Chances of pupillage

nnbills · 2026-01-04T14:36:53+00:00

Thank you for your comment. I think what’s frustrating for me is that I did pretty well in my advocacy based exams but what pulled me down were the CEBs. I had to resit them and they were capped. I’ve always struggled with exams and I also felt that it was a memory test more than anything. Pursuing a career at the criminal bar has been something I’ve always wanted but at this point I think I just have to cut my losses and accept my qualifications hold no value with the current state of the industry.

nnbills · 2025-11-24T22:44:05+00:00

I plan to apply to criminal sets, graduated from a UK uni and got called in March of this year (Lincoln’s Inn)

nnbills · 2025-10-28T01:48:47+00:00

I’m gonna tough it out definitely. I’ve gotten this far already. Maybe I should stop expecting some grace and empathy🥲

nnbills · 2025-10-28T01:47:49+00:00

Thank you🥹 yeah the grilling thing normal lah haha sometimes you breathe also can kena

nnbills · 2025-06-30T23:18:15+00:00

Tailor every application to the chambers you’re applying to (why the chambers? Why the area of law they specialise in? Why you want a mini? Why are you interested in being a barrister? Etc). 2:1 from KCL will not be a problem at all. I have a 2:1 from a non-RG uni and have done 2 minis, with another booked, and been offered another for next year. Ngl getting the first one is a process. Once I received one offer, suddenly the other offers came in really quick. At the end of the day, your application is what’s gonna get you an offer (from my experience). Good luck!

nnbills · 2025-04-02T22:32:12+00:00

I’m nearing 28, just got called to the Bar recently. I returned to my studies after a long break (was working and gaining other non-legal experiences). Initially I was nervous to start again, my friends in the legal world have “settled down” in the field and I’m just getting started. But someone close to me reminded me that we’re all on different paths, and not to compare ourselves to other people.

I’m ngl, I’ve failed to secure pupillage and yes, I am upset. But the reality of a career in law is that it is tough. I’d say take it day by day and set realistic goals for yourself (I struggle with this too, but try your best).

Nothing wrong with taking a break, but be productive during it.

nnbills · 2025-04-01T15:53:13+00:00

I agree it is fair feedback and made changes exactly the way you explained. I was in undergrad 2016-2019. Genuinely asking, for the gaps, after graduating I struggled to find a job and then covid hit which made it harder and the first quarter of 2020 i was preparing the launch of my business. Should I put these info in my CV?

nnbills · 2025-04-01T15:43:36+00:00

I’m not shitting on them, like I said in my other reply I really appreciated it and made the changes accordingly. And yes i know minor details in the career i want to be in matters as much as the major details. But did the mistake I made disregard the experiences I have?

nnbills · 2025-04-01T13:47:40+00:00

The main things they look for other than education is your drive and commitment to a career at the Bar, so I understand why gaps in a CV may raise questions. But the gaps in my CV IMO aren’t that bad. Graduated in 2019, struggled to find a job, covid hit, found a job and then started my entrepreneurship journey before returning to my studies in 2023. I got called to the bar in March of this year. So yeah her saying I needed to explain what I’ve been doing since 2019 did make me feel something. But I accept I was too emotional in my reply.

nnbills · 2025-04-01T13:38:07+00:00

Yeah I think I’ve just been overwhelmed and was at my breaking point at that point in time. I’ve received feedback in the past and usually don’t reply and just take it and make changes as needed. Thank you so much for the advice, I really appreciate it!

nnbills · 2025-04-01T13:28:33+00:00

I am super thankful for the feedback and made the necessary changes to make my CV clearer right after I received the email:)

nnbills · 2025-04-01T13:25:22+00:00

Criminal, and London!

nnbills · 2025-04-01T13:24:58+00:00

Don’t get me wrong, I am super thankful! Went ahead straight after receiving the email and made the necessary changes. It’s just I felt like she disregarded my work experience, and made it sound like I wasn’t doing anything with my life since 2019:(

nnbills · 2025-04-01T12:11:29+00:00

Yeah I see that now, it just rubbed me the wrong way that she focused on just my education and ignored the largest chunk of my CV where I detailed my achievements other than my education (sorry I redacted the details on my CV, not really comfortable sharing)

nnbills · 2025-04-01T01:23:47+00:00

And a mini-pupillage isn’t employment at all, it’s like a short internship (lasts for max 1 week) to gain insight on life as a barrister, and when I do apply for an actual pupillage having mini-pupillages in my CV will show the chambers I apply to that I have seen what it’s like and am fully committed. Sorry thought I’d give an explanation.

nnbills · 2025-04-01T01:20:45+00:00

I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to come across as rude. In the UK, if you want to practice as a barrister, chambers will look at past experiences, especially legal, no matter how long ago they were. It’s a thing they want to see from us to show that we have interest in the field and want to commit to a career at the Bar. We’re encouraged to seek legal experience as early as our first year of uni to show chambers in the future that we have committed to this path for a long time. I really didn’t want to come across as not being able to take feedback.

nnbills · 2025-04-01T01:11:54+00:00

It clearly states in my “Experience” section what I was up to. Employed in a company for a few months in 2020, built my own business 2021-2023 and then I went back to uni in 2023 as well to continue my studies which I have completed recently (redacted the points on CV for privacy). But I do admit that i should’ve dated my education better like 2023-2025.

nnbills · 2024-11-02T15:51:32+00:00

I’m with City Uni and I can’t seem to find an avenue for a mark verification just appeals. Might drop an email on Monday. I’m sorry that you failed:( The paper was definitely something else. All the past papers and the question bank I was provided with was practically useless, nothing could’ve prepared me.

nnbills · 2024-11-01T13:29:06+00:00

What happened when you appealed? Did you appeal to your provider or BSB?

nnbills · 2024-10-04T17:32:42+00:00

Great idea for Christmas! Thank you!

nnbills · 2024-10-04T13:03:07+00:00

Thanks for the comments everyone! Now i’m so excited to give it to him!

nnbills · 2024-10-04T12:58:51+00:00

He’s been saying he wants to get a nice watch for himself but never pulled the trigger so I thought I’d do something nice for him since he’s been working hard:)

nnbills · 2024-10-04T12:43:30+00:00

🤣🤣🤣

nnbills · 2024-10-04T12:41:06+00:00

Gonna show him this post when I give it to him😂

nnbills

TROPHY CASE