(Published in INBrief, August 2022)

Briefed Pupillage Supervisor training

Over the past decade, the barrister team at Briefed has worked with 80% of Chambers in England and Wales. It is this track record that has given the business, which specialises in helping Chambers meet compliance and regulatory requirements, great insight into the issues facing the Bar.

Orlagh Kelly, the founder of Briefed, was herself a barrister in private practice when she became convinced there must be a better way to run the business end of things. So, she came up with her own innovative solution – bespoke practice management software which enables barristers to manage their entire practice in one place, online.

“I have always had a technological, as well as an entrepreneurial mindset, so creating a digital solution to my problem seemed a logical step” she said. “The Briefed Practice Management System puts barristers in control, helping them to save time and money while increasing profitability and the potential for more chargeable hours. Briefed started from there, but it wasn’t long before I identified many areas of challenge where legal expertise combined with online accessibility could create services and products which make life a lot easier for busy barristers.”

Developing the training

The ultimate aim of Briefed’s suite of compliance offerings is to transform compliance from a costly tick-box exercise into significant business advantage via cutting edge training, consultancy and business support services, in-person and online. A wide range of training and certification solutions, researched and written by barristers, offers flexible, self-directed learning which leads to valuable certification, is revised and updated annually, and is augmented by practical, ongoing support.

Whether it is advice on how to meet GDPR compliance standards, or how to implement a stellar Equality, Diversity & Inclusion programme Briefed’s expertise is world class.

Now the Briefed barrister team have added another string to their training portfolio bow by introducing the first ever Pupillage Supervisor e-learning module to the market – and it is already getting rave reviews.

“Since the Bar Standards Board (BSB) no longer prescribe the eligibility criteria for Pupillage Supervisors, it is up to Chambers as AETOs to ensure that their supervisors receive adequate and appropriate training” said Orlagh. “Previously, supervisors – or future supervisors – had to piece together information from different online resources or were forced to register for live training sessions with limited places and availability. Training was dictated by a specific date, time and location. After working closely with experienced supervisors and a number of Chambers, we have re-imagined how Pupillage Supervisors can gain mandated training and reach the required outcomes in the easiest, most direct way.”

Drawing on real life experiences

In creating the new training module, Briefed’s barristers went straight to the source by asking supervisors for their input.

“We listened to what they wanted in relation to training, while making sure that we met the mandated BSB regulatory guidance” explained Orlagh. “We have all the contributing supervisors to thank for ensuring the training accurately reflects how Chambers handle pupillages and pupil supervisors in real life, not just in theory.”

The Briefed Pupillage Supervisor Training is available now online and brings together all the materials and resources required for successful supervision, saving time and effort for already very busy practitioners. Candidates may complete the course in their own time, at their own pace, and on any device of their choosing. The information is engaging, easy to follow and accessible for 12 months.

Orlagh has detailed how creating this training was important to Briefed – and not just because it addresses a gap in the legal training marketplace. “Barrister supervisors spend so much time reading, learning, working and training – and often away from home or at inconvenient times” she said. “The personal experience of Briefed barristers means that we are drawn towards making lives easier and training more effective for the Bar. Briefed’s in-house barristers have all been pupils and some have also acted as supervisors. They understand from personal knowledge how these experiences can shape the future of careers.”

Feedback on the training

It is to the credit of Orlagh and her team that every Pupillage Supervisor who has so far completed the course has given it 100% in feedback and would recommend it to a colleague.

One wrote: “I undertook the Briefed Pupil Supervisor course at the start of August 2022.  I enjoyed that I was able to complete the course online, at home and in my own time. The course was fully informative in terms of the regulations, the BSB Handbook and all that relates to pupillage, which has changed significantly since I first became a Pupil Supervisor in 2006. The information, as always with Briefed courses, is well set out, complete but not excessive, and it ensures that practical ideas are provided too.  I took my time in doing the course and made some personal notes and it took me just under 2 hours. The documents provided with the course are extremely helpful too.  Well worth the time and money and as always, the Briefed team are a delight to work with! Top marks to us all!”

Briefed couldn’t have said it better themselves …

 

You can find further information on our online Pupillage Supervisor Training here.

Please click here to see the original article, published in INBrief in August 2022