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Kieron Spoors and Stella Wojdyla have recently started their second six of their 12-month pupillage at 5 Essex Chambers which started in September 2024. They have had the opportunity to gain exposure to Chambers’ core practice areas over the first six months and are now handling their own cases in court. Their answers to our Q&A below will give readers, and in particular any aspiring pupils, a view into the busy life as a pupil at 5 Essex Chambers.
Kieron: There were two features of pupillage at 5 Essex Chambers that stood out to me. The first was the advocacy opportunities available from the start of your second six. This can range from the staples of junior junior life, such as civil behavioural orders in the Magistrates’ Courts, to applications for police disclosure in the Family Courts or small claims hearings in the County Courts. The second feature was the supportive and collegiate environment at Chambers, such as their open-door policy. Finding a Chambers where you can see yourself thriving with the support of colleagues is essential. This is the case with 5 Essex Chambers.
Stella: I was also drawn to the opportunity to gain advocacy experience early on while building a specialised civil practice. Beyond that, one of my main reasons for applying was Chambers’ inclusive culture and particularly its dedication to uplifting women at the Bar. This is apparent in the sheer number of highly successful female barristers in Chambers, but I also noticed it when speaking to members of Chambers about their personal experiences. Now that I am half-way through pupillage, I am happy to say that the support I’ve received from Chambers has gone far beyond what I could have expected.
Kieron: The joy of pupillage, which I am sure will be true throughout my time at the Bar, is that no two days or weeks are the same. One day, I will be in Chambers doing work for my supervisors or members of Chambers, which has recently included working on an interesting advice for a data protection claim. Then, a few days later, I travelled to Maidstone Magistrates’ Court for a stalking protection order application. In your second six, you can find yourself in court a few times a week, traversing around London, the surrounding counties or even further afield. You will also be doing LPP sifts, which can be done remotely or on location at, for example, a police station. What is evident is that there are various and exciting opportunities for pupils at Chambers.
Stella: Every day is different, which is exactly what makes this profession so rewarding. Having said that, my mornings usually start early: I have a 1.5-hour commute into London and some days I also drop my son off at pre-school. I make the most of my travel time by preparing for upcoming cases. If I’m in court that morning, I usually arrive around 9am to speak with the officer first – most of my cases involve civil applications on behalf of the police. After that, my morning is spent negotiating with opposing counsel, ensuring the listing officer is aware of my matter and ultimately making the application in court. When I return to Chambers, I update my client, prepare for the next hearing, or work on tasks for my supervisor or other members of Chambers. At the end of the workday, I shift my focus to family life – collecting my son from pre-school if it’s my turn, heading home, and juggling dinner, chores and bedtime. Completing pupillage as a parent is undoubtedly a balancing act, and there are moments when it feels impossible to get everything right. Yet, sharing in the evening how my day in court went and how excited I am about my next case makes it all worth it.
Kieron: Mine must be early on in my second six. On two consecutive days, I had applications for civil behavioural orders. The two days were very different, but I remember leaving court on both occasions feeling proud of myself for doing it. It has taken many years to reach this point where I have my own cases, and there I was, navigating the magistrates’ court and making submissions before a district judge or bench of magistrates. I know there will be good and not-so-good days at the Bar, but I can look back at those two days as a reminder that I can do it.
Stella: It was my first case too. Walking out of court knowing that I am finally doing what I have been training and preparing to do for so long – and that I actually enjoy it – is a feeling I don’t think I will forget.
Kieron: The biggest challenge I have found, especially with being on my feet, was learning to manage it all. You will have work for your supervisors, other members of Chambers and eventually your cases alongside your Inn’s advocacy course and the BSB ethics exam. It can be a lot, and this reflects the busy nature of life at the Bar. I am learning about being organised and communicating with supervisors and clerks whenever I feel it is all getting a bit much. The good news is that there’s a lot of support from Chambers, and I have received support also from my family and friends, including at my Inn of Court, Gray’s Inn.
Stella: My biggest challenge has been to manage the demands of pupillage and parenthood. Pupillage is a marathon, not a sprint. At the end of the day, it is a year-long interview, which is exhausting in even the most supportive environment (as 5 Essex certainly is!). The fact that I’m running a separate marathon of kids’ activities on the weekend may mean that I get to disconnect from the job, but it also means that I have less time to catch up on work or recharge. I have had to learn – and am still learning – how to manage my reserves so that I can be fully present and at my best both at work and at home. I’m also privileged to have some very supportive and special people in my life who have made it possible for me to take on this challenge.
Kieron: One of the best pieces of advice I have received was to always do a chronology for your cases. This is especially the case where there are dates and events to keep track of. It is all about knowing the foundations of your cases – who are the parties, what are the causes of action, what is the timeline of events – before drafting an advice or other pieces of work. It will also help you when needing to recall details at your hearing.
Stella: The best piece of advice I received is to view every piece of writing or speech – whether it is an email, skeleton argument, negotiations with opposing counsel or submissions in court – as a form of advocacy. Always consider what you want to achieve, who your audience is and how you can use your language most powerfully to advocate on behalf of your client. Every word should have purpose and drive your argument forward.
Kieron: Pupils receive a lot of support. This includes pupil talks given by members of chambers on topics such as behavioural orders and LPP sifts. There is the ‘Baby Juniors’ WhatsApp group where pupils and juniors frequently post questions, allowing someone who has faced similar issues to assist. These examples reflect the supportive environment at Chambers, characterised by an open-door policy and the approachability of members, from juniors to KCs, as well as the amazing clerks and staff who carry out such essential work.
Stella: I will add that the feedback we receive from supervisors and other members of chambers has been invaluable. Members of chambers have been incredibly generous with their time to make sure we learn the most from each piece of written work we submit. Beyond that, I have found it encouraging to see how my supervisors navigate the daily demands of the profession. Whether dealing with vulnerable litigants, confronting ethical dilemmas, making a complex legal argument, staying calm under pressure, or balancing work with caring responsibilities – I have had the benefit of seeing first-hand how these challenges can be navigated.
Kieron: Two pieces of advice. First, pupils (and barristers) should always remain curious and enthusiastic about learning from the cases they observe or the work and hearings they undertake. Pupillage is a year for trying new things, so do not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Second, and most importantly, it is essential to take care of yourself. Pupillage is enjoyable and rewarding, but it can also be quite challenging. You have come this far, so pupillage and tenancy are certainly achievable. Just remember that you do not have to do it on your own.
Stella: First, give yourself grace and know that you are doing your best. There are so many challenges along the way – mistakes to be made and learned from – all of which will make you a more resilient and empathetic lawyer. Second, don’t try to do it all on your own. If you are currently in the midst of interviews or getting ready to apply next year, ask for help from your career advisor, other barristers, or friends and family members. Lastly, don’t let any preconceived notions hold you back. I hesitated to even consider a career at the Bar because I thought my background didn’t fit the typical mould of a barrister. That couldn’t have been further from the truth, as I have come to learn that what makes you unique is probably your strongest asset.
