I promised myself that I would not be one of those bloggers that publishes a few posts and then largely forgets about it. I am exactly that person. Kind of.
It's not that I totally forgot about the existence of my blog, it was more a question of priorities. Do the blog, don't do your work, don't get tenancy. That's how my mind worked anyway. You will notice the past tense of the verb "work". That is because, three and a half months into my pupillage, I have stopped caring. Not only about my pupillage, but about life in general - a year of subservience in chambers will do that to you. I have some sage advice for anyone thinking of coming to the bar: don't do it.
Joking aside, I have been kept very busy. I am actually very lucky in my set or, at least with the Master, as I do get constant work to get on with, but it's rarely unfairly voluminous and he is always around to help me. I put my hands up and admit that the amount of work should not have stopped me publishing but....I can't quite explain it. Perhaps those of you reading this that are presently undergoing pupillage will know what I mean but, it's as if there is some dark force hanging over you throughout which saps any good intentions you may have had to be productive when you don't actually have to be. Whereas in the past I used to be really good about doing all the laundry, dishes and cleaning etc, now, when I am at home and otherwise at a loose end, I will just stare at the dishes/shirts/dust [delete as appropriate] without any intention of challenging it and just think 'Well that's not going to get me tenancy now, is it?'.
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
Sunday, 18 November 2007
Pupil's Advocacy Course
As many of you will be aware, once you have started pupillage, you have to complete a compulsory advocacy course run by your Inn. What some of you may not realise, and certainly I did not, was that the course lasts 2 weeks!! Before you start thinking: 2 weeks holiday from chambers, woo-hoo!....think again! It was quite a lot of hard work, though ultimately useful and I made some new friends :-)
Mine just finished last week and I'm really glad its over. I'm actually looking forward to being back in chambers with some proper work to do! Maybe now I'll have more opportunity to publish some more [timely] posts.
Mine just finished last week and I'm really glad its over. I'm actually looking forward to being back in chambers with some proper work to do! Maybe now I'll have more opportunity to publish some more [timely] posts.
The Noting Brief
Well, this was nice. One night in chambers, at around 6.30pm, I was given my very first brief!! OK, so it does not really count, as it was only a noting brief....but still....!!
The next morning I had to be in the Watford County Court and sit there and take notes of the proceedings. I don't know what other people make of that duty but, for me, it was every bit as arduous as I thought it was going to be. Its rather difficult to keep your attention focused for so long. Fortunately for me, the case was actually rather interesting and was made all the more entertaining by the defendant litigant in person, who abused the other participants in the proceedings at random intervals. Still, as difficult as it was, I got £125 per day and was at court for 2 days....drinks are on me......in around 3 years or so when I finally get paid for the work.
The next morning I had to be in the Watford County Court and sit there and take notes of the proceedings. I don't know what other people make of that duty but, for me, it was every bit as arduous as I thought it was going to be. Its rather difficult to keep your attention focused for so long. Fortunately for me, the case was actually rather interesting and was made all the more entertaining by the defendant litigant in person, who abused the other participants in the proceedings at random intervals. Still, as difficult as it was, I got £125 per day and was at court for 2 days....drinks are on me......in around 3 years or so when I finally get paid for the work.
Monday, 22 October 2007
The Beginning
Wow – it’s been a while since my last post. I can’t believe that I’m already into my fourth week of pupillage. Some of the other pupillage blogs that I have been reading, my favourite one in particular, contain reams of entries all about how boring it is and how one will often spend time twiddling their thumbs with nothing to do. As an indicator of how much that applies to me, just check the length of time between this and my last post. And that’s not down to my being lazy; though far be it from me to deny that particular charge altogether. OK, enough with the vaguities (sorry, not sure how you spell that one), I have been swamped!!
On my second day I had to draft a particulars of claim on a real case and hand it into my Pupil Master (hereafter, known as “The Master”, a direct homage to “Pupilblogger” who, to the best of my knowledge, was the first to coin that phrase in blawgs). I had to do another a couple of days after that and, in between and since, there have been court visits, conferences and, mostly, case reading and summarising for the master, with discussions about my conclusions.
I won’t say that any of it has been easy, because it has not. What I will say is that it has, thus far, been very enjoyable and interesting. The most difficult thing for me has, until now, been the travelling and the hours. The travelling by tube I’m used to. What I’m not used to is travelling by tube in rush hour in a nice suit with all the trimmings and being groped by all and sundry. I won’t say that isn’t enjoyable at times.....but sometimes I’d like dinner and flowers first......sometimes. My hours are officially 09:00 to 18:00, though I frequently leave well after 18:00. On my first day the master impressed upon me that I would not score any brownie points by coming in early or leaving late (though he practically winked at me when he said that he was required to say that, and other blurb, under the working time directive). Let it be said that I am under no illusion that, converse to the last couple of sentences, I am positive that it will score me brownie points if I regularly outstay my fellow barristers and the clerks. As mentioned, I have been doing that a fair bit but, and here lies the rub, it has not been intentionally as such. Sometimes I am just enjoying a good conversation and other times I just want to get something finished or, at least, make some more progress on it before leaving chambers. We shall see how long that lasts....
Finally a word on the master. Actually, he’s pretty cool. I think I have been very lucky, having heard the horror stories of others. He’s patient, generous, witty, good conversationalist and seems to be an excellent barrister too. Right now, I don’t mind being at the feet of the master – he has nice shoes.
On my second day I had to draft a particulars of claim on a real case and hand it into my Pupil Master (hereafter, known as “The Master”, a direct homage to “Pupilblogger” who, to the best of my knowledge, was the first to coin that phrase in blawgs). I had to do another a couple of days after that and, in between and since, there have been court visits, conferences and, mostly, case reading and summarising for the master, with discussions about my conclusions.
I won’t say that any of it has been easy, because it has not. What I will say is that it has, thus far, been very enjoyable and interesting. The most difficult thing for me has, until now, been the travelling and the hours. The travelling by tube I’m used to. What I’m not used to is travelling by tube in rush hour in a nice suit with all the trimmings and being groped by all and sundry. I won’t say that isn’t enjoyable at times.....but sometimes I’d like dinner and flowers first......sometimes. My hours are officially 09:00 to 18:00, though I frequently leave well after 18:00. On my first day the master impressed upon me that I would not score any brownie points by coming in early or leaving late (though he practically winked at me when he said that he was required to say that, and other blurb, under the working time directive). Let it be said that I am under no illusion that, converse to the last couple of sentences, I am positive that it will score me brownie points if I regularly outstay my fellow barristers and the clerks. As mentioned, I have been doing that a fair bit but, and here lies the rub, it has not been intentionally as such. Sometimes I am just enjoying a good conversation and other times I just want to get something finished or, at least, make some more progress on it before leaving chambers. We shall see how long that lasts....
Finally a word on the master. Actually, he’s pretty cool. I think I have been very lucky, having heard the horror stories of others. He’s patient, generous, witty, good conversationalist and seems to be an excellent barrister too. Right now, I don’t mind being at the feet of the master – he has nice shoes.
Monday, 13 August 2007
The Doctor's Note - Part 2
It is amazing what a little bit of research on the Internet can do for you. I found a very useful little piece on sick leave, which, I am sure you will be glad to know, I used to my own shady ends.
In a nutshell, if you are off work with sickness for less than seven days, then your employer cannot require you to produce a sick certificate from your doctor. You are able to “self-certificate” for this period. These regulations come from the Department of Work & Pensions. Thus, I printed them off, highlighted the relative parts and submitted them to my manager, together with my self-certificating form (SC2, should you be interested) much to her chagrin and my self-satisfied amusement. That’d be 1-0 to me then. Talking of which.......
My 5-a-side football team played in the second annual tournament for a small charity yesterday. Last year we reached the final and lost due to a combination of being kicked all over the pitch by a bunch of violent thugs who had little interest in actually playing football and a ref who was completely gormless. We actually equalised in the last minute, the ref gave the goal and then, following our opponents’ protests, ruled it out. That one rankled for an entire year with all of us. We played the same team in the semis this year and beat them – I can’t tell you how good that felt. The final finished 0-0 and it was 1-1 after penalties. It went to sudden death and we lost it 1-0. Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! As you would expect, despite being captain and being expected to lead by example, I completely bottled it and did not take a penalty. Still, I’ve always wanted to be able to say I’ve lost a final on penalties. Maybe third time lucky next year.
In a nutshell, if you are off work with sickness for less than seven days, then your employer cannot require you to produce a sick certificate from your doctor. You are able to “self-certificate” for this period. These regulations come from the Department of Work & Pensions. Thus, I printed them off, highlighted the relative parts and submitted them to my manager, together with my self-certificating form (SC2, should you be interested) much to her chagrin and my self-satisfied amusement. That’d be 1-0 to me then. Talking of which.......
My 5-a-side football team played in the second annual tournament for a small charity yesterday. Last year we reached the final and lost due to a combination of being kicked all over the pitch by a bunch of violent thugs who had little interest in actually playing football and a ref who was completely gormless. We actually equalised in the last minute, the ref gave the goal and then, following our opponents’ protests, ruled it out. That one rankled for an entire year with all of us. We played the same team in the semis this year and beat them – I can’t tell you how good that felt. The final finished 0-0 and it was 1-1 after penalties. It went to sudden death and we lost it 1-0. Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! As you would expect, despite being captain and being expected to lead by example, I completely bottled it and did not take a penalty. Still, I’ve always wanted to be able to say I’ve lost a final on penalties. Maybe third time lucky next year.
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
The Doctor's Note
Now then; does the title of this posting not sound like it could be the title to a Seinfeld episode? Quite natty I feel. Alas, that is where the joviality of this posting ends. Whilst I am sure that many of you reading this will find it hilarious, I do not.
You may remember that the week before last I was “off sick” all week. Knowing full well that any sick leave beyond three days in length had to be sanctioned by a doctor’s note, I took a calculated risk and decided to not attend the doctor. This was for several reasons:
1) I was not, in the conventional understanding of the word, sick.
2) 18 months ago when I took a [more conventional] week’s sick leave, I was not asked for any such doctor’s note upon my return.
3) I could not be bothered.
All was swell until late last week, when the “manager” asked me for my doctor’s note. I pleaded ignorance. This did not work. I said that I would see the doctor (as it happens, I shall be seeing him tomorrow) and mention it to him, knowing full well what he is likely to say to me. The hope was that it would buy me some time. It did not. Yesterday, the manager asked me again for the note – I can’t help but feel that if it was somebody else, she would not be this persistent. Put it this way, she has yet to be so persistent on anything work-related. I think this is turning into a witch-hunt, or at least a Budding Barrister hunt. Ignorance not having worked, my lawyer super powers then kicked-in and I unleashed my nuclear weapon: reasonableness. Why, I implored, would I go to the doctors after three days if I had flu? I know what’s wrong with me, getting out of bed or out of a chair is (when you actually do have a flu) a traumatic experience. Am I to be expected to venture out (nigh-on impossible when within the grips of flu) to the docs, only for him to say ‘you’ve got the flu, there’s nothing I can do or prescribe for you – just drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of rest and take paracetamol’? Come now. This approach worked not. Apparently, they need ‘some kind of record’.
Ok, so, before any of you start on this one, I know I’m in the wrong, but it has become a matter of principle (don’t say it!!) and, in fairness, I’m only taking back time which is owed me anyway. I feel like Bart Simpson when he witnesses the [lack of] assault on a French waiter by Diamond Joe Quimby’s nephew, but does not want to testify because then Principal Skinner will have the evidence he needs to prove that Bart was playing truant. My final assault, if pushed, will be that of expectation. Last time I was not asked for a doctor’s note, so I had the legitimate expectation that I would not need one this time. Furthermore, having phoned-in to the office every day whilst off, there was ample opportunity to instruct me accordingly at the time. Honestly; some people just have no morals!
You may remember that the week before last I was “off sick” all week. Knowing full well that any sick leave beyond three days in length had to be sanctioned by a doctor’s note, I took a calculated risk and decided to not attend the doctor. This was for several reasons:
1) I was not, in the conventional understanding of the word, sick.
2) 18 months ago when I took a [more conventional] week’s sick leave, I was not asked for any such doctor’s note upon my return.
3) I could not be bothered.
All was swell until late last week, when the “manager” asked me for my doctor’s note. I pleaded ignorance. This did not work. I said that I would see the doctor (as it happens, I shall be seeing him tomorrow) and mention it to him, knowing full well what he is likely to say to me. The hope was that it would buy me some time. It did not. Yesterday, the manager asked me again for the note – I can’t help but feel that if it was somebody else, she would not be this persistent. Put it this way, she has yet to be so persistent on anything work-related. I think this is turning into a witch-hunt, or at least a Budding Barrister hunt. Ignorance not having worked, my lawyer super powers then kicked-in and I unleashed my nuclear weapon: reasonableness. Why, I implored, would I go to the doctors after three days if I had flu? I know what’s wrong with me, getting out of bed or out of a chair is (when you actually do have a flu) a traumatic experience. Am I to be expected to venture out (nigh-on impossible when within the grips of flu) to the docs, only for him to say ‘you’ve got the flu, there’s nothing I can do or prescribe for you – just drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of rest and take paracetamol’? Come now. This approach worked not. Apparently, they need ‘some kind of record’.
Ok, so, before any of you start on this one, I know I’m in the wrong, but it has become a matter of principle (don’t say it!!) and, in fairness, I’m only taking back time which is owed me anyway. I feel like Bart Simpson when he witnesses the [lack of] assault on a French waiter by Diamond Joe Quimby’s nephew, but does not want to testify because then Principal Skinner will have the evidence he needs to prove that Bart was playing truant. My final assault, if pushed, will be that of expectation. Last time I was not asked for a doctor’s note, so I had the legitimate expectation that I would not need one this time. Furthermore, having phoned-in to the office every day whilst off, there was ample opportunity to instruct me accordingly at the time. Honestly; some people just have no morals!
Monday, 30 July 2007
Mmmmmmmmmm.....doughnuts......
The weekend has been and gone and it finally happened. I have spent the past two years in a residual state of excitement, waiting for the Simpsons Movie to come out. It came out. I watched. I enjoyed. I will not embellish any further for two reasons:
1) It is the Simpsons – nuff said
2) You will want to watch it (the eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed the omission of the word “may”….not an accident).
What a shame that the same could not be said for The Transformers. I spent a similar amount of time waiting, and being excited for, this film. The weekend before last I watched. I did not enjoy. In truth, it was ok, but it could have been so much better. Those of you that have seen it will know what I’m talking about. I will not embellish any further for one reason:
1) I can’t be bothered.
After The Simpsons, I thought it would be a good idea to allow my sat nav to guide us through the City to get to our usual coffee place. I already knew the way, but I thought it would be quicker if I took the “suggested” route through the City. It was pouring with rain, I mean that really heavy stuff, which didn’t stop, and the traffic was awful. To compound issues, one of my friends was moaning about how I always took the advice of the sat nav and never listened to her, and how her way was much quicker. Broadly speaking, I was experiencing three thoughts in relation to her high-pitched whining.
1) I wish that she’d shut up.
2) She was right.
3) Bitch.
By the time we got there, needless to say, I needed that first espresso. The second one was plain greed. Anyway, that was Saturday. Sunday, in my infinite wisdom, I had decided would be a good day to accept an invitation to play in an invitation-eleven cricket match. To put things into perspective, I had not played a game of cricket in anger for well over a decade. It was actually pretty fun; the only drawback was that I was standing on Hampstead Heath for around 5 hours on a Sunday afternoon. It may have been nice to simply go back home in the early evening and then relax, whilst thinking ‘there are worse ways to spend a summer day’. But that is assuming you don’t have your regular Sunday night game of 5-a-side football. I was rather tired come the end of the evening – I shan’t be going to the gym tonight. And whilst my team may have lost the cricket, my team won the football. Welcome home.
1) It is the Simpsons – nuff said
2) You will want to watch it (the eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed the omission of the word “may”….not an accident).
What a shame that the same could not be said for The Transformers. I spent a similar amount of time waiting, and being excited for, this film. The weekend before last I watched. I did not enjoy. In truth, it was ok, but it could have been so much better. Those of you that have seen it will know what I’m talking about. I will not embellish any further for one reason:
1) I can’t be bothered.
After The Simpsons, I thought it would be a good idea to allow my sat nav to guide us through the City to get to our usual coffee place. I already knew the way, but I thought it would be quicker if I took the “suggested” route through the City. It was pouring with rain, I mean that really heavy stuff, which didn’t stop, and the traffic was awful. To compound issues, one of my friends was moaning about how I always took the advice of the sat nav and never listened to her, and how her way was much quicker. Broadly speaking, I was experiencing three thoughts in relation to her high-pitched whining.
1) I wish that she’d shut up.
2) She was right.
3) Bitch.
By the time we got there, needless to say, I needed that first espresso. The second one was plain greed. Anyway, that was Saturday. Sunday, in my infinite wisdom, I had decided would be a good day to accept an invitation to play in an invitation-eleven cricket match. To put things into perspective, I had not played a game of cricket in anger for well over a decade. It was actually pretty fun; the only drawback was that I was standing on Hampstead Heath for around 5 hours on a Sunday afternoon. It may have been nice to simply go back home in the early evening and then relax, whilst thinking ‘there are worse ways to spend a summer day’. But that is assuming you don’t have your regular Sunday night game of 5-a-side football. I was rather tired come the end of the evening – I shan’t be going to the gym tonight. And whilst my team may have lost the cricket, my team won the football. Welcome home.
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