University: University of Cambridge
Degree: Law
Year of call: 2022
Position: Barrister
What made the Bar the right career choice for you, rather than other legal routes?
I started my legal career as a solicitor. Thereafter, I transferred to the Bar to gain the opportunity to become more involved in oral and written advocacy, and to maintain an independent practice.
How did you narrow down which chambers to apply to and what mattered most in that decision?
As a solicitor, I predominantly acted in international commercial and investor-state arbitrations, and therefore, wanted to maintain a broad commercial practice at the Bar. Therefore, my choice of chambers to apply to was mostly guided by their main practice areas.
Did you complete a mini-pupillage? Would you advise other aspiring barristers to try to do one of these?
I undertook a few mini-pupillages before applying for pupillages. I’d advise aspiring barristers to consider doing the same, as mini-pupillages are likely to give them a better idea of the day-to-day working life of a barrister and the culture of the chambers to which they are keen to apply.
How did you balance your time personally and professionally as a pupil?
During pupillage, our supervisors didn’t overload us with assignments and actively discouraged us from staying back past 6:00pm or working on weekends. That meant we had enough time to balance our personal and professional lives, which was helpful, given that pupillage was otherwise a period of steep learning.
What was the best way to learn effectively as a pupil?
I think the best way to learn effectively as a pupil is by being receptive to and acting on all feedback received on one’s written work or advocacy exercises from supervisors and assessors. At the same time, observing how supervisors approach knotty issues in their own cases and learning by asking them relevant questions should also accelerate a pupil’s learning.
Please outline your practice area, and walk us through what a recent working day looked like for you.
My current practice has three main strands – general commercial litigation and arbitration, civil fraud and insolvency disputes.
If I’m in court, a typical working day will mostly be spent on preparing for and attending the hearing, followed by a conference with the instructing solicitor about how the hearing went and what next steps should be taken depending on the outcome.
If I’m not in court, a typical working day would involve a mix of paperwork, such as drafting pleading or skeleton argument, and advising solicitors over conferences.
What has been the highlight of your time at the Bar so far?
The highlight of my short time at the Bar so far was appearing at my first trial as sole counsel for the claimant in a claim involving alleged breaches of oral agreements relating to the manufacturing of gold jewellery.
It was a five-day trial, involving cross-examination of three witnesses and many moving parts, including the disclosure of further documents after the completion of opening submissions, and an (unsuccessful) application by the defendant to amend their pleading while the cross-examination of witnesses was underway. Thankfully, my client, was adjudged the successful party and the Court ordered the defendant to deliver up the claimed amount of raw gold to my client.
What advice would you give to someone deciding whether the Bar is right for them?
I'd advise someone considering the Bar to undertake mini-pupillages or similar work experience at both chambers and law firms, and, if possible, across a range of practice areas, so they can make a more informed decision about whether the Bar is right for them, and if so, what area(s) of law will they enjoy practising.
How predictable is your workload as a junior barrister, and how do you manage busy periods?
I've had a fairly consistent workload so far. Clerks are especially helpful in managing workloads during busy periods if we give them advance notice of conflicting work deadlines or holidays that we may want to book.
How would you describe the culture at your chambers, and how does that show up in day‑to‑day working life?
Maitland Chambers has a friendly, supportive and collaborative environment. That’s immensely helpful to junior barristers like us, who can always reach out to more senior members for advice on difficult issues that may come up in our practice.
What diversity and inclusion initiatives is your chambers involved with?
Maitland Chambers is involved in many different diversity and inclusion initiatives, including but not limited to:
- Bridging the Bar;
- Oxford Law Widening Participation Scheme;
- COMBAR Mentoring Scheme for Underrepresented Groups;
- Bar Placement Scheme;
- Sutton Trust Pathways to Law; and
- Cambridge Exploring Law Programme.
Chambers is constantly reviewing the initiatives it’s involved with and looking for new initiatives to support.
Where is your dream holiday destination?
Antarctica
