KC at Lamb Building (and Central Chambers). Criminal Defence & Inquest work. Bencher at Middle Temple. Hon Prof at Kent Uni. Judo, Christa & Rufus keep me sane
Horrible thought:
1. Secret Barrister writes amazingly clear explanation
2. Johnson gives same explanation
3. Johnson maintains he hasnโt copied SB
4. No evidence of mad telepathic link between BJ and SB
5. BJ IS THE SECRET BARRISTER
๐ณ๐ฉ๐ณ๐ญ๐ค
Apologies to those who have been trying to contact me for the last few days. Iโve been in Portsmouth (more specifically, The Queen Alexandra Hospital) where my dad, Jim, has been battling Covid. Sadly it overwhelmed him. He died this morning at 5.30am, surrounded by love.
So.. today is world mental health day and I think if a successful(ish) QC shares this it might just make someone else feel a bit easier. Iโve suffered from anxiety attacks (usually health relate) and depression since I can remember. It got really bad about 13 years ago....ctd
My dad died in April. I was upset. I cried. I cried at his funeral. Hadnโt really cried since. Thought I had done the bulk of my grieving and was getting on with it. Turns out I have a lot of unfinished grieving in my system. Suspect Iโm far from alone in this.
Note to Tories. Keir Starmer is, by training, a highly successful barrister. Please get used to the following things you may not be used to:
1. He writes in whole sentences
2. He uses words carefully
3. He has an excellent vocabulary
4. He is used to communicating complex ideas
Being a criminal defence barrister - a guide for the uninitiated.
1. If you are determined to demonise those who defend, none of this will change your view. You are not interested in logic or reason.
2. If you arenโt, may I offer up some thoughts about what I do and why
So, I took them. The anxiety attacks became controllable &life became a bit more mental abilities didnโt alter, I built my silkโs practice.I still feel a bit nervous tweeting this but being a QC is about leading! Itโs just chemistry & You arenโt alone ๐
Jolyon M. on GMB this morning said that you should refuse to defend someone where you believe their defence is morally wrong. In this way begins the process of people being unrepresented for the most heinous allegations. It is the logical consequence of the โrefusalโ process
If you think that defence barristers & solicitors are helping guilty people get away with it, then this thread is for you. I grew up in an area where people were not encouraged to aspire to careers. Public speaking was something to be feared and they were unable to
The Andrew Neill/Boris Johnson reminds me of cases where you HAVE to call your client despite every effort not to and then all you can do is keep a calm look on your face as the carnage takes place.
Exciting news. I have been appointed as Honorary Professor of Law at the University of Kent. I look forward to working with a thriving and forward thinking law school. I hope that they will enjoy having a busy working silk as one of their faculty.
#thrilled
Johnson reminds me of the barrister who tell the client anything to keep them quiet/happy until things donโt go as the client wants, then blames someone else and promises something else to shut them up
Itโs only Thursday, but I donโt care. Itโs happy thread time. Letโs make this thread a really happy one. Twitterati, post a pic or two of something frivolous and fun. Make us smile and, maybe, giggle.
Bar students. I know itโs painful but you MUST attempt the remaining exams. Do not give them the โget outโ of saying that you were a non-sit. The bar is a career worth fighting for and you are worth fighting for; you are our future colleagues and we are here with & for you!
Iโm truly upset. I dreamt for a long time of being One of Her Majestyโs Counsel and it has been my privilege to have that title. Rest well maโam and Thank You
To BPTC students. A letter from me. I hope there will be an independent inquiry into this affair, not just an internal one, chaired by a senior former judge or QC. Sorry we couldnโt achieve more
People often say to me; โI could never do your jobโ
They are right.
Criminal barristers must combine legal knowledge, analytical skills, interpersonal skills, presentational & speaking skills and be able to work long hours, under immense pressure. We are worth every penny.
Extended hours are unacceptable. We have tolerated the drift from 10.30 to 10.00 starts, now 9.30s are becoming routine - the work outside court keeps growing but the pay keeps dropping in actual & real terms. The system is broken and the people within it struggling. Enough!
Standing up for BPTC students! Great meeting with 45 colleagues- silks, senior juniors, younger juniors, academics, Heads of Pupillage some Inn reps. Weโve got your backs!
Itโs official
I have now formally been elected to be Middle Templeโs Deputy Treasurer Elect for 2024. I shall, all being well, be Deputy Treasurer in 2025 & Master Treasurer in 2026. This place is very special to me. I am thrilled & humbled to be chosen. My dad would be so proud
Top Domestic Hint:
If your partner is a barrister, make a list of โlittle jobsโ that need doing round the house and present said list when barrister says grumpily โ I have got paperwork to doโ. Barrister will happily do ALL the things on the list and more to avoid the paperwork.
So, students and pupils, next week I shall be commencing some talks/workshops on advocacy, court skills and the like. I shall be doing them on ZOOM. Some guest speakers
Also, any actors out there who want to learn court room skills, Iโm doing a session or two for you guys
Basically, Iโve come to the conclusion that itโs almost impossible to say anything on here without someone getting upset, so hereโs a picture of Rufus instead. He got run over last week but is slowly getting better & weโre hoping there wonโt be permanent damage
I am 30 years Call today?!!
Whereโs it gone?
Still proud to help people have a voice in our system; still excited to be an advocate; still nervous before I stand up; still have imposter syndrome.
Thanks to everyone who has helped & supported me andโฝ๏ธ๐๐to those who didnโtโค๏ธ
Update: I have been invited to a meeting with Mark Neale the new DG of the BSB to discuss the current exam situation and our concerns. I have accepted that offer and so please keep me updated with continuing concerns.
I am a very happy Head of Chambers. The quality of the applicants & the available work meant that I have just had the delight of offering ALL of our pupils a tenancy in Chambers. Welcome to Yasmin, Chris, Laura and Ani. Your practice groups & chambers generally are enhanced!
It is sobering to remember that at this time 4 years ago residents of Grenfell Tower were also going about their business, having what they assumed would be a normal day leading to another. Life is precious. ๐Remembering those lost and all those affected by this tragedy ๐
IF ANYONE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THESE โPEARSON EXAMSโ please make sure you notify the BSB
If anyone needs support for an appeal if you donโt pass (and you have grounds for appealing) you can contact me (I suspect there will be others offering too). I will gladly help
I have just read that a certain resident judge has said that applications from lawyers for CVP hearings due to positive LFT tests will not be granted unless evidence provided of positive test! The system works because we value our reputation for integrity and our word is accepted
Legal Question:
Does Santa fulfil a public law function when drafting the naughty list & is he susceptible to JR from anyone who disputes their inclusion upon it??
My dad having just died with Covid, I admit to feeling a profound urge to comment in a vituperative manner to all the Tory apologists for Johnson, Sunak et al. Fabricant and Dorries in particular. All I saw at the end of shifts was exhausted nurses and doctors needing sleep...
It also explains why many people just arenโt cut out to do criminal work. I find it interesting that I am yet to hear from a serious criminal practitioner who agrees with them. That doesnโt justify ad hominem attacks on them though - itโs their argument I strongly oppose
I canโt remember a time where there was so much conflict, anger, strife and discord generally around. This thread is to set us up for the weekend. Enough!
TWITTERATI - share something GOOD that is happening to you at the moment or something which is making you happy....
I posted about my Dad yesterday, really to let about 20 people know and save myself lots of calls. Also it was something I thought Dad would have liked. I have been overwhelmed by all of the messages and DMs. You are a lovely lot & thanks for being there xxx
Mad and wild events today. I needed to have a toilet break so the judge let us all leave court and have a break. I needed water and the Usher provided me with some. I needed to think and looked away from my computer screen. The trial continued.....
5. He can do so economically and straightforwardly
6. Therefore you have to READ all of his comment, not just the odd word
7. You need to THINK about that he is saying
8. You need to stop trying to misrepresent his words and deal with what heโs clearly saying.
#heisntcorbyn
If you are just about to begin your law studies (or are in the midst of them & starting a new year), remember (if you are finding the reading tough) that each of those cases involved real people, with real lives & real problems. Never lose touch with the reality of what you study
I was VERY resistant to the idea. Thought it would affect my work &was a sign of weakness. She said to me โwill you take blood pressure tablets to maintain a healthy BP ? I said โYesโ she continued โYour serotonin in your brain needs a boost, thatโs all. Itโs just chemistryโ ...
I have just heard horror stories from one of our youngsters about the conditions in Bromley Mags. No social distancing, someone coughing badly, no sanitising. Unless we can be satisfied that they are obeying basic safety measures, Iโm not letting our youngsters be sent to court
@EleenaMisra
@SCynic1
@MTHallCommittee
Indeed - we shall be running a series of qualifying sessions from next year called โTough topicsโ - the name may improve. In those sessions we will have speakers putting the arguments on controversial & difficult issues. Students will be asked to โsum upโ the arguments neutrally
It never affected my work but the rest of my life - eeek! I never told anyone because I was scared I would lose briefs. Finally I was forced to see my GP who sent me for some CBT sessions and advised me to take these little suckers
#XoomSchool
. Youโve heard of Book Clubs? XoomSchool is bringing you Case Club. Each week an interesting case will be chosen for members to read and in the next club session will be discussed; different people chairing the club session...
Thanks for all the wonderfully kind messages today. It was a tough gig- didnโt think Iโd get through the eulogy at one point; too many tears. Lovely to see so many friends & know others watching. These are the flowers I got him (Pick-A-Posy florists, Strood -amazing people)
Today is the first day of 2nd six for many pupils. Whatever happens, take a moment when you are in court before you stand up & say to yourself
โIโm here! I deserve this! Iโve done wellโ
Remember, if you get stuck, there are always people willing to help. Iโm a DM away. Good luck
There was a knock on my door and a man delivering the most amazing bouquet; went to call Christa and discovered they were for ME - a birthday pressie from one of my loveliest friends. I am blessed ๐๐ฅฒ
Iโve now subscribed to Zoom (paid for the year and everything). I can have meetings for up to 100 people!
So will be having
1. Online drinks/coffee meets with friends
2. Bernardโs online WeeklyQuiz Night - if people are interested. Mondays seem like a good night to choose
I think we should ask the BSB and Pearson reps to a 3 hour meeting. I will make them all turn on their cameras, not leave their seats, not drink, not go to the loo and assume they agree with anything I propose if their tach fails. Seems fair, no??
If, like me, you are one of those people who the big black dog likes to visit, winter with its early dusks and late mornings can be extra hard. Add COVID and TRUMP and other worries and it can be a real struggle.
If we have a month lockdown but jury trials at continuing, how about we put some money into the theatres and cinemas and arts venues & use lots of recorders desperate to work by setting up nightingale courts and doing all the short cases which are clogging up the system
@shitbarrister
โOn reflection, your honour, I would not wish to dilute the impact of my first point with my less worthy second point. Those are my submissionsโ
Itโs a tough call but I suggest we all boycott the extended hours pilot. Refuse to do the cases (canโt be a breach of cab-rank) and refuse returns. Solicitors and bar must act together on this.
Maybe the whole disclosure scandal recently will make people realise why it is important to have active defence lawyers who protect clients, who resist the move to conveyor-belt justice and who won't be bullied into submission.
If I wrote an advocacy exercised based on BJโs shenanigans, with people like Nadine Dorries as witnesses, I would expect to be criticised for writing a wholly unrealistic exercise with unbelievable characters.
5. We all have disasters.Mine include:
- Making my nervous witness vomit in the box
- Calling a Magistrate "Mate" ("Thanks mate"as I left court)
- Going to BrentFORD instead of BrentWOOD
- Pressing a Panic alarm in the cells cos I thought it was an intercom. They answered tho!!
I started as a tenant at Lamb Building 30 years ago today! I thought Iโd stay for 6 months and move to a bigger set. Iโm glad I stayed. Thanks to my colleagues for making my professional home somewhere to which I am proud to belong ๐
3. I believe with all my being in a system of fair and open justice, where each and every participant is treated fairly, with dignity, and respect.
4. I cannot force the Government to fund the system adequately to ensure this happens. I do my best with whatโs there.
I suspect that in 1930s Germany there was the same feeling amongst people that rights were being eroded &that โsoon I will say enoughโ but the red line just kept moving one step further away with each erosion. As a Criminal Lawyer, the jury system is my red line and I say ENOUGH!
Ok - yesterday had more impact than I expected. 1300 likes,400 retweets and lots of new followers. Thanks for the support. What a lovely lot you are ๐
In addition to the exciting appointment as an honorary professor at Kent Uni, I have also just been invited and accepted an invitation to be a Visiting Professional Fellow in Criminal Law at Aston University. Exciting times. Fascinating practice and interesting teaching-lucky me
Hit a wall today, as Iโm sure many of you have and will. Totally fed up and grumpy, having to force myself to do anything etc etc. Getting through it though...
Happy New Year everyone. My old friends remain a joy & my new friends an unexpected blessing. If you are having tough times, I wish you comfort & relief, if you are having success, I hope it continues. May you know love, friendship & contentment. & may your dreams become reality
Well, the contest to be elected to the CBA Exec was fierce & bitter. I was the only QC candidate. Usually, such a situation would not preclude my coming third, but not here: I have been โelectedโ for the next 3 years. In the words of Spike Milligan.. โWhat are we gonna do now?โ
So pleased that we have been able to invite our pupils Eva Doerr, Tamasin Graham and Theo Lester to become permanent colleagues at
@LambBuilding
. Each has had a stellar pupillage and make me proud to be Head of Chambers. Congrats and every success to each of you ๐
To possess the moral high ground. Ensuring rights for everyone, however uncivilised, is the mark of a civilised country. It requires integrity and courage. I am proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with my colleagues Who believe this. One day, you may be grateful for us!
Spent today saying a formal goodbye to one of the dearest people in my life. The church was packed and the tide of warmth towards Ruth was overwhelming. She was unique & I am proud to have been her son-in-law
I have never known a time with so much negativity. Itโs impossible to say anything without someone attacking it or trying to undermine it, however upbeat or positive. This is a tough time for so many people, so letโs try and be kind to people, just a little
I pondered on this first Fatherโs Day without the main man, what I had learnt from him over the years. Here are some of what I now call โJimโs 10 Rules for lifeโ
1. No matter how amazing the menu at any restaurant, a โhelp yourselfโ salad bar is always exciting
Note to all those who have been up all night trying to deal with a last minute dumping onto your plate of a lot of complex material of the utmost importance in the expectation that you have to be ready to proceed today...welcome to the daily life of a criminal lawyer ๐
A number of pupils, tenants and many solicitor colleagues are putting themselves in the firing line and attending the Mags Court - even when told they donโt have to! I think seniors should experience what theyโre facing. Iโm going to do a Mags brief. Any other silks up for it?
Happy New Year everyone
May all BPTC students who deserve one get a pupillage
May all pupils who deserve one get a tenancy
And may any instructing solicitors who canโt find a deserving silk, send me the brief instead ๐คช
If you didnโt get pupillage, it must be hard reading the joyous messages of of those who got offers.
The bar is a profession where success and disappointment are a way of life. To do the job you need to believe in oneself your abilities. Your client deserves nothing less ...
@DeborahMeaden
1. Ben thinks he understands science
2. Ben thinks he is making a smart point
3. Ben doesnโt think before he thinks
4. Donโt be like Ben ๐คก
Was reminded yesterday that I have been in Lamb Building for 30 years this year. Seen so many changes but still my professional home and family. Good talented people full of integrity, great work, wonderfully unstuffy and normal. Proud of you all. Thanks for 30 years ๐ฅฐ
Had a lengthy meeting with BSB in which we were able to express our concerns & set out the problems which we had identified (from the info we received from students). Itโs clear that waiver is not something which they will entertain & nothing will persuade them to the contrary
As a silk It would be easy to acquiesce in the extended court hours project. Iโm fortunate enough to do the type of cases which wonโt fit that model. But all silks are supposedly leaders in the profession & itโs time to lead.
SAY NO
SUPPORT YOUR COLLEAGUES
BE UNITED
5. I am not alone - all colleagues in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) do the same.
6. I work in an โadversarialโ system of justice, which I believe is the fairest system most likely to expose both truth and lies. I am an unwavering supporter of juries.
I believe that I am now to regard myself as a โLoud mouthed activistโ - Good. I will use my loud mouth to speak up when people need me too (my clients generally seem to regard my efforts favourably btw) and I will actively pursue the rights of those who need my help.