Sarah Wait
Bar Professional Training Course, 2017
About me
- Barrister at 18 St John Street Chambers
- Studied: LLB in Legal Practice, 2015 and Bar Professional Training Course, 2017
- Contact me on LinkedIn
About my career
I was a self-employed legal assistant to two senior junior barristers at a chambers in Manchester. I secured the role after responding to an advert circulated by the Manchester Met careers team. I was in this role from halfway through the part-time (Bar Professional Training Course) BPTC until I secured pupillage nine months after graduating.
The role gave me extended exposure to the realities of the life and practice of a barrister, alongside practical experience of using the skills I had begun to develop on the BPTC, such as drafting and case analysis/preparation.
I am a business and property barrister, although I initially joined my Chambers, 18 St John Street, as a personal injury barrister after a specialist pupillage. I provide advice and representation to clients at all stages of legal proceedings, and often before proceedings are issued. My practice is evenly balanced between paperwork and court, which is ideal as it gives me flexibility as the parent of a preschool child.
Balancing working full-time with part-time study prepared me for balancing competing demands at the Bar. Most of the skills I use on a daily basis, I began to learn and hone at Manchester Met, but in all honesty, one never stops learning at the Bar!
As a junior practitioner there are continuous professional development requirements in the early years of practice which I met by attending training courses and seminars, and by presenting training myself to solicitors. I have also recently undertaken training which allows me to accept direct access instructions from members of the public.
My top tip for students
Never stop learning and seize every opportunity when it comes along. A lot of the opportunities I had to gain experience of before graduating were down to being in the right place, at the right time, and putting myself out there.
I’m inspired by
The many fantastic female practitioners in my Chambers, who are excellent role models to aspire to. I also cannot overlook Baroness Hale, who is a real trailblazer for women with judicial aspirations.
Why I love Manchester Met
The collegiate atmosphere of the BPTC is something I still miss, five years after graduating. I made some friends for life on the course, some of whom are also in practice. I was also part of the Law Society during my time at Manchester Met, which enabled me to take part in mooting and advocacy competitions. This was my first experience of adversarial advocacy and was a real stepping stone in my professional development.