Pupil Barrister (Advocacy Team)

You will have the opportunity to develop skills in the relevant law and procedure, conduct legal research and analysis of evidence, advice work, drafting policy, liaising with client departments and third parties (opponent, court, counsel and experts) and all aspects of advocacy under the supervision of experienced lawyers and advocates.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

We are open to flexible working patterns and can provide a hybrid working environment which utilises the best of both worlds with a mix of office working in central Reading and homeworking according to the needs of the Service.

About the role

As a shared service the cases are wide-ranging across many different aspects of public children law, and you will have the opportunity to experience advocacy at all levels of the Family Court as well as the Court of Protection and Education Tribunals. In your second six months you will have the opportunity to undertake advocacy by representing our client authorities and develop your skills to manage more complex hearings with support and supervision.

We are committed to offering the best experience to our pupils to ensure you are fully equipped at the end of your pupillage with the skills and knowledge you will need for a career at the Bar (employed or independent). There will be opportunities to enhance your legal knowledge in the corporate and governance responsibilities of the Council's work, supporting the Council to meet its' statutory obligations in areas such as planning, housing, licensing, contracts, regulatory and enforcement.

Reading Borough Council is proud to have achieved accreditation as an AETO in July 2023 and is looking for enthusiastic, highly motivated individuals with a genuine desire to undertake their pupillage and in doing so develop their knowledge and skills in the practice areas primarily of public children and adult social care law along with other practice areas (see below)., Finished both the academic and vocational segments of Bar training
Capability to perform well under pressure
Enthusiasm for continuous learning and showcase high motivation
Flexibility and the capacity to take initiative
Possess the skill to maintain confidentiality, Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you'll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax