Pupil Testimonials

Regardless of whom I am shadowing; they are always willing to answer any question—no matter how trivial—and offer advice whenever needed.
The transition from regular work to practice at the Bar can be daunting, but having such a supportive network around me has made the experience not only easier but also more enjoyable.
When applying for pupillage, I was particularly interested in practicing criminal law, but I also wanted to explore other practice areas. I have had the chance to observe a wide range of criminal cases in the Magistrates' Court, Crown Court, and the Court of Appeal. At 9KBW, I have been encouraged and supported in pursuing other areas of practice. Members of chambers undertake work in areas such as Extradition, Regulatory Law, and Animal Protection, and I have regularly been invited to shadow and gain valuable experience with them.

I have been made to feel welcome throughout the entire process and have been able to call upon any of my colleagues when I have felt overwhelmed or if there was anything I was unsure of. The advocacy I have seen from my supervisors has been not just educational but aspirational and this has been an experience where I feel like I have learned from some of the profession's brightest talents

I have also observed other areas of work beyond crime, including extradition, which has been interesting and made me think about what I want from my own practice beyond pupillage.  All members of chambers have been extremely friendly and welcoming and involved me in their discussions and thoughts on cases. I have learned more about the self-employed bar and life at 9KBW. There is a strong sense of family at 9KBW and this was extended to me

I saw a good range of Chambers’ practice in first six. The work varied from assisting tenants prosecuting a multi-handed firearms trial to following junior tenants who talked me through the practicalities of preparing for pre-trial hearings. I was exposed to regulatory work at the Nursing and Midwifery Council as well as extradition proceedings. It’s rare to be at a Set where (at least one of!) your Heads of Chambers will likely act as your supervisor during pupillage. Jonathan Mole was my first six supervisor, which helped me feel a part of a wider Chambers cohort from early on.

Being on your feet during second six is what you signed up for. The clerking team, led by Dave Fardon, will give you exceptional work, mostly in criminal law. Both cases in which I have prosecuted and defended have already featured in news articles. The clerks are switched on about overseeing your diary and development. My diary is challenging but manageable. I appear daily in Crown Courts and Magistrates’ Courts throughout London and Kent, both prosecuting and defending in person. The split is about 70% and 30% respectively.  Otherwise, I work from home once a week when I conduct video link hearings. I don’t tend to know what I have in my diary for tomorrow until I receive instructions in the late afternoon, around 5:30pm, which is a culture shock! Burnout is a real problem for young barristers and you have to be efficient and pragmatic about managing your time. Chambers is very reasonable about holiday leave. I took off significant time in my first six for reservist training and felt supported in doing so.
I would thoroughly recommend applying for the CPS Advocates Panel near the end of your first six. You can apply provided you are able to demonstrate advocacy and advisory experience, not necessarily criminal. Membership on the Panel unlocks more Crown Court advocacy opportunities. I have prosecuted in important cases involving testing legal issues, for instance sentencing for making indecent images of children and intentional strangulation. I am regularly instructed to prosecute in jury trials. Looking forward, Chambers provides support in applying for Grade 2 - General Crime - CPS Advocates Panel, which you can do near the end of pupillage.
A challenge of pupillage is that in court you’re mostly up against advocates who are much more experienced (and to be honest older). Sometimes it can be quite a lonely job given the criminal pupillage pool is small and dispersed. Chambers does an awful lot to mitigate this sector-wide problem. My supervisor gets back to me quickly if I have any issues with cases and his judgment calls are impeccable. The junior end of Chambers’ tenants are extremely capable and will answer any of the questions that you may feel sheepish about asking your supervisor.
In short, 9KBW is busy, friendly and fast-growing.

Yes, hard work, but stimulating and such a fast learning curve.

If I’m not in court listening to the advocacy of an experienced member of Chambers, I am helping to prepare cases for trial, drafting skeleton arguments and researching case law.

Members of Chambers, busy as they are, will always find the time to involve me, to explain and to give me a quiet, encouraging steer when I get it wrong.

Among the many things I have learnt is that this lot go the extra mile to welcome people wholeheartedly. 

I suspect it is the people around you that make pupillage a positive experience. At 9KBW people go out of their way to welcome a newbie barrister like me. I am very much looking forward to my second six.

Second Six

I started my second six nearly a month ago. I have been in court every day, prosecuting and defending in the Magistrates’ Court, Youth Court and Crown Court. I am currently preparing for a hearing in the Court of Appeal. 

What stands out is the ethos and character of Chambers. Whether I am mid-trial or about to appear for a mention, no one is ever too busy to have a quick telephone call to answer any questions I may have.

Seeing your name on a set of papers for the very first time is surreal. It can be daunting and I know that each day will be a new challenge. But with the support of every member of 9KBW – together with a set of experienced and industrious clerks – it has been a hugely enjoyable and rewarding experience so far.

Even though there are always things that will be stressful, especially with my second six rapidly approaching, I have found the support and guidance afforded to me at 9KBW has been so reassuring. Everyone has left me feeling confident and excited for the future. It has been a privilege to be able to watch, help and learn from fantastic advocates as I equip myself with techniques and experience before deploying them when on my feet. 

I cannot wait to hit the ground running in my second six, knowing that I have been able to learn as much as possible in my first six and that same support network remains in place. 

First Six is about being a sponge – absorb everything and steal as much knowledge from colleagues as you can. You’re expected to work, and work you will. You’ll get things wrong but that’s all part of the process. It can be challenging, but it just so happens that you’ll have the best time doing it. 

It’s a pretty good position to be in when you can say you’ve grown as a person and done it alongside the loveliest of people. The prospect of Second Six is daunting but when you have such a great group of people willing you to succeed, things don’t seem scary at all.

Even though there are always things that will be stressful, especially with my second six rapidly approaching, I have found the support and guidance afforded to me at 9KBW has been so reassuring. Everyone has left me feeling confident and excited for the future. It has been a privilege to be able to watch, help and learn from fantastic advocates as I equip myself with techniques and experience before deploying them when on my feet. 

I cannot wait to hit the ground running in my second six, knowing that I have been able to learn as much as possible in my first six and that same support network remains in place.