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Unconventional and invaluable pupillage advice from Abiodun Olatokun
I have been asked to provide some advice to pupils. I repeat the conventional wisdom about researching cases well before working on them, maintaining records of everything you’ve done and making time for self-care, but I have two recommendations beyond these age-old pearls of wisdom that I think are critical for success. If I had my time as a pupil again, I would spend less and move more.
My number 1 piece of advice is to remember that as a self-employed person you are now a business. Most of the payments that hit your bank account should not be treated as your money. Should you become a tenant (and at many sets before), you will likely have to pay back a portion of your fees in rent or in other contributions to chambers.
Similarly, costs may arise in the course of your practice that you must meet in order to provide services to clients. I spend inordinate amounts of money on printing and ink each month. I intend to take the Public Access course. When I appear as counsel in the High Court, I’ll need a wig and gown. That shopping list may cost me more than £1,200. As barristers, we are commonly paid in arrears, i.e. after services are provided, so saving our fees can be a necessary frugal habit to ensure that our businesses have sufficient cash flow to operate.
I was horrified to find out during pupillage that newly minted barristers are required to pay ‘tax on account’ in their second year of trading. This might mean that you pay 150% of your tax liability the year after you finish your pupillage. Every penny counts, and you should probably save those golden nuggets for HMRC.
My key takeaway is that you need to develop a new mentality about the fees returned from work at the Bar. They should be treated very differently from any PAYE salary you have received to date.
Before hitting the Bar full-time I was an active sportsman and fidgety teacher. In contrast to my previous endeavours, the Bar has been the most sedentary experience of my life, and I have moved significantly less since becoming an advocate. My advice is to find a way to work that encourages a full range of motion for the full length of your spine.
For most of my pupillage, I used a comfortable gaming chair and a standing desk converter. These were well worth the investment, and I was able to get my pupillage set to pay for them. Since becoming a tenant, I work from home much more often now and have several different (if quirky) working positions. For example, I squat on a slant board for short tasks of 3-4 minutes, making myself more efficient because I don’t allow myself to come out of the squat before I finish the task. I also lunge with one knee on a yoga mat to stretch my hamstrings and glutes. These positions enable me to get a high volume of stretching into my day in spite of the often lengthy research tasks and spates of writing that I must complete.
It’s not the most common advice, but finding ways to load and elongate inactive muscles will make you a less stressed, more effective and more engaged barrister.
Abiodun Olatokun FRSA is a barrister practising public law at the 36 Group. He is also a university lecturer, charity trustee and a campaigner for the rule of law.
I have been asked to provide some advice to pupils. I repeat the conventional wisdom about researching cases well before working on them, maintaining records of everything you’ve done and making time for self-care, but I have two recommendations beyond these age-old pearls of wisdom that I think are critical for success. If I had my time as a pupil again, I would spend less and move more.
My number 1 piece of advice is to remember that as a self-employed person you are now a business. Most of the payments that hit your bank account should not be treated as your money. Should you become a tenant (and at many sets before), you will likely have to pay back a portion of your fees in rent or in other contributions to chambers.
Similarly, costs may arise in the course of your practice that you must meet in order to provide services to clients. I spend inordinate amounts of money on printing and ink each month. I intend to take the Public Access course. When I appear as counsel in the High Court, I’ll need a wig and gown. That shopping list may cost me more than £1,200. As barristers, we are commonly paid in arrears, i.e. after services are provided, so saving our fees can be a necessary frugal habit to ensure that our businesses have sufficient cash flow to operate.
I was horrified to find out during pupillage that newly minted barristers are required to pay ‘tax on account’ in their second year of trading. This might mean that you pay 150% of your tax liability the year after you finish your pupillage. Every penny counts, and you should probably save those golden nuggets for HMRC.
My key takeaway is that you need to develop a new mentality about the fees returned from work at the Bar. They should be treated very differently from any PAYE salary you have received to date.
Before hitting the Bar full-time I was an active sportsman and fidgety teacher. In contrast to my previous endeavours, the Bar has been the most sedentary experience of my life, and I have moved significantly less since becoming an advocate. My advice is to find a way to work that encourages a full range of motion for the full length of your spine.
For most of my pupillage, I used a comfortable gaming chair and a standing desk converter. These were well worth the investment, and I was able to get my pupillage set to pay for them. Since becoming a tenant, I work from home much more often now and have several different (if quirky) working positions. For example, I squat on a slant board for short tasks of 3-4 minutes, making myself more efficient because I don’t allow myself to come out of the squat before I finish the task. I also lunge with one knee on a yoga mat to stretch my hamstrings and glutes. These positions enable me to get a high volume of stretching into my day in spite of the often lengthy research tasks and spates of writing that I must complete.
It’s not the most common advice, but finding ways to load and elongate inactive muscles will make you a less stressed, more effective and more engaged barrister.
Unconventional and invaluable pupillage advice from Abiodun Olatokun
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