Help me through PACH!
Just as you thought you were successfully through CACH, you now face PACH, the Pupillage Application Clearing House operated by the Bar Council to co-ordinate applications for pupillages.
Why
use PACH? The PACH system has been designed to make the application
process simpler and fairer. For those chambers subscribing to PACH you
will apply on one standardised application form. Approximately 70% of
chambers with pupillages use PACH, and the participating chambers select
for interview on the basis of the same form. It saves you time and effort
in filling in application forms and also allows chambers to clearly identify
those people they want to interview.
How does it work?
Essential reading is the Pupillages and Awards Handbook,
usually produced in April. The vast majority of advertised pupillages
are for the autumn of the following year but a small number of chambers
will accept applications two years in advance. Issued by the Bar Council,
the handbook lists all the PACH and non-PACH chambers which have pupillages.
It includes nitty-gritty detail such as type of pupillage, funding, areas
of specialisation and the number of junior tenancies offered in recent
years. With the handbook you will receive a disc on which your application
has to be made. Don't be alarmed, the disc is designed with the computer
illiterate in mind and has clear instructions. You can typically choose
12 chambers to which your details will be forwarded, and three reserves.
Once the form is completed accurately it must reach the Bar Council for
the deadline, which is anticipated to be in July.
The handbook
also has details of application procedures and deadlines for non-participating
chambers.
What else is on the form?
As well as the expected questions about academic qualifications and date
of birth, the form usually asks about:
- work or work-related experience
- other experience and achievements
- mini-pupillages and other Bar-related experience
- awards, scholarships and prizes
- choice of career at the Bar
How
do I fill in the blank spaces? While the needs of recruiters
will vary, all chambers will seek evidence of a commitment to a career
at the Bar. In addition to academic ability, chambers look for:
Participation in mini-pupillages
Ð essential to gain an insight into the work of a barrister and specialist
areas.
Experience of placements in solicitors'
firms Ð useful for a total understanding of the legal profession
and confirming your choice of barrister over solicitor.
Other work experience Ð
all work experience is relevant and can demonstrate development of key
skills such as customer liaison, administration or listening ability,
as well as giving an insight into how adaptable you are.
Advocacy skills - it is
valuable to depict situations in which you have represented others such
as mooting, voluntary work for organisations such as FRU or CAB or student
representative positions.
Research abilities Ð outline examples of situations in which
you have worked independently and used academic ability and resources
such as a dissertation or participation in a mock trial - remember it
does not have to be a legal example!
People skills - most barristers'
incomes, and reputations, are dependent upon attracting and keeping clients.
Chambers will seek pupils who can show the ability to assess people and
their situations, liaise effectively with others and project a professional
image. Such skills can be demonstrated from activities ranging from student
welfare work to insurance sales.
Energy Ð the Bar brings
tight deadlines and the need to perform to a high standard. 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?
Always state specifically either what your role was or the exact situation,
what you did and what you achieved/learnt.
How can you prepare? Research. Research. Research É Given the
competition for pupillages it is essential that you make informed and
realistic choices when selecting chambers.
Are you 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. Do 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 on your PACH form.
Use publications such as the Chambers and Partners Directory and the Bar
Directory, usually available in your careers service, to gain background
information. Also make the most of any contacts and experience you have
gained through mini-pupillages, visiting the Inns of Court, etc.
What are your chances? Competition is stiff. Last year there
were approximately 400 pupillages available through PACH for 2,062 applicants,
and approximately 300 pupillages available outside PACH. 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. Good luck.
Sarah Longwell:
Careers Adviser
Keele University
Further information
For details and a timetable for PACH please contact the
Education and Training Department
General Council of The Bar
2/3 Cursitor Street
London
EC4A 1NE
For help and advice call the PACH office on 020 7440 4015
What do you look for on the PACH application?
- Minimum 2:1 degree in any subject Ð non-law degree students are not at a disadvantage.
- Evidence of practical legal/advisory experience Ð other than mini-pupillage.
- Evidence of some relevant specialist skills Ð which may not necessarily be legal.
What would lead to rejection of an application?
- Less than 2:1 degree.
- No practical experience, knowledge, advocacy skills.
- If the applicant has gone straight from school to university to the Bar without any other experience.
4 Brick Court
Temple
London WC4Y 9AD
What do you look for on the PACH application?
- Academic ability.
- Honesty Ð do not attempt to hide poor results.
- Support your observations with substance Ð we can only describe ourselves as enthusiastic or problem-solvers and it can mean very little.
Chambers of Robert
Reid QC
9 Old Square
Lincoln's Inn
London
WC2A 3SR
