MY PUPILLAGE EXPERIENCE: PART TWO

July came and for most of us who had already finished law school coursework, at this time of the year we were clearing pupillage. Not for me though.

My school decided training solely as a legislative drafter was not enough and I said to myself, where will I go for the remaining 3 months? I had already served 5 months but my supervisor just decided to approve 3. Being annoyed would be an understatement; I could not believe this was happening.

So, when August came, you know the drill. I walked with several copies of my CV and cover letter just hoping to get a place. I was turned down each time. When I finally got an interview in a law firm, passing it was the best thing that seemed to have happened to me. I remember heaving a sigh of relief when I was told “would you like to start now?”

I squeezed myself between the large files finally deciding to pick one and peruse, I got introduced to the staff of this firm and felt already part of a team. Then lunch time came and for today my new boss had matters in court only in the afternoon, so he left around midday. I would have loved to accompany him in court, but I guess my orientation was still ongoing. When I finally got to converse with our firm clerk, I realized ‘you need to quit’ thoughts engulfed me. I met the shadiest person and wondered how would I work here? I left

I wondered to myself how sometimes YES could not necessarily be the one you are looking for, I wondered if I was too choosy, I finally wondered whether finishing pupillage mattered so much than my own career growth.

Day two came; I visited a cyber, sending online applications, checking for interview calls, checking for emails but nada! Day 5 came and now the answer was the usual ‘come after elections’. By the time I was accepting the situation as it was, I didn’t seem to have any solution.

Moments before I decided I am going to finish this article, I think I had the best moment of my life. I was just done writing a book proposal, a first draft, with chapters, outlined and explained as if I had already written the actual book already. Perhaps Part 2 of my pupillage was meant to be. I noticed when I put the pen down on “Last Chapter Outline”

Seven months before I got here, September arrived, with no place of pupillage for me. I wondered how long, what seemed as torture to me would last. I made an attempt at yet another application woke up early and visited the Judiciary. Anyone who knows this institution, would say, are you kidding? Those guys would never pay you a dime. Yes, I was well aware of this, but for arguments sake, at this point I sincerely wanted pupillage over and done with. On the other hand, my learning colleagues were giving me “keeping up” triggers and pressure which I did not even realize at the moment. I needed to finish just as everyone was.  Respectfully speaking, they had a right to hold me accountable.

I met a straightforward gentleman who received my application, perused my documents and told me that I will not be paid. I was beginning to wonder why money mattered so much. I might be crazy, but honestly I was puzzled. We had a chat, and he asked me to wait for a response in the coming days.

On the second day, I got a call and I finally started. I spent 2 weeks in court registries learning the operations but really, I knew all this as I had done it during my clinicals. One day my friend and I thought to ourselves that this was not the place for us, so we agreed that once judges were done with recess we would go to court sessions. But, dear reader, it seems God had other plans.

In a few days the straightforward gentleman requested two people to volunteer to assist tribunals. My friend submitted our names, and on the next week we reported in The Tribunals Secretariat. At this point I thought I knew what I would be dealing with but reader, hold your horses.

If I may shock you, my first major assignment here was to Review the Tribunals Bill 2017, take note, legislative drafting. My new boss said, “I think this assignment is meant for you two given you have both trained in legislative drafting.” In my head the thought that crossed me was “Father in Heaven, what are you up to?” But as I write now, I have realized God wanted me to understand how my government works, how lawmakers work and how people in power influence decisions. As I write, the bill is pending, despite what seemed as the best recommendations I thought I had.

Month after month I interacted with tribunals, in their cases, staff and legal research. Soon, my boss was confident enough to allow me to propose comments on legislation enacting specific tribunals. But what was the challenge? when I would not cater for my needs, I needed a suit maybe, transport and so on, but I kept on telling God, “I need you to intervene, I am not going to make any demands, you put me here, please Father provide for me.” And He surely did, so mysteriously, in proportions but timely, just what I need and when I need. I learnt the ins and outs of tribunals; I learnt that they are transitioning to the judiciary, and the challenges. And soon I realized I could not get this kind of experience anywhere else. I still went to court, but more specifically I got a chance to acquaint myself with tribunal hearings. What a difference. Oh yes there is, just hang in there when my book proposal culminates into what God knows best.

When I returned my pupillage workbook, I was pleased by the goodness and greatness of God to me. I realized my training as an advocate, though a continuous process, even if I get to become a member of the bar, it had tremendously grown during my apprenticeship as a pupil.  

This was so much, a growing experience for me. May God Almighty be glorified for Part 2 of my pupillage experience

Did you like my experience?  (or not?), let me know in the comments below, or reach me on email.

 

Judith Juma is an inspired blogger, writer, poet and a legislative drafting professional. She enjoys Jazz music and writes about a range of topics concerning meaningful living. She also belongs to the INFJ personality trait and is of a Choleric/Melancholic temperament. She dances when nobody is watching and will make you eat any type of African food, so long as she has cooked it. She has a degree in Law from Catholic Univ of Eastern Africa, has trained as an Advocate at the Kenya School of Law and holds a Diploma in French Language from Alliance FranÇaise Nrb, Kenya. Judith can be reached at judyjay879@gmail.com