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As somebody who undertook pupillage on the Wales and Chester Circuit 30 years ago and who has been a member ever since, the word I choose to sum up Circuit life here is ‘belonging’. No matter where you are from, when you arrive as a pupil here you will feel that sense of belonging to Circuit which I have experienced throughout my career. While much has changed since I arrived as a pupil in Cardiff in 1994, that sense of belonging to a team that has got your back right from Day 1 has remained. Then and now, pupils who arrive on Circuit will immediately be welcomed into a world of support where your colleagues will want you to thrive.
We may be the smallest of the Circuits but this is no disadvantage – the best things so often come in small packages and pupillage here is a great example of that. Because of the relatively small cohort of pupils in every intake, you will very quickly get to know your co-pupils on Circuit and will have a ready-made gang of people sharing the unique challenges of pupillage.
That sense of belonging is reinforced by the Circuit Education Programme for pupils and new tenants. Training is held on Circuit with annual events at which you will be trained together as a cohort by more experienced members of Circuit. This has proved to be priceless not only from the point of education but also in ensuring that pupils get to know more senior members of Circuit who can be a useful point of contact or advice should the need arise.
While the guidance of your pupil supervisors will be at the heart of your pupillage, you will find on Circuit deep sources of professional support outside that relationship. That will include members of your own chambers but also, importantly, the wider Bar on Circuit across the different chambers and different areas of practice. The connections and friendships that you forge during the early years will remain with you over your career. In a job which can be mentally exhausting at times, the support you will find in these relationships is immensely valuable.
Just because we are a small Circuit does not mean that your career will be limited. Experience shows that the opportunities are wide ranging and the possibilities for your future career are bright and exciting. History demonstrates that members of Circuit have achieved the highest levels of success as advocates across all practice areas in the profession and former members of Circuit are well represented in the most senior ranks of the judiciary.
One of the benefits of pupillage on Circuit is that you can expect to be exposed to challenging and interesting work very early on in your careers. In my own area of practice, I regularly see second six pupils and first year tenants engaged in Crown Court work including jury trials. Pupils can expect similar levels of work in other practice areas too. If that sounds nerve wracking, then there is no need to fear because you will have your Circuit support team around you to get you through new challenges. I often observe that support in the robing rooms on Circuit where pupils and young tenants are freely given guidance and support from more experienced barristers – just as it should be.
But of course it isn’t all work! Circuit enjoys a vibrant social scene – another benefit of our size is that you get to know your fellow Circuiteers quickly. Circuit organises a range of social events and the informal social scene is friendly and active.
And finally, the Wales and Chester Circuit is just a great place to live, whatever your call and whatever work you do. We have it all – cities, history, rich culture, lakes and mountains, beaches and so much more. Just keep a careful eye out for the dragons…
Caroline Rees KC is Leader of the Wales and Chester Circuit, the first woman to be elected to the role. Caroline practises from 30 Park Place, Cardiff, in crime, both prosecuting and defending in the highest profile cases on Circuit. She sits as a Crown Court Recorder.
As somebody who undertook pupillage on the Wales and Chester Circuit 30 years ago and who has been a member ever since, the word I choose to sum up Circuit life here is ‘belonging’. No matter where you are from, when you arrive as a pupil here you will feel that sense of belonging to Circuit which I have experienced throughout my career. While much has changed since I arrived as a pupil in Cardiff in 1994, that sense of belonging to a team that has got your back right from Day 1 has remained. Then and now, pupils who arrive on Circuit will immediately be welcomed into a world of support where your colleagues will want you to thrive.
We may be the smallest of the Circuits but this is no disadvantage – the best things so often come in small packages and pupillage here is a great example of that. Because of the relatively small cohort of pupils in every intake, you will very quickly get to know your co-pupils on Circuit and will have a ready-made gang of people sharing the unique challenges of pupillage.
That sense of belonging is reinforced by the Circuit Education Programme for pupils and new tenants. Training is held on Circuit with annual events at which you will be trained together as a cohort by more experienced members of Circuit. This has proved to be priceless not only from the point of education but also in ensuring that pupils get to know more senior members of Circuit who can be a useful point of contact or advice should the need arise.
While the guidance of your pupil supervisors will be at the heart of your pupillage, you will find on Circuit deep sources of professional support outside that relationship. That will include members of your own chambers but also, importantly, the wider Bar on Circuit across the different chambers and different areas of practice. The connections and friendships that you forge during the early years will remain with you over your career. In a job which can be mentally exhausting at times, the support you will find in these relationships is immensely valuable.
Just because we are a small Circuit does not mean that your career will be limited. Experience shows that the opportunities are wide ranging and the possibilities for your future career are bright and exciting. History demonstrates that members of Circuit have achieved the highest levels of success as advocates across all practice areas in the profession and former members of Circuit are well represented in the most senior ranks of the judiciary.
One of the benefits of pupillage on Circuit is that you can expect to be exposed to challenging and interesting work very early on in your careers. In my own area of practice, I regularly see second six pupils and first year tenants engaged in Crown Court work including jury trials. Pupils can expect similar levels of work in other practice areas too. If that sounds nerve wracking, then there is no need to fear because you will have your Circuit support team around you to get you through new challenges. I often observe that support in the robing rooms on Circuit where pupils and young tenants are freely given guidance and support from more experienced barristers – just as it should be.
But of course it isn’t all work! Circuit enjoys a vibrant social scene – another benefit of our size is that you get to know your fellow Circuiteers quickly. Circuit organises a range of social events and the informal social scene is friendly and active.
And finally, the Wales and Chester Circuit is just a great place to live, whatever your call and whatever work you do. We have it all – cities, history, rich culture, lakes and mountains, beaches and so much more. Just keep a careful eye out for the dragons…
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Developing a tech start-up demands a different definition of excellence to the Bar, says Saara Idelbi. The co-creator of Advocatr on entrepreneurship, AI advocacy training, and matching the thrill of a killer cross-examination
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
