Is there any point in a non-Oxbridge graduate like me pursuing a career at the commercial/tax bar? I recently gained a ‘Very Competent’ on my BVC at the Inns of Court School of Law , got a 2:1 from Cardiff and BBA at A-level. It seems unless you got a First or went to Oxbridge, there are no pupillages on offer. Lots of my friends got pupillages at the criminal Bar and I am starting to think the commercial/Chancery/tax Bar is out of my reach. How can I bridge the gap between myself and the Oxbridge alumni? (Taking any voluntary position is impossible due to the large loans I incurred studying, which I have to repay.)
Is it possible to transfer to commercial areas of practice after applying to more general common-law chambers? I do not want to be stuck doing personal injury cases and so am reluctant to apply to mixed sets.
