Barristergirl- A diary of her journey to the Bar

2010-02-05T23:23:00.000Z

Back in the land of Blighty, after being out of the UK for 13 days.

A lovely break it was too, save the lack of internet access. (Another year or so and a "dongle" will be a popular accessory. I await the person who decides to import them there. Once there, they will fly. Currently, the local term for internet access is "dial and wait" Therefore I was unable to write a post boasting about the amount of glorious sunshine I subjected myself to on a daily basis. Sitting on a veranda watching the world go by was utter bliss. Utter bliss, I say.

At the same time, I dragged my laptop halfway across the world, to only open it to download pictures of this beautiful place and unbelievable sights. Typical!

I have yet to complete the written exams that are part of the BVC. I have to write an "Opinion" on a contractual matter as well as a Drafting exercise.

I have an idea who's side I will fall down on, but I still feel as if there is something missing. This is a common problem on the BVC. It could be because the law is so wide, or perhaps, I simply need to trust my instincts with regards to the BVC.

In the country that I visited, I asked about practicing there in a Criminal capacity. I was advised that I would be welcome, but I would have to do the BVC again in that country. There goes my idea of working somewhere where there is continual sunshine! The law in this country runs on the same principles of that in England and Wales, however, following the law is oftentimes the exception, rather than the rule.

To top it off, I have received an offer to apply for an internship in the Hague, in the area of Criminal Defence, working with one of my favourite QC's.

I will have to adjust my personality to that of Egghead this week, to complete all the tasks I have assigned to myself.

No rest for the wicked!

BG

MC"effin"T's

2010-01-17T00:13:00.000Z

Well, there we have it. Another load gone, shot, offloaded, but why do I still feel like I have the weight of my college on my shoulders?!

The MCT (Multiple Choice Test) is the exam that will have most BVC students tearing their hair out. I nearly went bald this morning, but I digress..

The MCT is the Criminal and Civil Litigation and Evidence Paper that each budding barrister must sit, irrespective of what area of law they want to specialise in.

The MCT always cause my heart to almost stop, but when I realise I am still actually alive, I take a breath and read, I am OK.

The paper was a 3hr paper, no break, no water, no nothing, just you, your paper and the big muscle in your head that is called a brain. I did wonder where mine went at times today. I believe I have finally located it....Hmmmm (What -is- my- name? Where- am -I?)

I wonder which sad, depraved individual obviously in need of good hard shag, writes these papers? They must be seriously frustrated, or I am simply a fool? Can you believe it took me about 8 minutes to READ one question today (Q66) that made my brain fizzle. Apart from trying to stay awake, having revised for half of my life, travelled over 200miles to attend, fought my way through the breakfast squash at 07.30 this am, at 9am, I found myself in a room with a pencil, the exam Q paper, answer paper and a sharpener. I felt good, until...I opened the trucker! In all honesty, compared to the mock, the question paper for me was far too long winded. Plenty of double negatives, and at the best of times this is quite difficult, added to the fact that all the parties in the various scenarios had similar names, like Dee and Deidre and Priya and another one beginning with "P" This just makes it all that little bit harder to make a quick judgement on an answer. I suppose my college expects its students to take this all in their stride, along with the £12K they have conned out of me.

Instead of getting some beauty sleep, and trust me I need it, I am preparing for my Negotiation Mock exam, tomorrow. We also have to prepare an Advocacy Brief for tomorrow afternoon. The only saving grace, apart from it being the last SGS of the day, it is also a brief we have worked on before, so those that did the work the last time, will know it, those that did not, will have to get to reading.

Our last SGS of the day was with a lecturer I have never ever seen or heard of before. Apart from a slightly crossed eye, the lecturer is really good at bringing out the good points in a student's submission. Said lecturer also found the time to give me some advice re the path I am hoping to take.

Initially, I wanted to work in the area of Crime, not really to become Rumpole's sister, but because I love Crime. My LA job revolves around other people committing crimes and I enjoy that. Coupled with my weekly subscription to "Serial Killers" when I was about 13yrs (yes, the parents allowed it!) Crime has always been my passion....BUT...................................

I am not Stooopid! I really, really, really, really (x100, or to infinity, as me Sis would say) want to practice crime and run around various Crown Courts (Mag's don't pay enough @ £50 per appearance) High Courts and dare I say it, Appeal Courts, but the monies paid to Junior Counsel are DIRE. Apart from the added problem that pupillages are so few and far between, one has to be realistic and this is where said lecturer comes in. Today he advised me that many people come to the BVC expecting to leave, get a pupillage and then run around courts for loadsamoney. Said lecturer advises strongly that this is not the case and that legally aided practice areas will come under more funding cuts. With this in mind, what does one do? Advice from lecturer, open your mind and think about other ways that the BVC can be utilised. In-House is the way forward and with the impending merge of both professions (Barristers and Solicitors), it makes sense to be paid to work, be paid to be sick and be paid to have mini-me's!

With that in mind, I have just completed a search and have found a pupillage provider who is willing to entertain me.

Failing that, I will have to ensure my boss sees the merits of having In-house Counsel at the LA. Who knows, that is the fun part of this, in a sick twisted way, it’s a bit Forest Gumpish, "you never know what you are going to get"

Over and out,

Knackered, bewildered, knackered, bewildered and knackered some more.

Christmas, Exams and Life!

2009-12-29T17:20:00.000Z

Apologies, once again. Can you believe two whole months have passed since I last made an entry?

I can!

BVC-thus far.

Well, it has been a hard long slog, one in which only the strong survive. (and even then I feel f@cked)

This month I have to ensure I have revised Criminal and Civil Litigation, in time for the MCT's in mid Jan. Also have to make sure I am prepared for my Negotiation Mock assessment where I will be paired with a real barrister as opposed to an actor as in previous assessments. I am more confident with applications and hope that I get through this next set with some of my brain cells still in tact.

After January, comes February, then March, then April, and finally in May, THE END!

I still have major prep for the MCT's, and have to pick my Options. Thus far, I am settled on Advanced Criminal Litigation and PI. There are other modules I would like to do, but one has to be realistic, given I am what one might term a "mature student" who neither went to Oxford or Cambridge, is 1ft tall, with three arms and 4 feet! The elusive pupillage may evade me for 2010 entry. This, I am prepared for, but if pupillage is not forthcoming within 2-3 years, off to the nearest solicitors office, for me.

I wonder how many of the BVC students, within a 3 year period, actually make it to the Bar? Anyone know?

Getting back into the swing of things on the BVC

2009-10-25T01:33:00.000+01:00

Well I feel like I’m back on the BVC, proper. We had a longish summer, over which I enjoyed my life again and slightly forgot the uphill struggle that is the BVC.

The first weekend back on the BVC, last month went by in a blur. I managed to complete the study group sessions and felt like I was getting back. The third month looms in three weeks and in addition to ensuring I have completed all study groups, I have to complete a formative Opinion Writing Assignment. I really have to get my arse into gear with this one. In addition, my favourite subject Advocacy is getting better. I really enjoy Advocacy. Last month we focussed on Examination in Chief and Cross Examination of Witnesses. This was really interesting. It isn't quite what you'd expect, but once you understand the reasoning behind XIC and XX, you can really put a Witness in a corner.

This coming month, we have Negotiation Skills, Civil and Criminal Litigation, Opinion Writing and Drafting as well as double Advocacy. For Criminal, I have to look at Indictments and what goes on them, who has the responsibility for preparing them, and others. I am looking forward to making sure that my submission leaves my marks in the Very Competent section. My exam last year put me there and I want to stay there.

Paralegal jobie- Well I have now worked at the firm since the end of July. It really is hard effing work. Working at the LA, ensures you are responsible to an extent, but working at the firm, it is clear that criminal law is not for everyone. It is fast paced, time barred, precise, thankless for the most part, responsible and plays havoc with your sense of morals. I love it. I wish I were paid a lot of money to do it. Alas, I am not.

Boss One and Boss Two still cannot stand each other and they are soon due to part ways. This should make the experience for my Boss and his team a lot more pleasant! I look forward to that time.

Promises, promises that I will add entries more frequently, once again, I promise!

Defending suspects

2009-09-07T03:44:00.000+01:00

I know, its late and I must be mad, posting at this time. I am a night owl, as much as I would like to deny this fact, I cannot.

I have just got home, having decided to give my free time to the Criminal practice where I am working as a Paralegal. Apart from the case I mentioned that is in the press, I am working on other cases that are equally as interesting, if not infamous.
Having just completed a comparison of evidence schedule for a massive 23 count offence, I am worn out. My client has so much evidence against him that I simply have to be in court on the day of sentence to see what "Bird" this geeza has ends up doing. He will end up doing time, no matter who represents him. The weight of the evidence is simply, outstanding. The case is of a nature that makes you sad that our society has come to this and of course the defendant denies all allegations, backed up by his doting wife.

Now I can't sleep and I have to be at the LA in the am, bright and sparky. Thinking of the LA, I was invited to the home of my ex-boss who was run out of her position for some food and drink along with the rest of the department last week. Those who I thought were going to attend did, and I, who was unsure due to the nature of the criminal firm's working hours, made it.. Glad I did too. Was a nice affair, save one person inparticular who is a rattle snake in the grass and I believe only a few people have realised that this person really is a naughty one, a really really naughty one. The person will eventually cock-up. Even the best ones do. I shall smile when I see it. I think the person who was bitten knows who took a bite out of their arse! I digress....

Criminal defence is a lot of hard work, for very little pay or thanks, but it appears to be the field that I excel in and am comfortable.

Study time is looming and I need to get my arse into gear. I have at least arranged the practical elements of a study session, all I have to do is attend. First classes back are this weekend and I aim to have prepared all my study group sessions in full before Friday! This is going to be another busy week! Aren't they flippin all?!

I feel like a lawyer

2009-08-30T22:46:00.006+01:00

Before I forget, I Passed the Written Exam and did not feel like twat delivering this information to Boss. I was well proud actually as I thought I would pass it. Ye hah! Next, observe two cases at a police station where the supervising solicitor gives advice and two where I give advice and Boss observes.

My life feels really good right now. I haven't won the lottery, I am still broke, but life feels good. A few changes have occurred in the last month and I believe them to be good. My work as a paralegal is great. I did not realise the real workings of a high street firm. In general they are located on a high street, near a high street, in an area where there is a need for a legally aided lawyer. This firm is BUSY. The firm has clients all over the gaff. I am impressed with the differences in the types of clients and the types of cases undertaken by Boss. Boss and Boss1 get on, but don't really get on. They tolerate each other. Boss1 never talks straight, he leans, goes around the houses, gets on the bus, takes the tube, then has the audacity to tell you that he is lost! He is a most untruthful type of chap and if I had a problem that required a solicitor, I would represent myself. If the client were illiterate, I would still tell them to represent themselves. In comparison to Boss. Boss is overworked, but not underpaid, but his attitude to the Law is the same as mine. A client comes in, gives instructions and Boss does his best to ensure the client gets the best representation. He is fair, strikingly honest and good at what he does. I like him. He reminds me of me. I didn't realise there were others out there. I am glad.

Late last week, I was at work, reading and considering some evidence for a case. I was engaged and interested in what I was doing. Boss was at a Magistrates' Court and I was told to get to Court in 20mins. I had to hand him some papers. Papers handed over and it was conference with client time. Client gave his instructions and Boss advised that client should not go down for his crime. We are in a Magistrates' Court. He did not go down for his crime, but he was punished. Suitable and adequate? Perhaps. Will he do it again? I think so, M''lud. From the Magistrates', I went back to the office. In two years time, that is going to be me, advocating on behalf of the client instead of Boss.

Back at the office, I got back to paperwork . Boss man told me that I was going to observe my first Police Station case tonight. I had to meet him at the police station. The case is a very interesting one. One that is currently in the press. There I said it. I really want to tell you, but I can't. It is sooooo interesting. I am like a kid in the candy store. So I meet Boss at the station and we are shown in by Tired Eyes Copper from the Flying Squad. Tired Eyes tells us to come through and we sit in the fishbowl. Custody Sarg is a big bloke. Bald, nice eyes, friendly but observant. Makes eye contact. Tired Eyes gives less eye contact. This may be because he is going to be in the Interview on the case that is in the papers right now. We see the client and he says little, gives his instructions and we then go for the interview. Tired Eyes has hooked up with AngryCop. AngryCop and Tired Eyes proceed with the interview. Client says nowt and this angers AngryCop and makes Tired Eyes, more tired, dare I say. After interview where nowt was said, I leave the police station knowing I have to get up in a few hours time to attend the Magistrates' Court so that Client can make a first appearance. Client remained in Custody and will make a second appearance at a Crown Court on the next available working day.

Local Authority has had a few changes. If you remember, Manager person was "run out" of her job and has not been seen since, save a stint on a TV programme. The TV appearance was recorded whilst she was still in post. The TV programme only looks at what other people call the "sexy" part of my job. I don't think it is sexy. It doesn't give me goose pimples, leave a big fat grin on my face, or if done propa, leave me tired! I like what I do, but I do not want to do it for that much longer. I want to be a Criminal Barrister and I will be. I have to be. What else would I do? I am too opinionated and my vicarious love of Criminals, will always leave me wanting for a Courthouse. I love being in Court. I feel alive when I am in Court.

Change

2009-07-27T01:20:00.007+01:00

How to talk to a Judge? I can safely say I now know. This was no mean feat. The bf can't stand the traditional aspect of the Bar and sees no reason why we cannot speak in plain English. ....I digress......

In the advocacy assessment of last month, we had to prepare and give submissions on an interim payment. I left feeling happy and was quite shocked that I received a result that would have equalled the smile on my face after I left the assessment room. I passed the Advocacy assessment and can safely say that this is one of my favourite subjects and one I think I do my best in. Some people say that Advocacy is a bit like acting. There are merits in this, however, whenever I am "up" I feel like I am the mouthpiece for the client and that the points I have should be addressed, noted and agreed with. The is the stance I have in my head whenever I am "up" and I hope this assists me. I got a good grade, one of those ones that you feel proud telling your parents.... Dad has now resorted to advising me that when I start making "grands" not to forget him. He of great faith.

Life has been quite busy since the end of the BVC. The "restructure" prime facie ( I love this phrase!) sought to retain skills and knowledge within the department, save money, elect higher management, restructure and "streamline" the department, but if office gossip is to be believed, assist a particular individual to perhaps not take up the post offered upon restructure. One day, at work, expecting to see this person, and you would never believe it, they were not there. Sick, I say, Sick as...well individual didn't say what made them sick, individual called again and requested to take annual leave. One only take annual leave in an LA if they need to. That is what flexible working is all about.....individual took the annual leave owed to them and "puff, be gone" just like that genie in "I love Lucy" The rudest thing was that a leaving card appeared before the Whoosh. Some of the team took it quite well considering, others were none too impressed by the execution of the "restructure" To all intents and purposes, individual was a nice individual , perhaps not best suited to the chemical make up of the superiors that governed. So we fast- forward to working without individual, and where I thought it would be a bit weird, it hasn't been really. As they say, Life goes on. I think individual will be back, like a scorpion to sting someone. Work is busy, plenty of work to do, less politricks and I am easing myself into an organised phase. Feels good. Disorganised was good too. Chaos is good, it helps the mind filter out the chaff.

In this filtering mode, I decided I needed to focus on the money raising aspect of life. I applied for a Criminal Paralegal role, I am still waiting. They have advised "if you do not hear from us, due to the number of applications we receive we may not be able to respond. Please take it that you have been unsuccessful" Well how long a gap does one leave? I have not heard anything from them as yet.

ensuring that the application I sent off was a good move, I ran the idea by the supervisor who agreed to assist with PSRAS. He said "Wot, you need a job, you neva said. Come and see me" So I did. I went to see him last Friday. The following Thursday, I started work with him as a Criminal Paralegal. Well, I was ecstatic. The firm is a high street firm, extremely busy, full of politricks but small enough for me to obtain a hands on approach to Criminal Law. The Boss started me off with reading cases. The first case was a LA case, so this one was a doddle and I felt proud that I had told him something new about this particular aspect of law. The second was an individual who had 23 Counts against themselves. I read the Witness Statement of one individual and realised that the job I will eventually do, will always leave someone unhappy. I had the task of considering evidence. I have not done this before, so I hope the attempt I handed in to the Boss was good enough. If it wasn't I hope the Boss tells me what was wrong and how to fix it. The office space is tight, the stationary cupboard is bare, I feel sorry for them. But I have a good feeling about working for this firm and the opportunities it may lead to. At least they will instruct me!

So, I still work for the LA, I paralegal part time for a firm that seems to be clinging on but is vibrant, busy, and will afford me an opportunity to hone my craft. Boss seems to be genuine in his offer of assistance, this helps. I await the result of a written police station exam I took earlier this month. I have to pass this now, failing it will make me look like a big fat twit at the split between two partners firm. Partner does look a bit Ford Dodge though. It's in his eyes. Boss is charming and would have made for good TV, but you can also see he has a genuine desire to practice law, properly and justly. This is all I want and I am looking forward to this ride.

Oh, and the fact that the team haas been paid late on occasion has not made me want to run, so let's see how this pans out.

I have yet to save any extra money, nor read any of my materials for September, but this week will change that.

Until the next time..

Advocacy Assessment and end of BVC YR1!

2009-06-12T02:33:00.004+01:00

Well, they say time flies when you are having fun. It also flies when you only have 12 minutes to complete an advocacy assessment!

I had mine last week and left feeling quite pleased. I was in front of the "judge" quite early on, not sure if that was to my advantage or not.The thing I love most about giving submissions is the persuasive argument. The advocate needs to convince the judge that their way of thinking is best considering the matter at hand. I hope the French Artist got his interim payment! Results are out in the summer, so I will wait and see what happens.

Now what to do. Seems like my life is finally catching up with me and I am now really busy at work. I have a ton of work to complete and cases to prepare on behalf of the LA that I spend a disproportionate amount of time frequenting and moaning about. I was made to feel slightly guilty and spoilt last week, when, moaning about my job the person concerned said "well at least you have a job innit" This is true.

Life at work is weird. Politricks aside, I work in an environment that lends itself to big fat egos, slippery tongues up bums and one-upmanship. You'd think I was already working in a corporate law firm, but I am not. I work for a local authority. My department is going through a restructure at the moment and it will be interesting to see if those who have had to re-apply for their own job get it. Thankfully I am not one of those people. I am hoping one gets the job and the other doesn't, for the sake of equilibrium!

What does one do with themselves now that college is over? I am going to try and get the bf and I away somewhere away from Politicians and their expenses Big Bruv crap, Oyster payasyougo, BOB 'effing Crow (greedy b'stard) and not having to think about an upcoming assessment or hand in exercise. BTW, the bf supports Man U and they are selling Rio (sexy legs) Ferdinand to some other team and he will be paid £200+K a WEEK. I said a WEEK, yes that's right a WEEK! How many magistrates will I have to attend to earn that and how many police cells will I have to trawl to earn that?

A project I will be working on will be the "how the hell can you afford fees and how you gonna pay gurl" This will be a project that will involve brainstorming and prioritising. Where is the job and who will pay me the most. Heels, ironed shirt and barrister suit to the ready!

It transpires that throughout the year, at any time when I doubted myself it was not warranted. I am amazed at how much knowledge I now have and how imperative passing the GDL was. One has to know Contract and Tort. Without these as a base level, one will certainly struggle.

Thankfully, I will now have a few months to chill, earn some extra money to pay BPP as well as apply for OLPAS, redecorate my home, become a champion online seller of goods as well as be the perfect partner and homemaker!

Somehow, I doubt my summer will really be like this.

Until the next time.

Hurrah- 1st year of BVC nearly over! Yipee and Yipee again!

2009-05-27T04:05:00.003+01:00

Wow, doesn't time fly...I feel like me Mum....using words she uses and used to make me frown, worst yet, is that i drone on a bit at times like me Dad!...I digress...well from Lastminute.com to ...well you guessed it Lastminute.com with a difference; the difference being I am not as late this month as I was last month in getting myself organised and prepared. Why come? Well I don't want to do my current job for ever and I've done loads of shitty ones already and I really like talking, and talking and fighting verbal arguments...have always been like it..."But Mum, you said 'x', so how could that then be 'y'" (swipe) "don't answer back" OKAY THEN...

Right what do I really want to say..hmmm..well.. I have had a few comments that I was not expecting really, but am happy to have received. Thanks, will endear me to post more often. (will also note password as keep forgetting it and then forgetting the "hint" I made up)

Well since the last blog, it has been more of the same. Work, Study a little bit of play and not a lot of life. I did have a birthday, that was good, but I felt a bit guilty...Skellie anyone!

Since the last post I have been examined and assessed. One more to go, Advocacy on the last teaching Saturday in June...We have been asked to submit a skeleton argument...the issue is contractual and involves a French artist who has been commissioned to redecorate a hotel foyer...the issue has been lost in translation...I am a tad worried as this seems to good to be true. We have already had a skeleton argument on the same topic, interim payment and now we are back again. Follow the structure provided and I should be OK. I took a lesson from one of the previous study group sessions I had, where I all had to submit a reason why my client should receive an interim payment. Many of us thought well why not think of an figure out of the air, as long as it is less than the actual amount denied by the other party we should be OK. WRONG..Computer says "NAH" ...So this time, I will be submitting in my skeleton argument that the claimant should defo get the amount of money he had already dished out prior to the interim payment issue coming to court........as long as I agree there is a contract, but there would have to be or this would all be pants wouldn't it.......this makes perfect sense now, didn't at the time.....I am better at judicial intervention than the planning part, but I am getting much better and this has been noticed by those that need to notice it, so I'm good...for now!

So..this Saturday I will take a train, no doubt at 6am to get to my provider for 9am. Sat should be a good day for shopping, if I had any money left....(simply Red's 'money's too tight to mention' has just sprung up in my tired brain and now won't go away..."Oh Money, money, money, money, money....drum beat") I would go shopping in the city centre and spend it, but I'm broke as a joke but still breathing so feel lucky. So I am sure I will have to spend the majority of Sat pm window gazing at all the things I will be able to do when I am a Criminal Defence Barrister for a set of Chambers that is looking for a HUMAN BEING, not a statistic.....I want to be a Barrister who is able to communicate with her clients.....I want to be a Criminal defence Barrister...BUT I want to have a life, or at least half a life..but how does one do that with the current problems of the independent bar....one of our tutors on the BVC is a family law practitioner, even she advises caution before entering the profession (tell me that after I've paid you a million quid, loosely veiled as tuition fees) due to the overall changes at the Bar as well as the lack of funding now being made available. I would do PI, but having just managed to get an Interim payment (something I do know a little more about now) from a well known insurer, it seems a lot like paper pushing....Commercial is out for me, my Uni didn't have an "Ox" a "bridge" or a "cambs" in it....I am of childbearing age, green coloured and covered with blisters....kidding, I am human and just want to do a job I can love, will learn from continually and I know I will love it. I feel at home in a court house... I used to take annual leave and sit in court houses, the best in London of course...Wood Green for a guaranteed punch up, Old Bailey to get on the telly (even if its just your back, or a flick of hair..you will know) RCJ for its sheer beauty, Inner London and Southwark for good cases and crappy canteen, the former has half one of it's buildings as it should be, old and aged, the other half is new and F-ugly..who designed that? Southwark reminds me of watching court cases on the telly when I was a kid, love the receptionist, always with magazine in her hand (cheapo ones with sex and sleaze emblazoned on the front) I like Blackfriars in its idly tidly way, seems like it was the court that was slapped on the road without much thought, and its a bit of a Bitch to get to.
Croydon Crown Court is something else, slightly old in its ways, but has good cases held at Croydon, Kingston Crown Court is where you go if you want a really old jury (armed robber, attacked defenceless old lady, grabs loot and is off out the door, quicker than you can say "credit crunch" CCTV available and clearly shows robber, but jury think it wasn't 'im, cos he looks so charming and sweet...) and send em to Snaresbrook if you want the defendant to get off, walk off, jog off, swim off even or run off out into the beautiful grounds (why are there really big SWANS at Snaresbrook?) Snaresbrook reminds of Tottenham Police Station....lax and always got something (else) to do.....Once, I went to see a defendant in his cell and a mobile rang..it wasn't mine...didn't feel like a snitch with when I told the Sarg, he could have had anything, a bottle of wine or he could have smuggled a load of old exam papers in with him, anything.....

Had to see one of my clients today...FRAUDSTER, he is lying through his teeth.....I have enough evidence to prosecute, but I suspect his barrister will source sufficient mitigation for him...due to BPP, I have, in my head...(it thinks like a barrister, looks like one when suited and booted, gimme pupillage)........and slowly the books and the BPP and the study and the panic and the lastminute.com, comes together....

Sleep now goldilocks cos you have exhibit labels to prepare in the am as well as lots of work, oh yeah, and complete my skelli...luckily for me, the last team meeting I was in at WORK was so boring I hand wrote my skellie and added points in the hour it took for my boss, Peggy Mitchell to bore me senseless! (She really does remind me of Peggy Mitchell- bless her, maybe not!)

Lastminute.com

2009-04-01T00:40:00.003+01:00

Wishing for more time. Starting to feel under the kosh and expecting my preparation to land on my computer screen. Exactly when did I start to believe that merely looking at the screen would produce work of outstanding credentials? What better reason to become a barrister. You waltz into court, talk posh, smile and mumble to your client. Job done. Hah! Wake up now. OK...I am awake. Another reason to go to the bar? I can convince me of anything. Why not you, or a court, or a tribunal, or a judge, or a custody plod! You see what I mean. Only I can do that. I have to admit, another reason for wanting a life at the bar is this very reason, last minute fires me up, waiting ages is a chore. I was born early, if the recollection by my mother is correct. I simply could not wait to get out there, see the world and commit to my fave past time-talking, conversing. I love to talk. Advocacy is just a posh name for talking. See I can even do it with my hands. Where was I? Right, Why become a barrister- Well, apart from the lastminute.com bit, I think my personality denotes I work for myself. Perhaps working in for a local authority highlights this even more. My current job is my first local authority role, never before had I been employed by the Government. I hate answering to people, especially my boss who does nowt much else than apply lipstick, forward unread emails containing incorrect law, talk about upcoming holidays (when can i have one) and her (overgrown) daughters.....i would rather work for myself and be proud of the fee I command, rather than the salary that someone else believes I deserve. Luckily, most people in an LA are paid similarly if not the same scale. Imagine my horror when sometime last year, I found on a printer in our open plan office, an excel spreadsheet containing the salaries and pay scales of my colleagues, my bosses and their boss. Stunned I was, breach of confidence, slack administration perhaps, by 'ek my boss didn't think so, she advised me that as we are all aware of our colleagues salaries, we already know! Private practice, this would never have happened. (The cleaner was probably earning more than me at the top 10 law firm in the city of London that I worked at for a time. Her salary rose incrementally and she was there when the river Thames was a stream) Can you see why data discs are mislaid with this shoddy attitude. I digress...I want to work for myself. Then my mistakes are really mine, my money is earned. Work hard and the fee will be paid. (eventually) I wanna be self-employed. I wanna wake up knowing I am interested in the day ahead, rather than thinking about which poor-sod is going to get a criminal record because they didn't tell one government department something, but told another. At least they bothered to tell. Wondering if my client will cry when they attend a "meeting" with me. Wonder if I can pick up any tips in how to defend the claims I currently prosecute, when I become a barrister. Wonder how I will feel when I can finally say, I am a barrister! That's some of the reasons why I wanna be a barrister..and to show off of course, "cos a barrister is better than a solicitor init"!

Oh, I did my research, the cannabis grower in credit crunch times, would have been done for cultivation...things are so much easier when one does ones research.

Back to drafting we go..Sat seems like it will be upon me quicker than a my trainers before a gym session. I have Advocacy, Conference Skills and Opinion Writing and Drafting sessions to complete. In my head, I have reasoned that as a qualified practitioner, I will have to on a regular basis, work hard and fast in a little time for money, so I should be able to do so now. Bad attitude my girl, bad girl. C'est la vie. I don't think old dogs can be taught new tricks!

Until the morrow or another.

BVC weekend approaching

2009-03-30T12:59:00.005+01:00

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....

2009-03-17T17:35:00.002Z

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!

my second blog ever! LAW!

2009-02-24T01:40:00.003Z

....it's really late, I am really tired, but only now becoming very interested in the information I am supposed to have digested over the last few months. The provider of the BVC, remember, the expensive one, have very kindly recorded revision lectures, just for me. Of course I downloaded it to my mp3 player to listen to on my commute to work. Of course I always listened to music on the majority of those journeys. Exam looming, the serious hand is now been turned in some part of my brain.

Right now, I am listening to a monotonous lady's voice as she reads from a script. She is Zzzzz boring, (Oh my Lord, she has just sneezed....couldn't fork out for special editing) but she is easier to listen to than read up again, or could that be for the first time! The course fees are probably due to the cost of about 4 of our text books, and photocopied "manuals" and mock-up "briefs" produced by the institution. The majority of the textbooks are mammoth paper blocks of legalese, wafer thin papers enclosed in a smart hard back... The car I currently drive actually cost less than one of those said books. Babygirl is a banger, but a beautiful banger, She has never ever let me down, is cheap on petrol, tax and insurance and takes me where I wanna go, except at the moment as a little prat in a big new shiny car bumped her beautiful side and now Mr Mechanic thinks she is not worthy of repair. I could kill him.

Monotonous is still going on.....burden and standard of proof, sentencing requirements, prosecution disclosure....detention periods....So far, so good...no bits I have never heard of, that is always a good start.....not feeling too nervous yet, give it till the end of the week....

Because of Mr Pratinshinycar, I am more familiar with Civil Law, especially claims for damages due to the paper fight my insurers are having with his...... 100% liability looks like it wants to lie in my bed as the third party's own insurers have sent an investigator to his car, but not to mine....he was in the wrong and I trust this will be borne out in the evidence (sounding like a lawyer already) My interest is in Criminal Law, however I appear to be better at Civil. Is someone trying to tell me something?

The revision lecture for Criminal is still going....she goes on for 1hr 18mins and 18secs...I must be dedicated. Will be knackered in the am, just in time for work!

2009-02-23T19:36:00.002Z

My first ever blog!

I should have started this Blog last September really when I commenced the BVC...but I didn't. I didn't really get to grips with the amount of work that this course required really until NOW!

I have an exam on the 28th of this month- Multiple choice, at a leading provider's institution, for a leading providers fee...expensive. (VERY) Anyway, expense apart, I thoroughly enjoy the course and want to share some of my experiences with you...it makes me feel better.

I am a female who wants to go to the bar and practice the all exciting, cliched Criminal defence law, but I am practical and realistic. The field is saturated with students of excellent calibre who demonstrate their knowledge of various ski resorts, ponies kept in stables behind the family home and a bank account that is not subject to bounced cheque charges, interest on overdrafts, or the worry that the next transaction will put you over the limit. (ever had to go to the bank and ask the cashier very quietly for a fiver type of broke but I digress......)

This is my Blog. I live in an inner city that has all of the prerequisites for me to open a defence criminal practice right now, if only I were qualified and wanting to become a solicitor. Having completed some work in Police Stations in this city, I have become accustomed to the dirty stale smell of the cells and the inhabitants of them, who over the years are getting increasingly younger...and I can see myself back there in the role of Practising Barrister.. What do I have to do then to get there you may ask? I need to be hot, shit hot, really hot and different...I am that already, different, but how different...an I different enough to succeed in the world of greedy lawyers, trustworthy clients and defendants...time will tell. born with a silver spoon I was not, but determined I am.

Sincerely, the belief that I will make a good barrister is the only thing pushing me on and giving me encouragement. You see I am a people person. Give me people and I will thrive. I like people, good and bad and I enjoy seeking solutions to problems before me. I was the child that was never satisfied with the answer given and would always ask why something couldn't be done differently to achieve the same objective....I see that in lawyers. I am one by name only at present, it would be satisfying to see my name in lights.