I am one of this year’s devils at the Faculty of Advocates and will qualify on the 29 May 2020. I wanted to share with you some of the things I have learned and encourage some of you to consider a career at the Bar.
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I think it might be helpful to start at the beginning of my legal career: however short that may be. I completed the post graduate degree in law and during this part of my education I managed to secure a position in the University law clinic. I was truly inspired by the then clinic Director. He was an entertaining guy who really believed in access to justice. The law clinic offered me the opportunity to help people, to work with real clients, in real legal disputes and in real live hearings. For a law student the experience couldn’t have been better. It was the nerves and adrenaline of appearing in the Employment Tribunal that brought it home to me that I really wanted to be a litigator.

That drive to see more litigation and build that experience is central to the next step closer. As part of the Diploma at Strathclyde University there was an option to take part in a work-based learning module. I wanted a different experience from what was traditionally offered. I wanted to learn more about life at the Bar. So, I proposed to the university that instead of attending a firm, I would shadow counsel. I then made arrangements to shadow Amber Galbraith, Advocate. As a result of my experience I proposed to the Dean of Faculty and the University that a “mini-devilling” programme be set up. This proposal was accepted, and the programme commenced in 2019 with 10 advocates signing up to offer to be “mini-devil masters/mistresses” to Strathclyde Diploma students. I understand that the programme has now been opened up to Edinburgh University, and that there are now more spaces available to students looking to take part in this project.

From there, I knew I wanted to be an advocate, but I still had a traineeship to think about. That’s when someone gave me the suggestion that I didn’t have to do a full traineeship, I could fast track this and do a Bar Traineeship instead. That’s what I did. I ended up working at two very different firms as a Bar Trainee for a year.  I don’t think it is an option that would suit everyone. It’s very much shut your eyes and jump! Have a little bit of faith in yourself and hope it’s not a bad choice for you. If you’re brave enough to take this step, then I am more than happy to share with you that I have never regretted not taking part in a traditional traineeship.

The best bit by far is starting at the Bar. They say that it is the best training in the world and that is not just hot air. It is absolutely accurate! We are given, at no charge to ourselves, access to this training. The leading practitioners in their fields show an overwhelming desire to support and help you with your career.

At this point I thought it may be helpful to answer some of the questions that I have been asked: