Job Title:
Pupil Barrister
Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months)
National: £27,223 - £28,613
Grade:
EO
Salary range: London: £31,169 - £32,760
Location:
Manchester, London
Directorate/Team: Public Defender Service
The post is supported by the Ministry of Justice flexible working policy and
Working Pattern: includes colleagues who work flexibly, remotely, part time or as part of a
job share, etc.
The Public Defender Service
The Public Defender Service (PDS) is a department of the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) that operates
alongside private providers delivering a full range of high quality, value for money services within
the criminal defence market.
As a result of its participation in the criminal justice system, the PDS contributes credible and
expert advice to the government on service and policy development which affects the sector and
acts as a test-bed for innovation and quality improvements.
PDS operations provide a critical safeguard against market failure across England and Wales,
thereby ensuring the LAA fulfils its statutory responsibility to ensure continuous access to justice.
Key purpose of this role
As a Pupil Barrister, you will undertake a programme of practical training required to become a
fully qualified practicing barrister.
Job Summary
Successful candidates will be required to complete their Circuitor Inn advocacy training course and
the Bar Standards Board professional ethics course. At the end of the period of work-based
pupillage you must be for signed off as having the knowledge, skills and attributes a barrister
needs.
Key Responsibilities:
During the first six months (Non-Practicing Period) you will be required to:
• Carry out research for your pupil supervisor and other members of the Team.
• Undertake written work for your pupil supervisor and other members of the Team.
• Attend conferences and consultations with your pupil supervisor and other members of the
Team.
• Undertake written work as instructed by providers or on behalf of your pupil supervisor and
other members of the Team.
• Assisting and supporting your pupil supervisor and other members of the Team in the
preparation of cases for court or tribunals.
• Accompanying your pupil supervisor and other members of the Team to courts, tribunals or
conferences to gain experience by observing and assisting them.
During the second six months (Non-Practicing Period) you will be required to:
• Meet providers and clients and conduct cases before courts and tribunals Undertake written
work for your pupil supervisor and other members of the Team.
• Research the law and cases.
• Read witness statements, reports and all case papers.
• Offer legal advice and give opinions as required.
• Negotiate and conduct discussions out of court.
• Prepare legal arguments and documents for court hearings.
• Question witnesses and make submissions to judges and juries.
• Report back to providers orally and in writing the results of case and any issues that might
need to be addressed.
Generally, you will be required to:
• Comply with the duties of pupils as set out in section 801 of the Code of Conduct for the
Bar and Part V of the Consolidated Regulations.
• Register your pupillage with the Bar Standards Board prior to commencement.
• Comply with the requirements of the Pupillage Handbook.
• Complete the pupillage checklist throughout your pupillage, and particularly at the end of
the first and second six months of pupillage.
• Submit certificates of satisfactory completion of your pupillage and completed checklists to
the Bar Standards Board.
• Maintain a portfolio of work and a work diary.
• Complete compulsory advocacy training and the Practice Management Course.
• Plan and review pupillage activities with supervisors.
• Arrange and attend professional courses and activities as may be prescribed by the Bar
Council and your Inn of Court.
• Maintain detailed records of all work carried out.
• Any duties as reasonably required by your pupil supervisor.
• Undertaking Free Representation Unit casework and related duties as reasonably required.
Essential Criteria:
• Legal knowledge including legal principles, court procedures and government regulations.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Sensitive listening skills.
• Analytical thinking skills.
• To be thorough and pay attention to detail.
• The ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning.
• The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure.
• Skills to be able to present arguments and submissions persuasively.
Essential Qualifications:
You will need to provide clear documentary evidence that you have:
• satisfactorily completed the academic and vocational training components;
• are a member of an Inn;
• have registered your pupillage with the Bar Standards Board (Authorisation Framework).
Your benefits with us
• Upon successful completion of the training programme, you will be a fully qualified barrister.
Our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to diversity and inclusion and we positively promote flexible working.
We will consider all applications on merit regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual
orientation, socio-economic background, religion, ethnicity, preferred working pattern and, except
for exceptional circumstances, your working location.
As a Disability Confident organisation, we will offer a guaranteed interview to candidates with a
disability who meet the essential criteria for this role. Under the Equality Act 2010 a disability is
defined as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect
on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities which has lasted, or is expected to last, at
least 12 months.
Please indicate on your application if any reasonable adjustments are required, and the recruiting
manager will be in touch to make the necessary arrangements.
Assessment approach
Application and Assessment Process
Recruitment will follow the Success Profiles Framework
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles
Technical
To be eligible for this role, you must provide evidence that you have completed the above
essential qualifications.
Behaviours
You will be required to submit your CV and a statement of suitability for the role and
demonstrate the following forms of behaviour at level 2 - EO:
Communicating and Influencing
You will be expected to be able to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
You should take time to consider the best communication channel to use for the audience,
including making the best of digital resources and considering value for money. You will be able
to interact with others in an enthusiastic way, expressing ideas clearly and with respect for
others, and listening to and appreciating different ideas, views and ways of working. You should
respond constructively and objectively to comments and questions and be equipped to handle
challenging conversations with confidence and sensitivity.
Making Effective Decisions
You will consistently take responsibility for making effective and fair decisions, in a timely
manner. You will be able analyse and research further information to support your decisions.
You will talk to the relevant people to get appropriate advice and information when you are
unsure how to proceed. You always explain how decisions have been reached in a clear and
concise way, both verbally and in writing.
Delivering at Pace
You will regularly review the success of activities in the team to identify barriers to progress or
challenging objectives, and will identify who and what is required to ensure success, setting
clear goals and areas of responsibility and continually assess workloads, considering individual
needs. You will follow relevant policies, procedures and legislation to complete your work, and
will ensure that colleagues have the correct tools and resources available to them to do their
jobs. You will have a positive and focused attitude to achieving outcomes, despite any setbacks,
and will regularly check performance against objectives, making suggestions for improvement or
taking corrective action where necessary. You will ensure that colleagues are supported where
tasks are challenging. You will demonstrate the consideration of all options, costs, risks, and
wider implications, including the diverse needs of end users and any accessibility requirements.
Interview / assessment Process
If you are successful at the application stage, you will be invited to an interview via Microsoft
Teams. At the interview, we will assess the behaviours listed above as well as technical skills and
experience applicable to the role.
If you would like more information on this opportunity, please contact
pds.businessteam@justice.gov.uk