Express Chambers

A pupillage here keeps extra hours to a minimum, and Express encourages a good work-life balance by offering its members alternating three and two days of home working each week.

The pupillage programme itself has been designed to make sure wannabe barristers get hands-on experience from day one. Pupils are mentored by an in-house team of barristers and receive practical learning through a tailored learning management system and in-house trainers. New recruits even have an initial discussion with their supervisor to identify personal objectives and specific training before pupillage has begun, so that each course can be tailored to the individual. During the first six, pupils shadow their supervisors as well as other barristers and advocates, and may even undertake their own advocacy at this point, in accordance with the limited rights of audience afforded to a solicitor’s clerk. Throughout the second six, all pupils take on their own work and can expect to be in court most days, gaining practical advocacy experience. Pupils are taken on with an eye towards joining Express’ advocacy department at the end of their training.

A passion for personal injury and clinical negligence law should be top of the list for anyone considering a pupillage here, but high-quality advocacy skills, resilience, organisational prowess, integrity, initiative and the ability to work under pressure are all highly valued at Express too. Temperament, client care, analytical ability and a commitment to a career at the employed bar are the other elements they’ll be looking out for, so make sure that toolkit is firmly on display when you apply.

Speaking of which, those interested in a career here will be competing for four pupillage places. All applications are handled through the Pupillage Gateway and involve three elements. First, you’ll need to complete an application form detailing your educational and employment background, alongside answering some questions about your motivations, industry knowledge and advocacy experience. Next is a face-to-face interview consisting of an advocacy exercise and some competency and strength-based questions. The interviewers will also assess your skill with situational judgement questions. Pass all that, and you could be on the ‘express’ track to the bar.

Please describe your pupillage experience

The depth of personal injury work at Express and the exposure to it as a pupil barrister was enticing. I was also attracted to the idea of being on my feet in my first six as well as having a team to provide support and encouragement.

In my first six I shadowed barristers as well as conducting hearings as a solicitor’s clerk. These cases usually consisted of Infant Approval Hearings, Application Hearings, Case Management Conferences and Directions or Allocation hearings. This element of pupillage stands out from many other providers as it allows pupils the opportunity to undertake their own hearings from day one. I found this to be really useful as my week was split between shadowing Barristers and undertaking my own hearings. This allowed me to build up my confidence in court, understand what was needed of me in terms of preparation and submissions and ultimately prepared me very well for my second six.

During my second six, I undertook more complex interlocutory hearings, CCMCs, Fast Track trials and detailed and summary assessments of costs (amongst other things!). Throughout my pupillage I also undertook drafting work which consisted of Statements of Case as well as advice on both prospects and quantum. Completing these throughout pupillage enabled me to develop skills of assessing papers swiftly, quantifying cases and considering the recoverability of special damages.

I received excellent supervision throughout pupillage and equally now as a Barrister. This consists of diarised meetings with my supervisor to discuss my caseload, and any concerns I might have. However, Express operates a very open-door policy so I was encouraged to contact my supervisor or any of the other barristers with any queries or concerns as and when they arose. We also had various official pupillage review meetings where we would discuss which hearings I had shadowed or attended and if there was anything I felt I needed more exposure or experience in.

The transition from pupil to employed barrister

The transition from pupil to employed barrister was seamless. The main differences were the title, the pay rise and the ability to stand on my own two feet.

The best thing about Express’ pupillage programme is that it is very well catered to prepare you to work as a barrister. By the time September came, I felt ready to conduct hearings as a barrister in my own right. As I had been conducting hearings throughout the 12 months of pupillage with a gradual increase in complexity, value of cases and length of hearing, it felt natural to continue doing so after qualifying.

In terms of supervision, my pupil supervisor still acts as my supervisor as and when I require his assistance. Whilst, the framework of pupillage is no longer in place, I still have regular calls with my supervisor to discuss any problematic or complex hearings and to have general chats about how I’m doing or for any advice.

What is your practice like now?

Typically, I am in court most of the week with some remote hearings via MS teams and CVP or by telephone and some in person. Currently, I undertake 1-2 Fast Track trials a week accompanied by various other hearings such as Stage 3 hearings, disposals, costs hearings or application hearings.

I also undertake drafting work, typically completing 1-2 pieces of advice per week, usually on quantum or prospects. As we are employed within the firm, I will often be asked to advise on a case early on in the litigation as to whether the solicitors should explore settlement or progress the case to trial. I commonly deliver this advice via a conference with the instructing solicitor and/or the client.

In terms of work/life balance, as a barrister there is sometimes no escaping doing work in the evenings or early mornings. However, our dedicated clerking team try to minimise this risk and ensure everyone has time to complete their tasks without working beyond our set hours. There is also the opportunity to claim back time off in lieu if you have had to work far beyond your contracted hours.

What is the culture of the firm?

Our firm’s culture is unlike any others that I know of. We are a very close-knit team who support each other through everything. Whenever I have an issue with a case or something I haven’t dealt with before, there is always someone free to have a chat and go through it with me. Similarly, all successes are celebrated, and we have a very active group chat where we all receive support, encouragement and congratulations for good results. We have regular team meetings where everyone in the Advocacy Department (all clerks, advocates, pupils and Barristers) come together to discuss any updates, important case results and discuss how we are all doing.

The special feature of working as an employed barrister within a law firm is that we always have an open line of communication with our instructing fee earners. This means in a practical sense if you have a query or suggestion or need to clarify instructions, this can be actioned by simply sending a Teams message, an email or picking up the phone.

As we are employed by a law firm, we regularly attend the big Express office in Manchester. This allows everyone the chance to catch up and assist each other on an informal basis. There are various events and talks that take place at the office which we can also attend.

As a team we also have a very fun social calendar — this past year this has consisted of pupil welcome lunch, bowling, darts, attending the races, a summer party, Christmas parties (one team party, one whole firm party) and drinks evenings.

Top tips for those wanting to become a barrister/secure a pupillage at your firm

• Get as much experience as you can — whether that be mini pupillages, marshalling, mooting competitions, vacation schemes or working as an advocate. The more oral advocacy, the better.

• Leave yourself enough time for applications — check them and read through them very carefully.

• Prepare well for your interview — re-read your application, look into any areas of law you have mentioned and be ready to speak about your experiences.

• Understand the benefits and lifestyle of the employed bar and decide if that’s what will suit you.