Kathryn St. John, Associate, Supreme Court of Victoria

Kathryn St. John (LLB, 2018) is a dual-qualified lawyer with expertise in alternative dispute resolution, commercial law, financial services, insolvency, and trusts, equity and probate.

What motivated you to study the LLB at UCL Laws?

I had recently graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (with Honours in Economics) from the University of Melbourne when I applied for the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at UCL. I have always been interested in the practical applications of economics, and knew I wanted to be a lawyer.

I wanted to study at a law school that was metropolitan, having previously lived and studied at a campus university. I was also attracted to the relatively small cohort of students enrolled in the LLB programme at UCL, which meant that I never felt lost in the crowd. I continue to identify with the ethos of UCL and am proud of its history of educating those previously excluded from higher education. 

What did you learn during your time at UCL Laws, in class or out?

The LLB at UCL is known to be a rigorous degree. As a UCL Laws student, I spent countless hours in the Donaldson Reading Room reading statutes and familiarising myself with case law. Having a large legal working knowledge has proved to be quite useful – especially since I sometimes need to call upon it in dealing with court applications at short notice. In addition, I learnt skills in legal analysis, reasoning and problem-solving which I use in interrogating legal problems every day.  

The cumulative knowledge which I gained through mini-pupillages and outside work experience has empowered me to navigate through difficult work situations. It is invaluable having watched more senior lawyers deal with similar situations.

What is your fondest memory of your time at UCL Laws?

I remember most fondly attending orientation in Beveridge Hall, Senate House and Gustave Tuck Lecture Theatre in the Wilkins Building. I was filled with anticipation and excitement, and the historic setting gave me a feeling of being part of something bigger. It was during orientation that I made some of my most enduring friendships.

Can you tell us a bit about your current role and what a typical day looks like to you?

I am currently the Associate to Justice McMillan at the Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia. Her Honour is the Judge in Charge of the Trusts, Equity and Probate List and Testators Family Maintenance List. As her Honour’s Associate, my responsibilities include corresponding with practitioners and scheduling and setting down matters. I also assist Justice McMillan in preparing for and facilitating hearings and trials, and researching and writing judgments.

I like the level of responsibility that comes with undertaking a trial division associateship. Justice McMillan and I are occasionally rostered onto the Practice Court, meaning I am the first port of call for urgent applications. During my time at the Court, I have dealt with urgent applications for bench warrants, interlocutory injunctions, appeal/judicial review, writs of habeas corpus and caveat removals. I have subsequently had to learn to work through complex legal problems quickly.

What would you say has been the highlight of your career so far, or had the biggest impact on you? 

The highlight of my career to date was undertaking a clerkship at the Constitutional Court of South Africa in 2020. Since 2013 the Court has served as South Africa’s highest court in all matters and will hear any matter provided it is in the interests of justice. While I was at the Court, I assisted in hearings including challenges to: the budget of the Judicial Inspectorate; discriminatory private testamentary trusts; the Drugs Act and its schedules; and workers’ compensation legislation which excluded domestic workers. The Court also heard an appeal against a decision of the Competition Appeal Court concerning cover pricing alleged against furniture removal companies. I found learning about South African laws interesting from a comparative perspective.

What are your plans for the future?

I will be moving back to the UK next year to start pupillage at Wilberforce Chambers. I consider myself very fortunate to have secured pupillage at Wilberforce Chambers, which is particularly well known for its specialism in traditional chancery law. Following my experiences at the Supreme Court of Victoria, I am particularly keen to establish a practice in trusts, equity and probate work. I also look forward to developing my knowledge of practice areas within commercial chancery law.

What advice would you give to current and prospective students?

My advice to prospective or current students at UCL is to thoroughly research study options and the directions in which you are thinking of taking your career. Work out what interests you and what is suited to your skills and abilities. If you do something you are interested in, I believe you are more likely to have an enjoyable and successful career.

I would also advise students to be flexible in pursuing their career goals. Not everyone will have their dream job lined up after graduation. My own experiences have been enriched by being flexible and seizing opportunities as they have arisen. I also believe that my varied work and life experiences have made me a better and more resilient lawyer.