Government Legal Department pupil barrister Harrison Gorst explores his experience so far at the employed Bar, his motivations for becoming a barrister, and the unique opportunities offered by this career path.
Why the Bar?
The question "why do you want to become a barrister?" is one constant that every candidate can expect to be asked throughout the application process, yet it can also be one of the toughest to answer. For me, I would point to my experience of becoming a football referee at the age of 14. The skill set I developed in that role was, perhaps, the most surprising early influence on my decision to pursue a career as a barrister. As a referee, I had to learn to interpret the "Laws of the Game" and apply them quickly and decisively in real-time, often under considerable pressure, with the added challenge of dealing with a highly vocal crowd (to put things nicely). The ability to make quick, reasoned decisions in a high-pressure, sometimes hostile environment felt surprisingly similar to the skills required at the Bar. This experience, while on the surface unrelated to law, was instrumental in helping me develop the necessary qualities for the role, such as confidence, resilience, and critical thinking — skills that translate directly into legal practice. At least that’s how I explained it in my interview, albeit with a little less emphasis on the shouting.
Why the Government Legal Department?
Throughout university, I found myself increasingly captivated by the intricacies of politics and the structure of our constitution. This naturally led to a growing interest in working within the heart of government and engaging with public law. However, it wasn’t until my second year at university that I became aware of the Government Legal Department (GLD), which would later become my chosen path.
Up until that point, my understanding of the legal profession had been predominantly focused on the traditional, independent route. It was only when I came across an advert for GLD’s summer internship program that I began to explore the opportunities within the Government Legal Service. I applied and was fortunate enough to secure a place. During that week, I had the privilege of hearing from the Law Officers — the Attorney General and Solicitor General — along with representatives from various government departments including HMRC, the CMA, the Law Commission, and, of course, the GLD. This experience was excellent and marked a turning point in my legal career aspirations.
A different route to the Bar: employed pupillage
I was drawn to the opportunity to work in-house within the GLD, which presented a distinct but equally respected path to becoming a barrister. The GLD is one of the largest employers of lawyers in the country, providing legal services across a vast range of public law issues, from public procurement and regulatory law to civil litigation and constitutional law. The employed Bar, which can often be overlooked by aspiring barristers, offers a unique combination of legal practice and the chance to work at the heart of government.
Since starting my pupillage at the GLD, I have had the chance to work on some truly fascinating cases on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, Foreign and Home Office from international human rights, judicial review, and various public inquiries. The nature of the work here differs from the private Bar, where practitioners often deal with clients who are private individuals or corporations. At the GLD, we engage with government departments or arm’s length bodies, dealing with issues that directly affect public policy and the functioning of our society. There is a strong sense of public service, knowing that the work we do has the potential to shape the laws and regulations that govern our everyday lives.
One of the things that I’ve come to appreciate about working at the employed Bar is the collaborative environment. Unlike the traditional self-employed barristers who operate as independent practitioners, there is a strong emphasis on teamwork and sharing knowledge in the GLD. While we still advocate for our cases and provide specialist legal advice, we often work alongside solicitors, civil servants, and even politicians, contributing to a more holistic approach to legal challenges. This has provided me with an invaluable opportunity to see the legal process from multiple perspectives and gain a deep understanding of how government policy is translated into law.
Challenges and rewards of employed pupillage
But perhaps the most rewarding aspect of my pupillage at the GLD is the opportunity to develop and hone my skills in a setting that allows me to contribute to the broader public good. There’s a certain sense of pride in knowing that the legal work you do contributes directly to the functioning of our government and, by extension, impacts the lives of citizens across the country. This is an element of practice that I hadn’t fully appreciated before joining the GLD.
My experience so far at the Government Legal Department has been both challenging and rewarding, offering me the opportunity to engage with complex public law issues while also contributing to the development of legal policy. For anyone considering a career at the Bar, I would highly encourage exploring the employed Bar route with the GLD as a potential option. It offers a unique blend of legal expertise, public service, and the chance to be involved in shaping the future of law and policy in this country.