Libby Costello-Williams

Libby is a Bar course student at BPP in Birmingham and a law graduate, working towards a career at the criminal bar. In this piece, she shares her motivations, top tips for finding work experience and what life is like day to day on a mini-pupillage.

1. Thanks for chatting to us, Libby! Could you tell us first what got you interested in a career at the criminal bar?

I actually became interested in the criminal justice system before I knew I wanted to pursue a career at the bar or a legal career at all. I was always fascinated by true crime and police documentaries and I found myself interested in how the criminal justice system worked so I decided on a law degree.

When I started studying law at university, it wasn't until I took a module called communication skills for lawyers that my lecturer suggested I should seriously consider a career at the bar. That was the first time I really looked into what being a barrister involved.

The more I looked into what being a barrister entailed, I realised it suited my personality and strengths. I am a confident public speaker and enjoy advocacy. I also wanted a career where no two days are the same. The idea of sitting behind a desk every day never appealed to me. So doing a job where I would be thinking on my feet and advocating before magistrates really appealed to me.

My interest in the criminal bar developed naturally through my interest in the criminal justice system and through my academic studies at university. I especially enjoyed the criminal law and criminology modules, which confirmed this was the area of law I found most engaging.

To also make sure it was the right career for me, I went to my local crown court to observe a trial for the first time. It happened to be a murder trial with around nine barristers in court and a full public gallery. Experiencing the atmosphere and seeing first hand the advocacy from the barristers confirmed this was the career I wanted.

2. I understand you recently did a mini-pupillage at 187 Chambers. Could you tell us what you got up to day-to-day?

My mini-pupillage lasted four days at Southwark Crown Court, where I observed a prosecution barrister in a serious criminal trial. On the first day he gave me an overview of the case, introduced me to the officer in the case, and I observed legal submissions and jury selection.

Over the next two days, I watched the opening speech and the prosecution evidence, including cross-examination. What surprised me most was how accessible the advocacy was.

During a court break, I also accompanied the barrister to meet a witness in the CPS offices. I watched him explain the court process and provide reassurance.

On my final day I observed the partial conclusion of the trial, including the prosecution closing speech, before the barrister moved on to a sentencing hearing in the afternoon, which he encouraged me to attend.

One aspect that I loved was how supportive the barrister was. He regularly asked for my thoughts on the case and took time to explain his decisions. He also had me organise the jury bundles most mornings, which made my mini-pupillage more interactive than simply observing.

3. I know mini-pupillages are difficult to secure. Do you have any top tips for others looking to apply this year?

It took me three years to secure my first mini-pupillage. I always found the application forms or cover letters unnecessarily hard. I didn't know what to write. Eventually I must have done something right as, as of today, I've been offered three mini-pupillages. Here are my top tips:

✨ Double-check the chambers' name. Don't send a cover letter or email with the wrong chambers' name on it (I did this once... unsurprisingly, I never heard back).

✨ Don't let rejections put you off. I've had plenty of rejections and rejections by silence. Mini-pupillages are incredibly competitive, so don't take it personally.

✨ Apply widely. Mass applying worked best for me. It takes time because every application should be tailored to those chambers, but it gives you a much better chance of success.

✨ Keep track of application dates. Some chambers open applications almost a year in advance. I use a table on Excel to keep track.

✨ For application forms, use bullet points where appropriate. It makes your answers clearer and easier to read.

✨ For cover letters, keep a simple structure: why you want to be a barrister and that area of law, why you'd make a good barrister (using your experiences), why you've chosen that chambers, and a short paragraph about what you're currently doing.

✨ Don't worry if your experience isn't legal. Working in a pub, shop, or any customer-facing role gives you loads of transferable skills.

✨ The 'Why this chambers?' question. It's my least favourite. Don't overthink it. Show you've done your research by mentioning a recent case, a member whose work interests you, seeing one of their barristers in court, or explaining why the chambers' practice areas appeal to you. It doesn't need to be an essay.

✨ Proofread!

4. What was your favourite moment from the mini-pupillage?

Honestly all of it! But I’d say the opportunity to speak to others in the court and when the barrister asked for my thoughts on the strengths of the case. It was a genuinely useful exercise in thinking like an advocate, and a surreal moment to contribute to a live case.