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Pupil Testimonials

Anna Dutka

During my First Six months of pupillage, I shadowed several members of Chambers in a wide variety of criminal cases, from rape to drug importation, from murder to controlling and coercive behaviour. 5KBW have members who are specialists in a variety of areas of criminal law; it was through them that I soon grasped the level of dedication, meticulous attention to detail and flexibility necessary to succeed at the Criminal Bar. Amongst others, I shadowed my supervisor, Catherine Farrelly, who is a RASSO (Rape and Serious Sexual Offences) prosecutor, but also Defence Counsel Paul Jackson in a 3-week manslaughter trial. Through these opposing experiences and others, I learnt the skills required not only inside but outside a courtroom which are essential to become an effective barrister.

Outside court, I completed work for other members of Chambers. This enhanced my ability to draft a wide array of documents, from skeleton arguments, to advising upon evidence, to producing schedules and taking notes in conferences. As well as receiving detailed and encouraging feedback, I was able to introduce myself to many of the members of Chambers and put faces to names who I had yet to meet. Chambers also held regular advocacy sessions, culminating in my participation in a mock list of cases at Blackfriars Crown Court at the end of my First Six, both prosecuting and defending as if in reality. The experience was invaluable in preparing me for making the overall process of ‘getting on my feet’ in Second Six less daunting and in again providing useful feedback.

What stood out from even prior to my commencing pupillage was the friendliness and welcoming nature of members of 5KBW. This continued throughout my 18-month pupillage: no one was too busy to answer any question, however small, and everyone was willing to offer their guidance, help or support at any opportunity. Such assistance bolstered my own confidence when conducting my own cases in the Magistrates’ Court, Youth court and Crown Court in a variety of first appearances, sentences, trials, mentions and PTPHs.

I am in no doubt that through pupillage at 5KBW I received the best possible preparation for my own career at the Criminal Bar.

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Olivia Haggar

Throughout pupillage I had the opportunity to observe and work on a number of cases across the spectrum of criminal law, from theft in the Magistrates’ Court to murder at the Old Bailey.

During my first six, I was supervised by Charlotte Newell, who was defending in two multi-handed murder trials involving youth defendants. Following this I shadowed Natasha Wong QC and Paul Walker as they defended in an FGM trial at the Old Bailey. Thereafter I spent three weeks at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service with Sarah Forshaw QC, who was representing a doctor in regulatory proceedings.

Prior to getting ‘on my feet’, I shadowed junior tenants in the Magistrates’ Court, observing trials, first appearances and other hearings. This was great exposure to the reality of life at the junior bar; it’s fast-paced, immensely challenging but never dull.

I undertook advocacy training throughout the year, culminating in an advocacy exercise at Blackfriars Crown Court. The advice and encouragement I received increased my skill level and confidence.

In my second six I was in court every day, prosecuting and defending in the Magistrates’ Court, Youth Court and Crown Court. I was also led by Pauline Thompson in a multi-handed Trading Standards prosecution at Croydon Crown Court. In addition, I continued to complete written work for members of chambers, which included drafting advices, defence statements and skeleton arguments.

Pupillage at 5KBW was tough but hugely rewarding. There is an ethos of camaraderie within chambers and I was both challenged and encouraged throughout. I am sure the experience has stood me in good stead for a career at the Bar. 

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Rosheen Iyer

I spent much of my First Six shadowing my pupil supervisor, Catherine Farrelly, who was prosecuting a number of serious and complex cases both as a led junior and a junior alone, from cases of murder at the Old Bailey to a sophisticated and high-profile Conspiracy to Burgle at Kingston Crown Court. I also had the opportunity to shadow a number of other members of chambers, including Natasha Wong QC and Valeria Swift as they defended a case of murder.

During this time, I was trusted by the members of chambers to contribute to the case at hand. They always afforded plenty of time to discuss what I had learned and what I could take from my experiences with them to develop my own advocacy and build my practice when I eventually commenced Second Six.

I also had the opportunity to shadow junior tenants as they carried out work in the Magistrates’ Court, which gave me the first realistic idea of just how accelerated the pace of work is and how quickly you have to think on your feet when you are at the junior Bar. 

I regularly drafted advices, case summaries, skeleton arguments, and defence statements for members of chambers, as well as carrying out research for them. This continued throughout my pupillage. We also had regularly scheduled advocacy sessions, which continued to take place over Zoom during the pandemic. All of the tenants, both junior and senior, were willing to come and assist with these exercises to help us to improve.

I was luckily still able to participate in an advocacy exercise at Inner London Crown Court just before the pandemic hit. I conducted exercises before members of chambers in the manner that I would do when I commenced Second Six. Whilst initially a daunting experience (the public gallery was packed full!), my knowledge, confidence and advocacy were greatly improved by the constructive feedback and support I received from all members of chambers.

I spent every day in Court during my Second Six. This included prosecuting and defending in the Youth Court, Magistrates Court and the Crown Court, conducting everything from first appearances, to PTPHs, to trials. Each day was a new challenge, and my experiences in my First Six helped me to adapt quickly to the pace of life at the junior bar. I was also instructed as a prosecution noting junior with Anthony Orchard QC on two separate murder Trials where he acted as a QC alone, which was a demanding but very rewarding experience.

Pupillage at 5KBW is just that; demanding, but very rewarding. The culture of chambers is to ensure that both their members and their pupils feel respected and supported, which is an incredibly important feature of any pupillage. I have undoubtedly been given the very best training to commence my career at the Bar.

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