BVC weekend approaching

Last weekend was the last weekend this month before we attend BPP. This month students will be assessed on their Conference Skills as well as having to hand in an assignment on Drafting. Each month I feel as if I have ages, I simply don't. I am getting better at preparing in advance for the seminars and it makes all the difference.


Re Police Station Accreditation, I am one step closer....I have bought a book that I have been advised should assist and I will be booking the exams for May, so the commitment is there, lets hope the brain is "ON" on the day!

I was back in the Police Station last week, again working in custody. It is amazing the offences that bring individuals into the custody suite and the drivel that is used to substantiate the offence

Man is affected by the"credit crunch" has a light bulb moment and decides that as the cost of cannabis had increased, it would save him money to grow his own. His only problem is that the Police decided to raid his neighbour who has a warrant out for his arrest and in the process arrested him and confiscated his cannabis...and it was a lot. The leaves had no flowered yet, so he was kindly offered a Caution by the Police and sent on his merry way! I did wonder what kind of creative defence I could have come up with if I was his duty solicitor on the day...(lack of flowers = not really cannabis, thus no poss of class B! I'll run it by my supervisor...)

Currently I am at my desk at my local authority post. I have already had the unfortunate position of dealing with an incompetent firm of solicitors who did not turn up for the second time to represent their client, and I had to turn my client away due to the non-representation rather than bash her over the head and make her confess to her crime...I am one of the nice ones..... They say that legal departments of LA's are something to be desired, however in these times, reputations of firms need to be on point. My LA's legal department has its good points and its bad one, but for one, blame can firmly be placed with the private practice!

So...my aim is to ensure that I am able to continue some of the work that I do in my LA role, and implement it into my practice when I become the pupil for some unsuspecting fellow.

Until the next time....

Long time no write!...life really does get in the way!

I am sitting in a custody suite in a London Police Station....interesting, if not smelly and a bit awkward at times...take one of my potential clients...yesterday, I was unable to see him as he decided to smear excreament all over his cell and at anyone who opened his wicket. He was a nice as pie to me, but I was advise of his "game" just before I was due to be locked in a consultation suite (painted cell, invariably) with him to offer said advice. I did have another client to see, but he too wanted to play games...excrement was obviously too messy for him, so he chose to spit...nice!

Why am I telling you this? Well really so I can air it for myself. I want to work as a Criminal defence barrister. Is this possible? It had better be! In order for this dream to come true I will have to acquire a pupillage first. Stop laughing...Once I have acquired a pupillage, I will then have another fight for tenancy. Am I willing? Yes. Am I able? Yes. Am I realistic? Most definately. There are some students who are unable to obtain pupillage, qualification apart. What can I do to appear more attractive to those that are responsible for pupillage places.....become Police Station Accredited, that's what.

Lightbulb moment. I think I was a tad scared initially. Didn't want to be in the police station on a regular basis. Then the BVC happened. It caused me to think about other ways to make money. One of which is me sitting in a custody suite at this present moment. My work here is not in a legal capacity per se, but does require I know a little about the law, arrest process and detention of detainees. The police station accredititation process will allow me to further develop my knowledge of PACE, arrest and detention and make me more attractive to defence solicitors, who will in turn be calling me every day to request my humble services!