensuring you have undertaken a range of activities to develop key skills, researched your choices and completed the form effectively is critical to gain an interview. Sarah Longwell: Keele University The OLPAS website is: www.olpas.co.uk The General Council of the Bar 2/3 Cursitor Street London EC4A 1NE www.barcouncil.org.uk | 
