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In this interview, we speak with BVS Programme Director Anna Banfield.

Academic interests and expertise

Can you tell us about your academic and research background?

I did a history degree at Sheffield University followed by the CPE conversion course and then the Legal Practice Course (LPC). I practised as a solicitor specialising in Commercial Litigation. I currently teach Civil Litigation and Drafting on the Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) course. This aligns with my experience in practice as a litigator.

What do you enjoy most about teaching and mentoring students?

I love teaching because I enjoy explaining concepts in a way which students understand. I get enormous satisfaction from seeing my students improve and develop over time. I get to know my groups and appreciate interacting with bright, lively young people.

Why this course?

What support is offered on your course to help students transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study?

We have a comprehensive induction programme during which students are given information about the BVS, introduced to sources of support and get to meet representatives from key teams.

All students are allocated to an Academic Advisor (AA) who is a BVS tutor. The AA provides pastoral care, preliminary assistance with career choices/ pupillage applications and a first port of call for problems. Students meet with their AA early in the first term and have further opportunities to meet at various points through terms 1 and 2. Students may contact their AA at any time for support. AAs can help to refer students onto the relevant team where they do not have the knowledge or expertise to assist.

What common misconceptions do applicants have about the Bar Vocational Studies course, and how would you clarify them?

I think some students worry about the fact that they have no advocacy experience before starting the BVS. I would clarify that no experience is required and that in fact most of our students have no relevant experience. We teach advocacy with the assumption that all students are learning from scratch. All that is required is a willingness to learn, an acceptance that making mistakes is part of learning skills and a supportive attitude toward fellow students.

Are there opportunities for students to tailor the programme based on their specific academic or career interests?

There are three possible routes for the BVS. The Postgraduate Diploma only covers the core modules required to be called to the Bar and there is no opportunity to tailor the programme. However, there are choices for students doing either the Postgraduate Diploma (with Electives) or the LLM.

For the Postgraduate Diploma (with Electives) students select x2 out of 8 possible elective modules. This enables them to select areas of law which are relevant to their intended area of practice and/or to develop their skills. This helps students to show commitment to a relevant area of law when applying for pupillage.

For the LLM, in addition to the electives students can choose either the Clinical Legal Education (‘CLE’) module or the Article. The CLE enables students to volunteer with a pro bono organisation and then write up an analytical report reflecting on the skills they have developed. For the Article, within a prescribed range, students can choose the area of law which they wish to write about. If they produce work of a high calibre, there is the possibility of getting it published after completion of the programme.

Career Paths

How does the Bar Vocational Studies course help students develop skills for their future careers?

We operate an award-winning Pupillage Advisory Service (PAS) for all BVS students. PAS aims to provide the best advice, information, support and assistance for those looking for

pupillage, and for those who have already obtained pupillage and are preparing to begin. All members of the PAS team are legal practitioners. PAS provides a range of services including one-to-one advice, mock interviews, mock pupillage advocacy exercises, pupillage lectures and workshops, practitioner workshops and panel, and networking events.

What career paths have graduates from this programme typically followed?

Alternative careers should not be regarded as second-best options, or in some way inferior to careers at the Bar. They can be just as rewarding both financially and professionally, and indeed, in some cases, more so. While some individuals love life at the bar and flourish, some find, for various reasons, it is not for them. Former students have become employed barristers, in-house commercial lawyers in the private sector or have gone into government legal service or legal education. Other former students have undergone further training and/or entered other professions, for example as solicitors or accountants, in banking, politics or journalism. A number of these graduates have attended careers events at The City Law School and spoken very positively and encouragingly to students about their experiences in successfully developing a career other than at the self-employed bar.

Tips for offer holders

If you could highlight one thing that students should look forward to in this programme, what would it be?

Most students find that they enjoy learning advocacy above all. Advocacy skills foster confidence, clear communication, and the ability to persuade and influence decision-making. Whatever route students follow in their professional career, these skills will stand them in good stead.

What advice would you offer to offer holders as they prepare to join this course?

There isn’t any specific reading or other preparation which is required before joining the BVS. The only thing we would recommend is to revise general principles of contract and tort law as this is what will be required for the skills in the Civil Stream.

Have More Questions?

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