Simon’s blog
Oh Go On Then
By special request Employment Law Used to be known as Labour Law until lawyers cottoned on to the fact that Thatcher would veto the appointment of anyone using such a title. Then known as Industrial Law until lawyers cottoned on to the fact that Thatcher would veto...
What Type of Law Should I Do (Part III) ?
This is the final installment in the series. Please read the cautionary note at the beginning of Part I. Professional Negligence This is what happens when fellow professionals are alleged to have got it wrong. Anyone expecting kinship, concern and empathy does not...
What Type of Law Should I Do (Part II) ?
Commercial Arguably the place where the cats are fattest, this is the creme-de-la-creme of legal work - at least according to those involved in it. These are disputes between high worth individuals or (more exciting) companies or (so exciting it's practically sex)...
What Type of Law Should I Do?
In case you have been wondering, I set out below a guide to some different areas of practice. The essential messages are ones I will defend, although I happily acknowledge that they demonstrate my own prejudices. However, should you be tempted to quote me I ought to...
All Beginnings Are Difficult
I have been reflecting on when you might first seek a mini-pupillage and whether any one time is better than any other. This is prompted by judging a moot in which neither of the winners had yet done a mini-pupillage, although both were certain about going to the Bar....
An Excellent Prospect – Or Not
Having been asked to expand regarding interviews, I have dug around a bit and present the results below. Please note - this is a far from scientific sample. Most Chambers have some idea of what sort of work they want the prospective pupil to do. They are also looking...
An Introduction
I have fiddled with the timings so that this site reads downwards in logical order. Start here and keep going. I would welcome comment about the site and how helpful you find it. I'm not in a position to promise a reply - please don't expect one - but I will if I can....
The Mini Pupillage
You should do these. Remember that the vast majority of mini-pupillages these days are assessed. There is, therefore, an element of risk. It pays to: 1. Write your application letter on the basis that it's as hard to get a mini-pupillage as it is to get an interview....
The Application
The key information is: Your class of degree. I'm really sorry to say this but if you don't have an exceptional reason for your result then a 2:2 is no good. Yes, it's unfair. Yes, Megarry VC got a 3rd. But if you had to read 300 forms and throw 285 away and you could...
The Interview
These are tough. You will be expected to know something about recent developments and proposals for the legal system. You may even be expected to have a view about it. If so, please give your honest opinion. Most barristers have high quality bull detectors (obviously...