A message from the Pupillage Portal:
Due to the problems experienced by candidates using the Pupillage Portal on 30 April to 1 May the system will be re-opened for a limited time only to enable further applications to be submitted to Chambers as part of the first-round.
You will be able to complete and submit applications during the following periods:
- Friday 15 May (5.00 pm) to Monday 18 May (9.00 am)
- Friday 22 May (5.00 pm) to Tuesday 26 May (9.00 am)
Please note that you will only be able to update and submit applications during these periods and you are strongly advised to plan your time to avoid submitting your applications in the last 90 minutes before each deadline.
What?!
That's like laughing in the face of those, who spent time and effort trying to submit their application form in advance of the deadline! 
As if 6.5 weeks weren't enough...
UPDATE: Rumour has it that some OLPAS chambers have already started interviewing candidates, possibly meaning that they won't be considering late submissions.
17 comments:
There's a whole slew of commentary at SMQC's on this matter. I too think it grossely unfair, but my comments have been held to be 'cruel'. Why is it cruel to suggest one meets a deadline? We are entering a profession where deadlines are a part and parcel of life, for heavens sake; surely then it is important to give a professional impression by meeting deadlines regardless of system glitches, rather than whine endlessly about not being given a 'proper chance'. What happened to time management( as you rightly state, andro 6.5 WEEKS represents ample opportunity to get things sorted!!) - or have we all been spoonfed far too much by the legal education system in general and now expect to be nannied and nursed through every single stage of it?
I, for one, am seriously hopping MAD.
PS:... and you know what? There will STILL be those individuals who choose submit their apps in the last 90 minutes BEFORE each deadline , REGARDLESS of the advice offered. ARRRRRRRRGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This makes me very cross. I put a lot of effort to get my applications in before the deadline but, alas, it was for nothing...
I have a question: if I've found a typo on one of my applications, is it possible to 'withdraw' it and then re-submit it? Someone on SMQC's blog said something to that effect.
In theory no; if you withdraw you cannot resubmit that single application. However, in theory it is possible to withdraw all 12, and re-register as registration is only tied to email address. That means all applications (including the locked sections) can be altered and re-submitted.
Although I worked hard on my applications, and submitted them in time, It does make me wonder whether this course of action would actually be worthwile? If I choose not to work more on my applications, am I shooting myself in the foot?
This may sound like a stupid question (given I'm LPC and not BVC) but do they not take into account WHEN you submitted application and know that you completed it in good time? or does that just apply for training contract apps?
Highly unfair to you guys if it doesn't - and I think it is absurd that anyone should be allowed to resubmit to correct a typo - obviously not a worthy application.
I dont believe that chambers take the time/date of submission into account, TT, unless, of course its after the deadline, in which case it wont be considered in any event.
With respect to the resubmission to the correction of a typo, this wouldn't actually be a resubmission just a correction.If the portal is determined to create a level playing field then I don't see why this shouldn't be allowed.
I am seething about this. BUT my one consolation is that the few people on my course that didn't submit on time and now will, are possibly not the top candidates anyway.
Pees me off that the system will be bogged down with more dross though and good applications can be lost on the sheafs of crap.
Minxy, that's exactly what I think. How hard is it?! Do chambers really want people who leave everything to the last minute?..
Wednesbury, I'm not sure the system would allow you to re-register now. I got the impression that the deadline was extended just to submit applications to chambers.
Odysseus, I wouldn't do it personally. What's done is done. If you already worked hard on your apps, *and* submitted them in time, what is there to improve?
Travisthetrout, someone told me that with the previous system, the chambers could see the applications as soon as they were submitted, so I was advised to submit my form as early as I could. However, on the new version of the system it states that the chambers can only access applications after the deadline. So I suppose that now it doesn't matter when you submitted it.
Ginge, good point. I assume that the candidates who take this process seriously, would have done the form way in advance of the deadline.
There really isn't an excuse for late submissions.
We didn't have pupillage portals in my day...
Oh no!
*exit twanging braces*
i was in favour of the one day extension to allow those caught by the last day rush a chance to submit apps up to the time they thought they would be able to.
i have no idea why they allowed this vast further extension. if it is really about fairness to those deprived of a chance i would accept it is ok. otherwise it's just effin stupid. (and i think it's the latter). personally i don't worry that those submitting later may get 'my' pupillage - there's loads of good competition anyway.
oh rabbit! *searches for gun and goes off looking murderous*
and yes i think some people have been notified of interview. ad fair enough too. chambers have to get on with the process and can't bugger about endlessly because the system (that they didn't design and seem not to have been consulted about much) was shite...
it's a business not a bloody social club.
Ohhh do you know what sets Andro?
I was told by a bloke i met in the Library he has an interview at 3VB,but thats all i have heard of.
SW, exactly - why 2 weeks, and not 3? Why have a week in between?
Ginge, I actually got the rumour from your comment on SMQC blog; sorry I didn't credit - I didn't want to 'incriminate' you! :)
Ahh 3VB is true. And also as of a couple of hours ago I am reliably informed 2 Bedford Row.
WTF? Excuse the abbreviated swearing.
I'm furious.
Here's a question (not relating to pupillage portal at all, but I'm curious to hear your responses): is it acceptable for the interview panel be dressed in jeans and what I can only describe as something pulled out of the clearance bargain bin at Primark? As you can guess, I recently endured such an interview. I know that dress code for the interviewers is not really relevant, and as an interviewee beggers can't be choosers etc. etc., but still...every other place I've interviewed at made an effort to meet their chosen candidates on a professional footing - including dressing somewhat formally.
I think it depends on which day of the week your interview takes place. I have had two interviews on a Saturday and at both Chambers the interviewers were dressed casually.
I have an upcoming interview with 2 Bedford Row which is on a weekday and so I would assume they'll be dressed formally simply due to the fact that they'll have been at court earlier in the day.
... I've heard tell that a couple of sets in Leeds have also started the interview process, though I am uncertain as to whether they are or are not members of Stargate, er sorry, the Portal - should we all start panicking now, or later? I personally havent heard a single thing as of yet and am too scared to go to the portal to check!!
@anon one - it matters not one jot how the interview pannel chooses to dress; the fact remains that you should be as smart and as well turned out as possible. I've been at some sets as a mini pupil where counsel dress casually every time they are in chambers, while the pupils are always in business suits. I think if you turned up dressed in a relaxed manner you would immediately have scuppered your chances - first impressions carry considerable weight. You may feel like a bit of a dork to be dressed formally on a weekend which may be hot sticky and uncomfortable when the pupillage committee are in their SHORTS, but it will be worth it in the long run.
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