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This blog represents my views and opinions. They are not necessarily those of any other member of my Chambers, none of whom contribute to the blog, or assist me with it.

Editorial

Now moved to http://pupillageandhowtogetit.wordpress.com/ for reasons of convenience and ease. Come and see.

Wednesday 11 July 2007

Countdown

To those whose results are published in The Times today, well done and I hope you did as well as you wished. I rather like the thought of being labelled 'Competent' etc. When I did Bar Finals it was graded like a University exam and I got a Desmond, which was a good result. I was marshalling when the results came out and my 'friends' who were supposed to ring me went out drinking instead, leaving me waiting. I refused to drink the Champagne the Judges had got on ice for me until the Butler (yes, really) came in with a message he had 'taken from a rather drunk young gentleman who informs me he is certain of its accuracy, sir'.

The last I remember of the evening was my Judge going to bed, leaving me playing snooker with another resident/inmate of the lodgings with more stamina. The cue appeared to be curved about 60 degrees. I am certain that this was real and in no way attributable to drink. I was given the next morning off...

For those who have less than 3 weeks to go before Summer Season offers can be made, I wish you all good luck. Soon some - I hope all - of you will be flushed with success and dizzy with excitement. You will do as I did: go out with your mates, get pissed, ring home and fail entirely to recognise your own mother's voice - insisting that she is someone else. Or something like that.

When you have calmed down and sobered up do me a favour. Let me know what (if anything) I have suggested has worked for you. And let me know your thoughts on the OLPAS form and how it could be improved.

I have not forgotten the posts required. But I am waiting to see if I can offer rather more practical help than has previously been possible. That may not eventuate in which case I will tell you why not. I am not being deliberately cryptic - merely discrete. It is an unusual feeling.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

*Sigh* I wish! ( I've got another bleedin YEAR to go yet, though, mercifully I did pass all my First Year Stuff at the first attempt. I must say that If I'd failed, I'd probably have packed the whole thing in.....)

Sherry said...

I already have a pupillage but having only recently found your blog I can assure you that most of what you write is helpful and would have been of great use to me when I was applying.

Poppy said...

I find your blog encouraging and useful - obviously I am yet to start my BVC (6 weeks to go) or apply for Pupillage, so I cannot claim that it has actually helped me obtain pupillage - but I am hopeful!

If you have time, would you let me know how to marshall a judge or any advice on this - i don't know anyone that far up the chain!!

Thank you.

LL

Anonymous said...

This is all really helpful, thanks Simon!

One question I do have - how do you tell if a set is good or not? I have been applying to London criminal sets, and although it is easy to spot the best ones(generally because they themselves inform you) it is difficult with the others. Chambers and Partners only focus on a few sets and there is so little information out there about the others!

What should you look for when trying to work out whether a set is worth its salt or not?

Troubled barrister said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mr Pineapples said...

"eventuate" ???

Is this the New York Bar?

Sherry said...

Legal Lass - when I wanted to do some marshalling I asked my old university tutor and she put me in touch with a number of people.
Depending on what you want to do, maybe you could write to the resident Judge at your local Crown/County court? It's worth a try.

Anonymous said...

Legal lass: the Inns have contacts which can help with setting up marshalling, so it's worth contacting your Inn.

Amy.

SM said...

Thanks to all those who have helped Legal Lass. The Inns are supposed to be able to arrange Marshalling and the idea of writing to the Resident Judge at your nearest centre is a good one.

Troubled Barrister is also right on the money for Jenny. I would add that it's worth looking at those who sit as Recorders or Tribunal Chairs etc. Also check the Attorney General's lists of counsel for members (available publicly at http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.uk/sub_our_role_panels.htm
)
Anything where some members of Chambers have been successful in open competition gives you an idea.

I feel all warm inside. A community - where people help each other. Thank you.

Now to Mr Pineapples...

Nope. It's a word from the OED. 'Eventuate' is also in Fowler's New Modern English Usage which records that it was first used in the 18th century. True, it was derided by De Quincy in 1824 as 'Yanekeeish'. But I think that in the last 200 odd years we might be permitted to use it - although 200 year old Judgement do seem to appeal to a certain type of barrister... Anyway Samuel Smiles used it in 1873 and that's good enough for me. The man is a hero.

Moral: a good vocabulary is never wasted.

Have a nice weekend y'all.

Mr Pineapples said...

Ah ! "Eventuate" - of course - we all use it. Much of Americanism is derived from Ye 0lde English - e.g. attorney.

Let's bring back crap-uate English I say.

Troubled barrister said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Poppy said...

Sherry, Simon & Monium,

Thank you so much - I will be scribbling away to the recomended parties as soon as I log off!


LL

p.s sorry for late reply - have limited access to the internet!

Anonymous said...

Book opened - bets being taken. Almost as thrilling as the spoilers for the latest (last!) Harry Potter instalment - note one "l").
1. You're opening your own Set and pursuing the objectives of (i) selection entirely on merit and (ii) vast pupillage awards.
2. You're putting together your own BVC (and seeking validation) - fees at 1980's levels!
3. You're taking the Queen's shilling i.e. a full-time judicial appointment.
Am I close? Am I ...

SM said...

I have tried, without success to persuade my own Chambers of the vast award - and I actually believe that we select on merit. But no. The truth is far less exciting and more mundane I'm afraid. As for judicial appointment. No.

SM said...
This comment has been removed by the author.