I Got Hired: Pupil Barrister at 7 Chavasse Court Chambers

Posted on: 20 January 2020 in Graduate stories

Callum graduated LLB (Hons) Law degree from the University of Liverpool in 2018. He is currently training to be a Barrister at Chavasse Court Chambers in Liverpool.

He talks about the importance of work experience and the opportunities for pro bono work provided through the Liverpool Law Clinic. he also discusses how his degree prepared him for his career, the importance of making the most of University and offers advice for students as they prepare for life after graduation.

What has been your best experience while studying your course at the University of Liverpool?

During the third year of my degree, I had the opportunity through one of my modules to do some pro bono work at the University of Liverpool Law Clinic. This experience allowed me to put my knowledge of the law to the test, whilst giving me the chance to work on real cases and help real people. The level of satisfaction I got from working towards successful outcomes for clients who desperately needed my help was indescribable. This opportunity also stood out massively on my CV and was a great source of experience to draw upon during pupillage interviews.

The opportunities to work with this level of independence and responsibility during an undergraduate degree in Law are few and far between. It is for these reasons that my Law Clinic experience stands out from my wealth of experiences at the University of Liverpool as being the best.

Which aspects of your course do you think have been the most beneficial to your career development?

Law degrees are usually very similar as a result of the governing bodies dictating what should and should not be taught. However, that is where the similarities end. What matters then is not what you are learning specifically, but how you are being taught, how you are learning what you need to, what projects you are set, and so on. I felt the University stood out on all of these points, from excellent teaching staff, to great ideas for projects and a modern take on teaching methods.

I found the lecturers at the University of Liverpool to not only be superb in teaching during lectures and seminars, but also very approachable outside of teaching hours. This is very helpful when you need an obscure point clarified, or to ask something you don't want to in front of the rest of your class. The lecturers who I dealt with also went above and beyond their roles to help me. I found myself able to access mock interviews with not only the Careers Service, but also with my lecturers, meaning I was getting perfectly tailored interviews to help prepare me for the real thing.

The Careers Service also organised many useful talks and workshops, of which I benefitted from immensely. I attended talks and workshops ranging from discussions on scholarship advice and career advice, to interview preparation, CV writing and cover letter preparation. The list goes on. I would go as far to say that these talks allowed me to be much more prepared than I could ever had anticipated for aspiring towards my chosen career.

I was also really impressed by the pro bono opportunities offered by the Law School throughout my time at the University. There were new initiatives appearing all the time, which were great to get involved in. These are the types of extra-curricular opportunities which can set you apart from the crowd when it comes to job applications, and the University of Liverpool offered no shortage in their chances to engage in these experiences.

Can you please share an insight into your current role and if this was supported by your time at the University of Liverpool?

Since graduating in July 2018, I went on to study the Bar Professional Training Course. I have now finished the BPTC, and will be commencing a pupillage in March 2020 in Crime and Family Law at Chavasse Court Chambers, Liverpool. As a pupil barrister, I will be spending a year shadowing other barristers and conducting my own cases under supervision.

My role has been supported by my time at the University of Liverpool in various ways. I had the opportunity to network copiously with various legal professionals which helped me to make an informed decision on my future career, as well as understand what I needed to do to get there, whilst also allowing me to build long-lasting connections within the industry. The Law School and the legal societies at the University work very hard to provide plenty of these networking opportunities.

The Careers Service helped here hugely as well. Mock interviews were organised, relevant professionals were invited to come and speak to us about important topics, and applications were reviewed in a timely and in-depth manner. Being proactive and utilising the benefits of this service are absolutely crucial. It definitely paid off for me to utilise them as much as possible.

Do you have any top tips to share with future and current students?

Make use of all that the University of Liverpool has to offer. From the excellent Careers Service, to the great lecturers and the abundance of extra-curricular activities and voluntary positions on offer! The more you engage with the University, the more you will gain from your time there. The rewards will be reaped when it comes to job applications and applying for graduate schemes.

Start planning early when it comes to careers and future aspirations. The earlier you start to think about it all, the more help the University can offer you in reaching for your goals. A support network always makes the journey much more achievable, so make use of everything you possibly can.

Finally, enjoy yourself and your study! The happier you are, the more motivated you will be and thus the harder you will work. You can do this!

What is the first thing that you think of when you think of the University of Liverpool?

All my great memories of my undergraduate study. From remembering the freshers nights out, all the way to my graduation day. Everyone used to tell me that University will be the best time of your life, and I never listened until I looked back and realised they were right all along. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Ensure you make the most of everything possible in the city of Liverpool and at the University. It is an incredible place, and I am delighted to have called the city home for 5 years now, with (hopefully) many more happy years to come!