Trinity Chambers - Pupillage Blog
In October 2024 Chambers welcomed Fraser Williamson as he commenced his mixed pupillage. Fraser went on to start his ‘Second Six’ in pupillage and has been on his feet since May 2025.
As part of Chambers' Pupillage Blog, Fraser shares his insights so far:
My first four months were spent under the outstanding supervision of Vilma Vodanovic in Leeds, and I am now privileged to be supervised by James McHugh, both of whom are exemplary practitioners in their fields.
Even before my first day, I was warmly welcomed by Vilma with a personal call setting out a thoughtful and supportive roadmap for the months ahead. That sense of mentorship and purpose defined the start of my pupillage and has remained a hallmark of my experience at Trinity Chambers.
From the outset, I was immersed in high-quality work. Within my first fortnight, I had observed hearings on seven of the ten business days - a true baptism by fire that I relished. Highlights included:
- James Reckitt – A complex nuisance dispute involving Japanese knotweed (CCMC).
- Tom Tyson – An appellate application from a Small Claims Court judgment.
- Jamie Morgan – A multi-track civil fraud trial involving allegations of fraudulent invoices.
- Peter Marcus – A fast-track housing disrepair trial on behalf of a local authority.
- Jonathan Massey – Contempt proceedings for breach of an injunction.
- Gary Willock – An unlawful eviction case in which a landlord was proved to have disconnected essential services.
- Vilma Vodanovic (as Deputy District Judge) – A valuable marshalling experience on the Possession Claims Online (PCOL) list.
Outside the courtroom, I rapidly developed my drafting and advisory skills through a range of instructive exercises under Vilma’s guidance, including:
- A defence and counterclaim in a trespass dispute;
- An advice on tenancy fraud;
- Quantum analysis in an unlawful eviction claim;
- A disrepair defence;
- A defence to a section 21 possession claim.
Housing and property law were new territory for me - areas rarely touched upon during the GDL or BPC - yet the bespoke structure crafted by Vilma enabled me to build up my knowledge with confidence and clarity. From tentative beginnings, I now feel entirely at ease in these areas and regularly accept instructions in housing litigation matters.
Between months four and six, I was based in Newcastle and immersed myself in criminal practice, observing a range of complex and serious matters. I had the privilege of shadowing highly respected counsel including:
- John Crawford – A historic child sexual abuse case, which resolved by way of mitigation following a change of plea on the day of trial.
- Shada Mellor – A fraud trial concerning allegations against a headteacher.
- Laura Jane Miller – A rape trial in which Laura defended the first of multiple accused.
- Glenn Gatland – A rape trial culminating in a full acquittal.
Aside from the aforesaid cases, I have also observed other hearings, including:
- Plea and Trial Preparation Hearings.
- Mention to fix.
- Appeals against the decision of the Magistrates' Court.
- A hearing in the Crown Court that involved a successful legal argument that the defendant was entitled to full credit for a guilty plea entered at the first available opportunity, notwithstanding that the matter had previously resulted in a conviction at trial which was later overturned.
During my time in Newcastle, I also successfully completed my CPS Grade 1 prosecution training, equipping me to undertake prosecuting work on behalf of the Crown in straightforward criminal matters. This has added a valuable dimension to my second six, giving me the ability to appear regularly in the Magistrates' Court both defending and prosecuting across a range of summary and either-way matters.
Now in my second six, I am actively on my feet and have already been instructed in a diverse array of matters. I recently defended an individual facing a breach of a football banning order in the Magistrates’ Court and represented a defendant charged with being in charge of a vehicle whilst more than seven times over the legal alcohol limit contrary to Section 5(1)(b), Road Traffic Act 1988. Despite the fact that he was subject to a suspended sentence, I successfully persuaded the Court that activating the order would be unjust and my client was able to attend his 6-month alcohol rehabilitation residential.
Looking ahead, my diary includes a wide-ranging caseload of both civil and criminal trials. These include housing possession proceedings, committal hearings, and criminal matters such as a s.47 Offences Against the Person Act trial where I represent the defence.
Trinity Chambers has given me exceptional exposure to complex advocacy, a collegiate environment, and a truly outstanding foundation for practice. I feel both fortunate and proud to be part of such an ambitious and supportive set.
For further details regarding Fraser's practice and bookings, contact:
Email: paul@trinitychambers.co.uk or lisa@trinitychambers.co.uk.
Tel: 0113 3235 955
To find out more about Trinity's pupillage/mini-pupillage opportunities, life as a pupil and application process, visit Chambers' Recruitment pages.