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Year of graduation: 2016
Degree: Law with French Law
Current position: Pupil Barrister (year of Call: 2020)
Areas of practice: Planning, Property, Environment and Public Law
Pupillage is always going to be a challenge; however looking back on my recent experience of pupillage I am confident that Landmark made the process as comfortable as it is possible to do so, without compromising on the very high standard of training. From the beginning it has been made clear to me that my development is a priority and that I can ask for help. Any anxious thoughts I had were quickly dispelled by the transparency of the tenancy decision-making process. The focus is squarely on meeting the required standard, rather than on any of the other non-work related things one tends to worry about as a pupil. My overriding impression of Chambers is of a welcoming, inclusive and friendly work environment. There
is a very clear expectation that pupils do not work late and at weekends. That held true throughout my pupillage.
Pupillage at Landmark is structured around four three-month seats with a different supervisor, the first three seats covering Chambers’ main areas of planning, public and property law respectively. At the end of each of those seats you will undertake a written assessment set by a senior member of Chambers. The assessments are designed to be challenging, but you are provided with detailed feedback afterwards. There were also two advocacy assessments which provided useful opportunities to practise before doing my own hearings.
It has been incredibly exciting to learn from barristers right at the top of their fields. At Landmark you are given plenty of opportunities to spend time with silks and learn from them. The work usually involves providing a first draft of a written advice, pleadings or skeleton argument, or otherwise assisting with hearing preparation and research. Feedback is prompt and targeted at your development.
The breadth and quality of the work is very high. Just as one example, in my first week of pupillage, I attended a remote Supreme Court hearing relating to the proposal for a third runway at Heathrow Airport. This is characteristic of Landmark’s high-profile practice, which it maintains because of its excellent reputation across its practice areas. These are areas that really matter in modern society and over pupillage it has been very rewarding to have found that cases I am assisting with are regularly featured in the news.
Since being offered tenancy, I have been working mostly on my own cases, although the extent to which you do your own work during the second six varies. As I begin to take on more work, I have been supported by committed pupil supervisors, an impressive practice management team and a network of very talented juniors who are always willing to answer any queries I may have. I am looking forward to developing my career further with the support of Chambers.
