Emma Talbot works for Advocate as the Public and Administrative Law Caseworker. She also works as a legal assistant to Mark Symes, barrister at Garden Court Chambers, and volunteers as a legal observer at protests and demonstrations. This year, Emma obtained pupillage at One Pump Court to start in October 2025.
After four years of trying, I got pupillage this year. It is sometimes said that one of the hardest parts of the process is converting an application into an interview; application writing is certainly a skill that takes some time to learn. Below, I set out some practical tips for approaching the application form, based on my experience of applying over the years.
In terms of a timeline, you can start browsing the Gateway from 25 November 2024. Applications open on 2 January 2025 and the deadline to apply is 6 February 2025. You have just five weeks to write and submit your applications, which brings me to my first tip…
Prepare for the work experience section
While the chambers-specific questions can vary year on year, the form will always require you to give details of your work experience. It is therefore wise to prepare this section ahead of the Gateway opening.
When writing about your legal work experience, make sure to demonstrate how it has furthered your desire to go to the Bar. Brevity is your friend in this section – do not feel like you must reach the word count. I recommend writing two subheadings: ‘what I did’ and ‘what I learnt’, with two bullet points under each.
When writing about non-legal work experience, try to demonstrate how the role has helped you develop a skill that will be invaluable for your career at the Bar.
Plan your strategy
Before the Gateway opens, have an idea of the sets you want to apply to. Split them into three categories:
- Tier 1 sets – your main priority sets. They practise in your areas of interest, you align with their values, and you aspire to work alongside their barristers. These are your ‘dream sets’.
- Tier 2 sets – you would be happy to do pupillage here, but these sets may be less competitive because they are not the biggest or most well-known in your desired area of practice.
- Tier 3 sets – you would take pupillage if offered, but you would be making a compromise – be it location, area of law, or type of work.
This list of sets will inform the order in which you write your applications. Be absolutely sure where your priorities lie and which are your tier 1 sets – you do not want to leave it to the last week to panic-write your application to your favourite chambers.
Check the mark scheme
Before you start writing, find out if chambers have published their mark scheme. This is a blueprint for what your application should look like. Look at it before you start writing and, before submitting, revisit the mark scheme to ensure you have given at least one example of how you meet each of the marking criteria.
Formatting and bullet points
Do not shy away from using bullet points, numbered bullets and subheadings. When used appropriately, the person reading your form will find it easier to understand.
Make your application specific to you and the chambers
This is the best piece of advice I was ever given. Every sentence on your application form should be so tailored to your experience, and to the chambers, that it cannot be used on anyone else’s application form.
Instead of saying, ‘I am interested in immigration law and chambers is known for its immigration practice’, you say, ‘my experience volunteering at a law centre as an immigration advisor sparked my interest in immigration law. Now, working as a legal assistant to an immigration barrister, I have gained experience in drafting grounds for judicial review and I know that this is something chambers particularly excels in, having been involved with [insert example of seminal case law].’
The power of STAR
The STAR technique (situation, task, action, result) is the best tool in your arsenal. It is an excellent way to maintain good structure and you should use it whenever you are answering a competency-based question. As a general rule, I suggest summarising the ‘situation’ and ‘task’ fairly briefly and putting more focus on the ‘action’ and ‘result’.
Proof read, and proof read again
I was always told that once you have finished an application you should leave it for a couple of days before submitting it. Reading it over with ‘fresh’ eyes will help you to identify mistakes you may have missed before.
Before submitting every application, I also suggest asking someone to proof read it. Even better if it can be read a second time by someone else.
The number of applications your friend has submitted is not a barometer of success
Try not to get bogged down in comparing how many applications other people seem to be doing. If someone appears to be steaming through their applications, they are unlikely to be of a high quality and they might just be copy and pasting from one application to the next. It is clearly better to send three excellent and high-quality applications, than it is to submit 10 that will not get past the paper sift!
Look after yourself
Lastly, I think it is important to acknowledge that the application period (and the whole of pupillage season!) can be an overwhelming and intense process. Be kind to yourself, try not to get burnt out, and reach out for help if you need it. The Bar is a wonderful place and people are always willing to help – make use of that.