Graduate Profiles

Hugh Mawby
Eleanor Hourigan
Giles Seal
Jane Carmichael
Rosie Sarrington
Matthew Heydon

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Eleanor Hourigan

Dept of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

“I was doing a Masters in International Law in Paris, when I applied to become a trainee barrister with the Government Legal Service. I have a passion for international, European and public law and thought I’d be able to cover all three due to the unique nature of Government legal work.

I wasn’t disappointed. Those aspects of law come into nearly every area that Defra deals with. I’d opted to do my pupillage there because of my interest in environmental matters, I couldn’t have been better placed.

I spent my first two months in Defra’s Prosecutions Division. From day one I was given my own cases to follow through, although support was always there if I needed it. My cases were linked to fraud, food, pesticides and veterinary medicines – cattle ID was a significant area because of the drive to prevent BSE. For every case I would liaise with an investigator to ensure we had sufficient evidence to decide whether it was in the public interest to prosecute.

My team was incredibly friendly and helpful, and spent a lot of time explaining things to me – there was so much to learn! From the very start I felt that they valued me and took my opinion seriously. It was fascinating to focus on the broader picture, like the enforcement perspective, as well as on specific cases.

I spent the next four months in Chambers covering mainly crime – I enjoyed it but didn’t find it as intellectually stimulating as the GLS. Then, for the following four months, I did advisory work in Defra’s Animal Health and Welfare Division. I dealt mainly with bird flu – it was the time when infected birds were discovered in Scotland and Norfolk, and it was fascinating to be at the centre of an issue that featured in newspaper headlines every day.

I spent the last two months of my pupillage back in Defra’s Prosecutions Division. This time I had rights of audience (you acquire them after six months’ training as a barrister), so I was able to speak in front of a court.

Since qualifying as a barrister last month, I’ve been back in the Animal and Welfare Division. I’m now involved in international trade – mainly products of animal origin – and have my own discrete areas of work. I do mainly advisory work and drafting, although I also have a trial coming up. It’s a fascinating mix, which you’d never be able to replicate outside Government. There aren’t many jobs that enable you to sit in the House of Lords and see the Animal Welfare Bill going through.

I’d recommend the GLS to anyone who enjoys intellectual challenge and engaging in issues of public importance. Being a Government lawyer won’t make you a fortune – but it will provide you with a richly varied career that is second to none.”

Eleanour Hourigan