Scholarship Interview at Inner Temple (Blog)
The
interview process began with me checking in half hour before my interview at
the TREASURERS Office. I was then asked to return back to the office 5 minutes
before my interview start time. When I returned at the stated time an
additional 5 applicants also joined me in the office to wait for their
interview.
The six of us were greeted by a member of the Inn who
explained the interview process to us as a group. We were then all escorted
upstairs to the Inns library where we were provided with writing materials. We
were then asked to choose from one of three unreported cases on either family
law, criminal law or civil law. I chose the case in criminal law as I had
stated on my application form that I wished to work at the criminal bar.
We were then allocated 30 minutes to independently read
our chosen case and to identify facts in the case. We were expected to know
what the case was about, what the prosecution and defences arguments were,
whether the appeal was based on a matter of law or matter of fact, the ratio
decidendi and orbita dictum our personal opinion of the case. We were reassured
by the member off the Inn that the test was aimed to help us demonstrate that
we understood the outline of the facts and the principals involved, rather than
our current knowledge of the law.
We was notified when 30 minutes had passed and was asked
to return the unreported case note. We was then escorted out of the library and
across the courtyard to a chambers that was within the grounds of the inn. A
friendly pupil greeted us and talked to the six of us while we was waiting for
our interviewing panels to call us into the interview rooms.
Twenty minutes later I was informed by the pupil that the
interviewing panel were ready for me. When I entered the interview room I was
warmly greeted by a friendly panel of interviewers. There were two males and
two females present. Each interviewer had their name and chambers written in
front of them. Their ages ranged from 40s-60s.
One of the interviewers began by confirming my personal
details such as my name and the structure of the interview. She explained that
they would each have a different area of questions to ask me to prevent the
interview from being too overwhelming.
The first interview panel member began by confirming my
education history. She asked me how I was getting on with my current course and
confirmed my predicted grades. She then went on to discuss my work experience
that I had included on my application form, asking me various questions about
the role including why I enjoyed it. She then went on to ask me about my
hobbies included on my application form and asked me to persuade them all in 1
minute why they should participate in that hobby.
The second interviewer then asked me some questions on
the unreported case I had previously examined in the library. For example he
asked me to explain what the case was about and the reasons why an appeal was
requested The third interviewer asked me to discuss a case of my choice that
had been in the media recently. I decided to discuss the Oscar Pistorious case
as I had discussed this case with friends so I felt that my responses would be
more natural. I was asked various questions on my view of the case, one of my
opinions was challenged. I believe that this was to enable me to demonstrate
that I could develop an argument and hold my ground when arguing a point.
The fourth panel member began his questioning by asking
me why I wanted to join the bar. He also asked me why I had chosen this point
of my life to enter the profession (at 29 and as the mother of 3 children). He
then went on to enquire about my finances, however he was very polite and
explained why these questions were relevant to my application. He questioned
how much it would cost to fund the BPTC course, my travel to university and any
other relevant expenses such as childcare.
He then asked how I would fund the BPTC if I was unsuccessful in my
application. The interview concluded with me being offered an opportunity to
ask the interview panel some questions.
I found the interview friendly and supportive. Seventeen
days after my interview I was notified by post that my application had been
unsuccessful. Unfortunately I was not given any feedback on why my application
had been unsuccessful except for the fact that the Inn had had over 350
applications in November 2013. It also explained that feedback on the interview
for unsuccessful applicants would not be available due to the amount of people
interviewed. However I feel that this would have been very useful, even if it
was simply explaining that they believed that the applicant was not in
financial hardship or that they believed their grades or experience were not
sufficient or that they believed that you was not suitable for the profession.
This could aid the applicant in deciding what steps to take next and whether
the panel felt that the applicant would have a future in the bar.
This blog has been written to give LLB/GDL students an
insight into an Inn’s scholarship interview. However please note that questions
may vary depending on applicant, Inn and the criteria of that academic year.
Siobhan Tatum UoN LLB student 2012-2014
