Duty Advisers

Our current volunteers for Autumn (September to December) are:

Clara Cesar, Jacob Ward, Lucy Limbrey, Paul Adams, Senay Nihat, Alex Green, Matt Bolt, AK Esirorie and Ayesha Omar

Below you will find the first impressions of some of the above volunteers - more will be added as they become available.

Why did you want to apply to be a Duty Adviser?

Alex: I believe that those with legal skills ought to use them to help defend the most important aspects of human life. Losing your home is a traumatic experience and anything that can be done to avoid or delay such an event is work worth doing. This is especially the case when the people in question are particularly vulnerable. Being a Duty Adviser allows me to act on these beliefs whilst gaining valuable advocacy experience and improving my interviewing and negotiation skills.

Senay: I applied because the Duty Advice scheme offered the best advocacy experience of student pro bono that I could find – the closest thing like this is FRU, but cases are not consistently available.  Here, I know I’ll be in front of a judge every week.  Also, it’s a very rigorous training of thinking on your feet (time with clients averages 20 minutes, and judges like to ask lots of questions) and negotiation (with the other side before you go in).

Matt: For the experience. No where gives you 'live' advocacy experience like it and definitely not with the chance to make such a difference.

Ayesha: I applied to be a Duty Adviser because it is the only scheme that I have heard of which provides aspiring barristers with the opportunity to advise and defend people in the county court.  In my opinion,  that's the best advocacy experience you could ask for. 

Paul: I heard about the scheme on Twitter and did some research into what it involved.  Everything I heard was positive, it provides the opportunity for some real life advocacy experience but with the opportunity to give something back to the community.  The people that the advisers help are in serious need of assistance and it does feel good to be helpful.  Furthermore, I actually enjoyed land law, property law and equity while at university, so for me there was no doubt that I wanted to be a duty adviser.  

 How did you find the application process?

Alex: The initial steps of the process were tough, involving the analysis of a legal problem within Housing Law that also raised ethical issues. The interview stage was quite fun, involving a mock-up client conference and provided me with an insight into how difficult it can sometimes be to extract all of the relevant information.

Senay: The application process was clear, and there was lots of information about what to expect and what they were looking for.  As a result, I thought it was a level playing field.

Matt: A bit intimidating, it was a lot more competitive than I envisaged even though the details were on the website.

Paul: I found the application rigorous, but I expected it to be so.  I knew that because the demand for advisers is high the position would be a difficult one, and the application process reflects this.  I knew it would be difficult but I was further surprised by how extensive it was. Being in the position now, I fully appreciate that a rigorous process is required – advisers need to be capable to deal with the difficult scenarios that happen in court.   

Ayesha: The application process is set out clearly on the website.  The problems given require you to apply not only your knowledge of the law but also your common sense.  They are challenging but none of the problems you're faced with as a duty adviser are straightforward.

Which part of the process did you find most difficult?

Alex: Not being familiar with Housing Law before the Duty Adviser training, I found it particularly difficult to provide answers for the initial testing stage. The learning curve was very steep but it is for this reason, amongst others, that I would recommend the program.

Senay: I found the legal questions the most difficult (stage 1) because I think it’s difficult to write as if you were practically advising a client, rather than giving more academic legal answers like you’re used to in law school.  In fact, knowing the law will only get you so far, and there’s understandably a strong emphasis on client-handling and common sense.

Matt: The role play scenario, it was a real challenge but a great preparation for the real thing.

Paul: There were two aspects of the process that I found difficult, namely the legal questionnaire and the mock client interview.  The legal questionnaire I found somewhat difficult due to my academic background, having studied Northern Irish and Irish land law in addition to English law made the questions more difficult.  However, all the advisers are fully trained in the law prior to making it anywhere near court.  Thereafter, the client interview stage was also difficult.  This is difficult because it has to reflect the type of scenarios that an adviser could typically be faced with during an actual interview.  The coordinators need to know that the advisers can deal with difficult clients and it was certainly an experience.   

Ayesha: I found the legal problems the most difficult part of the process.  I hadn't studied Housing Law prior to applying for a position as a Duty Adviser.  Consequently, I had to study the area and understand a lot of information, in a short space of time, in order to answer the questions.

What did you need to show as a candidate?

Alex: The ability to deal with a diverse range of people, alongside strong analytical potential and a willingness to put in the hours for the benefit of the clients.

Senay: You need to show that you are good at extracting the right kind of information from clients quickly, so analytical skills are a must, and the ability to deal dispassionately with a case.  You also need to get on well with people – putting clients at ease, negotiating with your opponent, getting on judges’ good sides, or just because dealing with repossessions can be upsetting work – so a sense of humour is a good idea.

Matt: More than anything I felt I needed to cope with anything they threw at me, and they threw a lot!

Paul: Applicants need to show that they have the right skill set to fulfill the needs of the client.  This means you have to be able to think on your feet, control the interview, give the correct advice to the client and be articulate once in court. Additionally, it is important to show that you can work as part of a team, bearing in mind that the needs of the client must come first.  This is a duty advice service, and during the process we had to show that we were aware of this.   

Ayesha: You need to show that in an interview you have the ability to assimilate large quantities of information and pick out the salient issues.  Good interpersonal skills are also vital as you deal with a wide range of people. 

Has the role benefited you?

Alex: Absolutely. I have learned more doing this work than I would have imagined possible in such a short space of time. In particular it has given me a real-life basis from which to gauge the areas of my legal and personal skills that I need to improve.

Senay: I’ve already got pupillage so I’m not doing Duty Advice for my CV , but  I do think it will help me to hit the ground running when I start at chambers next year.  Of course you shouldn’t stop all the hard work once you get pupillage, and it’s important to keep on learning - since the Duty Advice Scheme is closest thing out there to being an actual barrister, all the skills I’m picking up when volunteering will come in use when I’m in practice.

Matt: Unsure, I know what I hope to get out of it and what I think I'll get out of it but it's a bit early to tell.

Paul: Obviously it has improved my advocacy, negotiation and interview skills and meant that I’ve actually spoken in court myself on behalf of a real client.  The role provides real life experience that money can’t buy.  In my opinion, it’s much better than a mini-pupillage or vacation scheme, and offers real transferable skills and experience of value to a future lawyer.

Ayesha: Yes, it has given me the opportunity to improve on all aspects of advocacy from interviewing and negotiation skills to representing clients in court.   

How did it feel appearing for the first time in front of a real judge with a real client to represent?

Alex: An exciting combination of nerves, responsibility and enjoyment.

Senay: I was terrified when I first appeared in front of a judge!  I’d done FRU before and do advocacy in my job, but appearing in the county court with a client you’ve only just met is going to be scary for the first few times.  It’s a different animal from FRU, where you have often weeks in advance to interview you client, prepare, and research.  However, and I understand this may sound unlikely, you quickly start to enjoy going up before judges and it’s now my favourite part of the week.

Matt: Both exhilarating and terrifying, can't really describe it any other way.

Paul: Obviously I was very nervous, there’s not much anyone can do about that.  In reality however, that’s an additional benefit of the role – I’ll never have that first day in court completely unawares again.  It was also very exciting to know that I would be participating in actual legal proceedings with real life solicitors and barristers.

Ayesha: I was slightly nervous but also excited to be representing a client in front of a judge.  It is completely different to mooting or debating because you have the added pressure of knowing that someone is relying on you to keep them in their home.   

How competitive is it?

The Autumn application cycle attracted 74 applicants.  Thirty-three were interviewed, twenty-six assessed and nine appointed.  Getting to the assessment stage gives you quite a strong likelihood of being given a position.

Alex: The quality of my colleagues is extremely high and on the bare statistics of the application process, it is easy to see why!

Senay: I didn’t know how many people had applied when I submitted my application, but I met a few others whilst we were waiting for interview; they were also BPTC students and had done other pro bono. 

Matt: It's the most competitive pro bono opportunity I've applied for, but so far it's also the best.

Paul: The process is very competitive and I would imagine it will become more competitive as the scheme becomes more widely known.  I didn’t expect the application cycle to be as competitive, so I was very pleased to be selected.

Ayesha: It is very competitive, but if this is what you want to do don't be afraid to have a go.

Would you recommend it?

Alex: I would strongly recommend it to anyone who is genuinely committed to using there legal skills for the benefit of the general public and who wants to test their advocacy outside the contrived atmosphere of the moot courtroom.

Senay: I would definitely recommend it – I hadn’t seen any other scheme open to aspiring barristers offering the same level of responsibility and advocacy.

Matt: I can't imagine much else will read as well on a pupillage application or play so well in interview.

Paul: Absolutely, it is a great opportunity, excellent experience and I’m pleased to be involved.  The scheme also means I can actually make a difference and see a positive outcome.   It might sound clichéd but it is a great feeling knowing that someone is able to stay in their home and without my help there is a good chance they could have lost it.  Add that to the experience of court itself and you really can’t beat it.

Ayesha: Definitely.  It is the best pro bono work available to aspiring barristers and it is also very satisfying knowing that you have been able to help someone from becoming homeless.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Alex: Above all else, I feel very lucky to have been given this unique opportunity to do the work I love so early on in my career.

Why did you want to apply to be a Duty Adviser?

Robert: I have been interested in property law for some time and, wanting to get experience of advising and representing clients in this area, the Duty Adviser scheme was perfect for me. What has made it most worthwhile, in my opinion, is that I will be able to represent my client, on my own, in front of a District Judge once I have finished training. I struggled to find any higher level of advocacy available to me.

Peter: Practical legal experience is increasingly essential on the CV of any aspiring lawyer. The opportunity to apply my legal and advocacy skills as a Duty Adviser in the County Court was irresistible, on both a professional and personal level. Not only would the experience provide me with strong content for pupillage applications, but the chance to help defend 'the little guy' - in this case from being made homeless - is precisely what attracted me to legal advocacy. Providing representation, particularly in these times of economic uncertainty, seemed like a very worthwhile way in which to volunteer my time and skills.

Mike: It offers the unique position of allowing participants to advocate in front of district judges. No amount of mooting or acting as a McKenzie friend can compare to presenting real arguments in court in situations where the result often has a monumental impact on the defendant and their family.

How many people applied/were interviewed/assessed?

Answer: Over 50 applications/20 interviewed/13 assessed/3 appointed

Peter: I met a few other the candidates at the assessment stage and it was clear that everybody was of a high calibre.

How did you find the application process?

Robert: At this stage it seems prudent to mention that I took the landlord and tenant option on my BPTC course. This course taught me a great deal, especially as I went through the set text (A Practical Approach to Landlord and Tenant) with a fine tooth comb. I think that I would have struggled to keep up with the Duty Adviser application process had I not put in a lot of work during the BPTC.

• The application process began with a written application form. The form was simple enough to complete as it didn't include any unexpected questions or questions that required a great deal of research.
• The next stage was a legal test, comprising four legal questions relating to housing. I found the test to be pretty simple at first, but the questions were often left so open that conciseness and relevance became the greatest concern.
• An interview with the Duty Adviser supervisors followed. This seemed to be as much a personality assessment if anything else, and perhaps understandably so, considering that the scheme requires such close contact with each other.
• The last stage was an assessment day, which involved interviewing a (real) client. This was by far the most challenging part of the process and I believe that this was the hurdle at which most people fell. Remember that your client may not have ever been to court before and, with this in mind, my advice is to keep calm, explain what you're talking about, explain the problems in the case, try and identify a defence, and then state as simply as possible what's about to happen.

During the assessment stage I observed the Duty Advisers in action - interviewing clients, negotiating with the opponents and making submissions to the judge. After observing a few cases, I was given the opportunity to put my conferencing and negotiation skills to the test. A few days later, I heard that I had got the position and would be attending a training day a few days later. The entire assessment process passed quickly, but even in the few cases I observed, I learned lots about housing law, the legal system and the realities of the role.

Mike: The application process was somewhat more intense than for other projects I have applied for. We were told that the reason behind that was due to the fact that the roles were generally taken by fully qualified lawyers, or for those with special housing knowledge, and the Service had to be sure that those of us who were allocated roles as Duty Advisers would be able to hit the ground running, advising clients and appearing in court. But even with the application process, Robert, Peter and I have all needed training.

Which part of the process did you find most difficult?

Robert: The final stage - the client interview. Anyone could walk through the door and, consequently, it's about being about to get the relevant details in a short space of time, whilst feeding back to them practical advice and calming information.

Peter: The most difficult part of the process was the client interview/negotiation stage. Unlike FRU or most clerking opportunities, a mystery client walks through the door and you sit down in conference in the knowledge that the case will be heard in minutes. Not all clients bring in documents, speak clearly, or tell the whole truth - most are quite scared or confused. The interview/negotiation provides the information that will be presented to the judge, so there is pressure to get this bit right. I remember my first client conference vividly; my questioning and listening skills were tested thoroughly. Also, while taking in all the information, you must process the underlying legal issues and give advice in a way that your client understands - which is harder than it sounds.

Mike: The most difficult part of the process for me was the interview assessment which is completed with a real client. (Supervisor note: this part of the assessment has changed so please see the information page.) This is difficult because there is only a short period of time to prise the relevant information out of the client and at the same time one must complete the paperwork accurately and negotiate with the opposition to attempt to come to an agreement before going before the judge.

What did you need to show as a candidate?

Robert:

• Decent academic ability
• A bit of nouse
• Some interest, knowledge, or motivation to gain knowledge of housing law
• Preparedness to help anyone
• The ability to charm and communicate with a range of people
  

Mike: As a candidate it was important to show a passion for advocacy, an interest in housing law and the ability to control an interview. The ability to be able to control an interview and direct it in the relevant direction was an important attribute as clients often go off on tangents and if the interview is not controlled stringently the pre-court interview time (usually 5-15 minutes) can expire without the information which helps the client being discovered.

Has the role benefited you?

Robert: I will have the opportunity to get myself in front of a District Judge and to put housing law into practice at the earliest opportunity possible. Great for pupillage applications.

Peter: I cannot begin to describe how much I have benefited from this role. This is not hyperbole. Each day, after winning some cases, and losing others, I have walked home from court with increased legal ability and the knowledge that I made a difference. It is tiring work, but I have grown in confidence and have dealt with some very difficult cases and clients. My knowledge of housing law has grown, because I want to be better next time. In short though, the greatest benefit to me has been a vindication of my desire to be a lawyer. I find it interesting, challenging and satisfying to represent people unable to represent themselves.

Mike: The role has benefited me in helping to develop advocacy and negotiation skills, as well as building confidence in my ability to successfully undertake the work of a professional lawyer.

How did it feel appearing for the first time in front of a real judge with a real client to represent?

Robert: Having represented a Claimant in the Employment Tribunal against Counsel, I felt relatively relaxed. My observers said that I showed a few nerves but, while I don't doubt them for a second, I felt pleased with my first attempt.

Peter: I will never forget the first time I appeared before a real judge with a real client. I had only a few minutes in conference, but any excuses about what went before didn't really matter. It was show-time. The judge was stern but nice. My nerves stemmed from the knowledge that if I got things wrong, a family might lose their home. My supervisor was with me, which helped, but I was responsible for the defence. It felt nothing like the training on the BVC. It was very real, with potentially life-changing repercussions for my client.

As the judge delivered his judgement, I held my breath. We won, and my client and her son got to stay in her home. I exhaled. As I walked out of court, there was no time for celebration though. I had to explain to her what happened, advise her of what to do next, and then get stuck in to the next case. I did allow myself a celebratory ice-cream on the way home to mark the occasion!

Mike: Appearing before a judge for the first few times is a somewhat daunting experience and whilst one would expect them to be understanding this is not always the case. I have found that initially I had trouble convincing the judge of the merits of my client's case but after gaining further housing law knowledge and confidence I have had more success in obtaining positive outcomes for clients.

How competitive is it?

Robert: The numbers speak for themselves. However, the best way to shrink the competition is to do your best to have the Housing Act 1988 and 1985 at your fingertips. These seem to be the bread and butter of the work.

Peter: I met a few of the other candidates at the assessment stage. We talked about what they'd done, what else they were doing and what they wanted to do. It was clear that I was up against some excellent candidates. The standard was very high. At no time though did I feel like I was engaged in brutal competition. The Duty Adviser team feed off each other, and had set an example of teamwork and camaraderie for us candidates. I was impressed by the way that they would set each other housing law challenges as educational entertainment.

In truth, despite appearances, the application process is very competitive, but that pales into insignificance compared to the competition from the opponents, most of whom are very experienced with the advantage of having had advanced warning of their brief and all the paperwork.

Mike: The process is competitive, much more so than other voluntary opportunities which I have undertaken. However, if one does the necessary research and preparation and has a passion for helping those unable to represent themselves they have a good chance of being successful.

How much does it cost?

Answer: There is no cost to apply. No expenses are paid, so candidates will have to meet the cost of their own travel to interviews/assessments and, if appointed, meet their own travel costs for the duration of their rotation.

Separate training courses are now available, for which there is a fee payable – it is not compulsory for applicants to the Duty Advice Service to undertake this training prior to applying, however as the application process is so competitive, it may improve a candidate's ability to compete on a more equal footing. See the training page for further information.

Initially it was expected that we would offer training 'on the job' (the Summer volunteers received such training), however this has proved to impact on the listings, which caused some issues with the judges, and therefore training whilst undertaking the role is no longer feasible.  We are determined to keep these roles open to those who meet the criteria stated elsewhere on the site, however they have to be ready to 'hit the ground running' and confident enough to take up their role from day one - this has meant that a two day training course prior to taking up posts has become obligatory - please note that there is a fee payable for this as it is not provided 'in house'. 

The opportunity to go through the application process without training is still open to anyone who believes they can meet the standard. The only way to discover if you are one of these people is to actually apply and try.  Unsuccessful applicants can always re-apply in the next cycle and take up training at that point. 

Would you recommend it?

Robert: Definitely. If you're keen to volunteer for something legal, the Duty Adviser scheme will enable you to practice a whole range of skills - interviewing, negotiating, advocating - and is not oversubscribed, unlike other volunteering positions.

Peter: If you want to be a lawyer and have the time and desire to dedicate yourself, I would encourage you to apply. As we aspire to the join the profession, we become acquainted with the different legal experience opportunities available to us. Every single candidate I spoke to, and all of the legal aspirants I speak to, are truly amazed at the opportunities provided by this role. I'm almost certain that this is a unique opportunity to gain legal experience. On my first day proper, I presented a case to a County Court judge less than 10 minutes from meeting my client. On my second day I was in front of a judge 4 times!

If you can find something similar be sure to let me know, but in the meantime, if you believe you are up to it, I implore you to apply. There are people who are about to be evicted from their family home and they need people like you to defend them.

Mike: I would definitely recommend this experience to those who are set on a career as a barrister or solicitor. It is real life advocacy experience, and, as we were told during the application cycle, it is not one that is usually available to unqualified lawyers. It will be useful as a demonstration of the aptitude needed for life at the Bar or as a solicitor.

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