*/
‘Different, but not impossible,’ writes Shaylla Shabbir - seven lessons learnt.
Pupillage in lockdown are two words I would never have expected to see in the same sentence. However, here we find ourselves.
In March 2020, I was approached by Gordon Exall to write a short piece on pupillage in lockdown for his blog, Civil Litigation Brief. Following its publication, I was inundated with messages of support from juniors and seniors from across the profession. What I can say with absolute certainty is that a work from home pupillage is different, but not impossible. These are the lessons learnt from COVID to take forward from a pupil’s perspective, five months on.
This is non-negotiable. It does not matter what area of law you’re specialising in. This will make life a whole lot easier. Virtual pupillages mean that you are not going to have access to paper files. All your instructions will be sent via email. Staring blankly at one screen or a small 13 inch laptop, will not be easy and can be very painful for the eyes.
If your phone network has a mind of its own then a sturdy home telephone line will be necessary. In my first six, I was listening in to conferences, and hearings. In my second six, I am conducting my own hearings and conferences. The last thing you want is the judge becoming frustrated with your voice breaking up. I learnt the hard way. After being cut off from an application hearing, and repeatedly being told by a judge ‘Miss Shabbir, I can’t hear you!’. Needless to say, my next Amazon Prime delivery was a landline phone.
Emphasis on the word ‘wireless’. The ability to move around, unrestricted is really handy. I also find the noise reduction capabilities in these headphones a real plus too. Virtual meetings will feel more natural, than having tangled wires all around. Just make sure you keep them charged.
The truth is that paper instructions are likely to be a thing of the past. Find yourself a PDF programme you enjoy, you understand and one that delivers for your needs. I recently introduced my supervisor to Foxit PDF software, and he’s not stopped praising it since then.
Working from home can make it difficult to stop working. ‘I’ll just finish this off’, soon turns to 11pm. I am guilty of this. It is very easy to get distracted with the time. I purchased myself an analogue clock that was placed at the centre of my desk and set 90 minutes interval alarms. After 90 minutes, I would be sure to stand up, have a stretch, make a drink, or just jump on a treadmill for five minutes. It will help with concentration and help you monitor your time. Also, working from home is just that. It is not changing your home into work. A balance is important to maintain productivity and for your wellbeing.
Court hearings are being held via platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Skype. It is vital to become familiar with these in advance and not an hour before a hearing. It will save you time, and embarrassment.
Asking for help is not always easy. This is especially the case when you are not able to turn around to ask a colleague a quick question. One thing that I am incredibly proud of is how the profession has come together during this time. Pick up the phone. Drop a text or just call. Someone will be there to help.
As we start living this new normal at the Bar, more lessons will be learnt. It is a novel situation we find ourselves in and one which is likely to (and in fact has) changed the profession. All we can do is adapt the best we can. If any prospective pupils would like to discuss their concerns, feel free to contact me at: sshabbir@kingschambers.com or @ShayllaShabbir.
Pupillage in lockdown are two words I would never have expected to see in the same sentence. However, here we find ourselves.
In March 2020, I was approached by Gordon Exall to write a short piece on pupillage in lockdown for his blog, Civil Litigation Brief. Following its publication, I was inundated with messages of support from juniors and seniors from across the profession. What I can say with absolute certainty is that a work from home pupillage is different, but not impossible. These are the lessons learnt from COVID to take forward from a pupil’s perspective, five months on.
This is non-negotiable. It does not matter what area of law you’re specialising in. This will make life a whole lot easier. Virtual pupillages mean that you are not going to have access to paper files. All your instructions will be sent via email. Staring blankly at one screen or a small 13 inch laptop, will not be easy and can be very painful for the eyes.
If your phone network has a mind of its own then a sturdy home telephone line will be necessary. In my first six, I was listening in to conferences, and hearings. In my second six, I am conducting my own hearings and conferences. The last thing you want is the judge becoming frustrated with your voice breaking up. I learnt the hard way. After being cut off from an application hearing, and repeatedly being told by a judge ‘Miss Shabbir, I can’t hear you!’. Needless to say, my next Amazon Prime delivery was a landline phone.
Emphasis on the word ‘wireless’. The ability to move around, unrestricted is really handy. I also find the noise reduction capabilities in these headphones a real plus too. Virtual meetings will feel more natural, than having tangled wires all around. Just make sure you keep them charged.
The truth is that paper instructions are likely to be a thing of the past. Find yourself a PDF programme you enjoy, you understand and one that delivers for your needs. I recently introduced my supervisor to Foxit PDF software, and he’s not stopped praising it since then.
Working from home can make it difficult to stop working. ‘I’ll just finish this off’, soon turns to 11pm. I am guilty of this. It is very easy to get distracted with the time. I purchased myself an analogue clock that was placed at the centre of my desk and set 90 minutes interval alarms. After 90 minutes, I would be sure to stand up, have a stretch, make a drink, or just jump on a treadmill for five minutes. It will help with concentration and help you monitor your time. Also, working from home is just that. It is not changing your home into work. A balance is important to maintain productivity and for your wellbeing.
Court hearings are being held via platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Skype. It is vital to become familiar with these in advance and not an hour before a hearing. It will save you time, and embarrassment.
Asking for help is not always easy. This is especially the case when you are not able to turn around to ask a colleague a quick question. One thing that I am incredibly proud of is how the profession has come together during this time. Pick up the phone. Drop a text or just call. Someone will be there to help.
As we start living this new normal at the Bar, more lessons will be learnt. It is a novel situation we find ourselves in and one which is likely to (and in fact has) changed the profession. All we can do is adapt the best we can. If any prospective pupils would like to discuss their concerns, feel free to contact me at: sshabbir@kingschambers.com or @ShayllaShabbir.
‘Different, but not impossible,’ writes Shaylla Shabbir - seven lessons learnt.
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
Giovanni D’Avola explores the issue of over-citation of unreported cases and the ‘added value’ elements of a law report
Louise Crush explores the key points and opportunities for tax efficiency
Westgate Wealth Management Ltd is a Partner Practice of FTSE 100 company St. James’s Place – one of the top UK Wealth Management firms. We offer a holistic service of distinct quality, integrity, and excellence with the aim to build a professional and valuable relationship with our clients, helping to provide them with security now, prosperity in the future and the highest standard of service in all of our dealings.
Is now the time to review your financial position, having reached a career milestone? asks Louise Crush
If you were to host a dinner party with 10 guests, and you asked them to explain what financial planning is and how it differs to financial advice, you’d receive 10 different answers. The variety of answers highlights the ongoing need to clarify and promote the value of financial planning.
On the 50th anniversary of the pub bombings, even now it is still unresolved. Chris Mullin, the journalist and former MP who led the campaign leading to the release of the Birmingham Six, looks back at events
One year on and the Court of Appeal fails to quash convictions after receiving evidence of racism in the jury room, and there are still no revisions to the Equal Treatment Bench Book , says Keir Monteith KC
Most of us like to think we would risk our career in order to meet our ethical obligations, so why have so many lawyers failed to hold the line? asks Flora Page
If your current practice environment is bringing you down, seek a new one. However daunting the change, it will be worth it, says Anon Barrister
A cultural life and times
