I have now started pupillage. It’s early days, but it seems as though it was the right decision.
In deference to the quality blogs and other sites out there that talk about pupillage, and (I admit) because it makes me a little nervous, I shan’t be blogging about what it’s like. In tribute to the good old days of BabyBarista however, the barristers I’ve met so far I’d describe as WheelerDealer, AlFresco, RichCynic and SwearBox. Now that’s my last word on the subject.
Good luck and I hope it goes wonderfully. Completely understand the ‘no pupillage blogging’ rule, but I hope you keep the blog going. We haven’t got enough good substantive/practice law blogs to lose one.
Thanks as always for the comment – have no fear, I’m already feeling guilty that my number of posts has dropped off a bit of late. I’ll be prioritising posting here (together with some panicked learning of laws that aren’t to do with employment.)
what is it about chambers that they want bloggers to stfu? you’d have thought a misunderstood profession like the bar would welcome people being human and giving a bit of insight to the ordinary folk. this is an arrogant body i seem to want to join!
and how come you started pupillage in march/april?
April pupillage comes from some random thing here (in an anonymous English city that isn’t London) where they take two pupils per year, but at six monthly intervals: I’m starting my first six whilst the last one is starting the second. There’s good and bad – I’ve had problems finding an advocacy course, and the Bar Council talk to me as though I’ve done it just to upset them, but I don’t have that unsettling feeling that my fellow pupil and I are after the same job.
Attitudes towards blogging are changing, Bystander on the Magistrate’s Blog noted recently that when he first started there was a campaign to find and discipline him, and now the MoJ actually links to his site.
In the same way I doubt many barristers / chambers would have a problem with blogging per se, but the fact is that to many old fashioned barristers putting yourself on a platform and airing your views in public simply isn’t done. Attitudes are changing, but a tenancy rests on a simple vote and membership of a chambers will include old buffers who react badly to it.
The recent exhortations to pupils to be quiet may well be born out of anxiety for their chances.
thanks for answering my impertinent queries. while i’m sure the advice to be quiet is to protect pupils’ chance of tenancy (and the fact that in the same position – as i may yet manage to find myself – i would toe the line and shut it) it’s still wrong. shoot the buffers now – it would be a kindness.
and what is it to do with the blasted inns anyway? they exist for their members and not vice versa.
as a professional trainer of some years standing and an actor of more, i am trying to sell my services as advocacy trainer. even suggested a course fees reduction in exchange for my gold dust. and i try to claim that OTHER barristers are arrogant!
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