Everyone at Citadel Chambers were delighted to recently welcome Zach Brettell as a tenant following his successful completion of pupillage with us. We asked him to share some insight into his pupillage experience at Citadel:

 

 

What made you choose Citadel Chambers for your pupillage?

 

I chose Citadel because of the hugely positive experience I had during my mini pupillage with them. Often at other minis, I felt quite strange, like you are desperate to impress people who seem too busy to talk to you. I was so impressed with how much effort Citadel members put into not only making sure my day was interesting and informative but genuinely wanting to know more about me. It told me that Citadel is a set that places huge importance and care on the future of the Criminal Bar and will help me to become the barrister I want to be. 

 

 

What insight did you gain during your first six?

 

First six is very intense when you begin, it’s very different from bar school! The legal and advocacy skills you learn are invaluable. By seeing not only your supervisor, but often a range of members, from the head of chambers to the most junior counsel, you gain a really good scope of advocacy. A lot of first six is taking all of this in and applying it to your own advocacy style. Beyond learning a range of legal and advocacy skills, I learnt how to work towards becoming a good barrister both in and out of the courtroom. From watching other members in chambers, principles such as fairness, diligence and friendliness become staples of what you learn, and help you realise that this job is so much more than what’s on the surface.

 

 

And what about during your second six?

 

Second six is when you can take those skills and advocacy style you have learnt and put them to use. By placing you in the driver’s seat, suddenly all those ethical problems, upset witnesses and defendants, and difficult submissions that only existed in bar school exam questions become very real, and you begin to really trust and learn your own gut sense and judgement. More than anything else, I learnt that becoming a confident barrister goes beyond advocacy, but the ability to make the effective decision at those critical moments. 

 

 

What impact did your pupil supervisor have on your pupillage experience?

 

My pupil supervisor, Dan White, had a huge impact on my pupillage. During first six, he always made sure I was engaged in some form of learning. Whether it was advocacy exercises or legal research, I felt consistently encouraged to push myself. Whilst I was not shadowing Dan every day, on the days I was not, he would always check in, see what I learnt and if I had any questions. 

 

During the second six, whilst you see your supervisor less, I still found myself talking my cases through with him, updating him on results and my progress. Most significantly though my supervisor was one of the reasons my pupillage was so enjoyable. Whether it was grabbing coffee before court or lunch after a contested hearing, I was both learning and having a really positive experience. You find a relationship with a supervisor is nothing like a boss/employee relationship, rather you have someone who is totally dedicated to your learning and making sure you become the best advocate you can be. 

 

 

What were the highlights of your pupillage with Citadel?

 

Some of the highlights of my pupillage were the interesting cases I got to see in first six. This included murder cases that attracted national news attention, to hotly contested trials. A particular memory is when I did a ‘scene visit’ with my supervisor. Attending the location of the offence itself to help us understand how the events unfolded. 

 

Coming into second six, I think the highlight for me was the first time cross-examining a witness. The feeling of nervous excitement is unmatched, and by then you feel eager and ready to give it your all. 

 

 

Were there any learning curves that you weren’t expecting to come across?

 

I think the most major learning curve for myself was adjusting to self-employment. At first it can feel quite an alien concept, and the self-management in second six can be intimidating. However, I received good support from my supervisor on the importance of work-life balance, and ensuring you give yourself rest and a break when it is available. When you first begin it can feel like time spent not working is unproductive, but part of the job is learning that you need to take those short breaks in your stride, as they ultimately help you in the long run.

 

 

What advice would you give to future pupils?

 

The main piece of advice I would give is to be friendly to everyone. Even on stressful days in second six, remember that this job involves people from so many different areas – CPS, Witness care, Court Staff, Police and other Advocates, all of which are often having equally if not more intense days. All of these groups working together are vital to make things run smoothly. By remaining a confident and kind face, your ability to juggle all of these relationships will be substantially easier and more enjoyable. 

 

 

Congratulations on accepting tenancy at Citadel Chambers. What are some of your career goals moving forward?

 

My main career goal is that I want to really build my practice. I’m looking forward to starting to prosecute and defend trials in the Crown Court, and my first effective jury trial is certainly my first step!

 

Beyond this, I want to get more involved in life at chambers, whether that is pupillage or social events, I’m really keen to further settle into life at Citadel. 

 

 

 

On behalf of everyone at Citadel, we wish Zach the very best in his forthcoming career and have no doubt that the strong reputation he has already engendered will go from strength to strength.