In this first episode, we wanted to give you a taste of what it takes to become a barrister and there seemed no better way than by introducing you to Ubah Dirie, junior barrister and recipient of an Access to the Bar Award. Ubah told us about her journey to the Bar – from her first steps taking part in activities in Middle Temple, to the rewards of her pro bono work.
One of the first things you need when setting off, is a CV. For pupillage-hunters, there are specific do’s and don’t’s. Our second guest, Ishan Kolhatkar, is a master of legal CVs and he came and spoke to us about how to compile and finesse an effective CV.
Guests in order of appearance
Ubah Dirie: barrister at the 36 Group https://36group.co.uk/members/ud
Ishan Kolhatkar: Deputy Dean of Education Services at BPP University and barrister http://bptclecturer.com/about-me and active Twitter user @bptc_lecturer
https://twitter.com/bptc_lecturer?lang=en and blogger http://bptclecturer.com/
Useful Links
Access to the Bar Scheme: https://www.middletemple.org.uk/education-and-training/scholarships-and-prizes/access-to-the-bar-awards
Lincoln’s Inn: https://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/
Gray’s Inn: https://www.graysinn.org.uk/
Inner Temple: https://www.innertemple.org.uk/
Middle Temple: https://www.middletemple.org.uk/
Middle Temple Students’ Association (MTSA): https://www.middletemple.org.uk/education-and-training/middle-temple-students-association
Middle Temple Young Barristers’ Association (MTYBA): https://www.middletemple.org.uk/members/inn-societies-and-groups/middle-temple-young-barristers-association
Wondering what an effective CV looks like? Take a look at this excellent example: https://typographyforlawyers.com/resumes.html
For further guidance on writing your CV: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-cover-letters/how-to-write-a-cv
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Glossary
The Bar: The Bar of England and Wales is a term used to describe the legal profession of barristers. Barristers are known as ‘members of the Bar’.
Benchers: Masters of the Bench, the governing body of an Inn.
Call to the Bar: the process of qualifying to become a barrister. A Call ceremony takes place at the barrister’s Inn of Court before or during the pupillage year. A barrister is called to the utter (‘outer’) bar or ‘appointed to the degree of the utter bar’
CV: curriculum vitae or résumé; a short, written description setting out your education, qualifications, experience and interests that you may send out when trying to obtain pupillage, mini-pupillages or further work experience.
Dinners and Dining: the traditional name for the twelve qualifying sessions that all students must undertake before being Called to the Bar. These can be dinners, advocacy weekends, lectures and other events.
Hall: all the barristers within an Inn.
Inns of Court: the four professional associations for barristers in England and Wales. Lincoln’s Inn; Gray’s Inn; Inner Temple; and
Middle Temple.
Marshalling: work experience shadowing a judge.
Master Treasurer: non-Executive Chair of the Inn – an annual appointment.
Pro Bono: coming from the Latin ‘Pro bono publico’ meaning ‘for the public good’, pro bono is unpaid voluntary work. Many barristers and students undertake pro bono work offering their professional skills to provide services to those who are unable to afford them.
Pupillage: a year’s apprenticeship in a barristers’ chambers, part of qualifying to become a fully-fledged barrister.
QC: Queen’s Counsel – an award for excellence in advocacy in the higher courts. Those who become QCs are also known as ‘silks’. The title depends on the sex of the sovereign and during the reign of a king, QCs will become ‘King’s Counsel’ or ‘KCs’.
Silk: a colloquialism meaning Queen’s Counsel – the term comes from the silk gowns traditionally worn by QCs. ‘Taking silk’ means successfully becoming a QC.
Under Treasurer: the Chief Executive of the Inn.
