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Institute of Barristers’ Clerks and Young Barristers’ Committee
This session, jointly organised by the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks and the Young Barristers’ Committee, did just what it said on the tin. For anyone starting out in practice, it was gold dust.
For Katherine Duncan, a family practitioner of three years’ Call, a dose of self-reflection helps. Where are you now, how did you get there and where do you want to go? Go out with your clerk for a glass of wine from time to time informally to address these questions, honestly. Diversify your revenue streams: develop some private work alongside publicly funded and direct access work. It can improve cash flow.
Annabel Thomas, a litigation partner, urged everyone to keep their chambers’ profile up to date. Don’t be shy – come and tell us what you are doing, she implored. Be flexible about the way you work (embrace Skype). Provide detail about time narratives (not just ‘10 hours perusing papers’) and be realistic about your time estimates.
Katie Cromwell, a clerk, focused on public access work. Far from alienating solicitors this can actually help you to develop stronger relationships if you can spot referral opportunities in both directions. Beware of taking a 5.30 call on a Friday afternoon. Invariably it’s a vexatious litigant, she cautioned. For Tony Burgess, a deputy senior clerk, getting to know your clerk is vital. Not necessarily spending every weekend fishing together but investing time in getting to know each other. Establish how your clerk can best give you feedback. Have regular practice reviews, at least annually. Get to know the clerking team as a whole so they can cross-sell you.
What really turns a clerk off about a young barrister? Answers varied: Saying ‘yes’ to everything. Two months into your tenancy, saying what you believe your market value is. Always respond to an inquiry even if only to say you will get back. Don’t disappear into your room; check in with the clerking team.
It may all sound rather basic but there was a lot here that young practitioners can so easily neglect at their cost. Honesty, trust and good communication are at the heart of developing a practice at the Bar. Spending a day in the clerks’ room is a good place from which to start. ●
This session, jointly organised by the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks and the Young Barristers’ Committee, did just what it said on the tin. For anyone starting out in practice, it was gold dust.
For Katherine Duncan, a family practitioner of three years’ Call, a dose of self-reflection helps. Where are you now, how did you get there and where do you want to go? Go out with your clerk for a glass of wine from time to time informally to address these questions, honestly. Diversify your revenue streams: develop some private work alongside publicly funded and direct access work. It can improve cash flow.
Annabel Thomas, a litigation partner, urged everyone to keep their chambers’ profile up to date. Don’t be shy – come and tell us what you are doing, she implored. Be flexible about the way you work (embrace Skype). Provide detail about time narratives (not just ‘10 hours perusing papers’) and be realistic about your time estimates.
Katie Cromwell, a clerk, focused on public access work. Far from alienating solicitors this can actually help you to develop stronger relationships if you can spot referral opportunities in both directions. Beware of taking a 5.30 call on a Friday afternoon. Invariably it’s a vexatious litigant, she cautioned. For Tony Burgess, a deputy senior clerk, getting to know your clerk is vital. Not necessarily spending every weekend fishing together but investing time in getting to know each other. Establish how your clerk can best give you feedback. Have regular practice reviews, at least annually. Get to know the clerking team as a whole so they can cross-sell you.
What really turns a clerk off about a young barrister? Answers varied: Saying ‘yes’ to everything. Two months into your tenancy, saying what you believe your market value is. Always respond to an inquiry even if only to say you will get back. Don’t disappear into your room; check in with the clerking team.
It may all sound rather basic but there was a lot here that young practitioners can so easily neglect at their cost. Honesty, trust and good communication are at the heart of developing a practice at the Bar. Spending a day in the clerks’ room is a good place from which to start. ●
Institute of Barristers’ Clerks and Young Barristers’ Committee
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
Giovanni D’Avola explores the issue of over-citation of unreported cases and the ‘added value’ elements of a law report
Louise Crush explores the key points and opportunities for tax efficiency
Westgate Wealth Management Ltd is a Partner Practice of FTSE 100 company St. James’s Place – one of the top UK Wealth Management firms. We offer a holistic service of distinct quality, integrity, and excellence with the aim to build a professional and valuable relationship with our clients, helping to provide them with security now, prosperity in the future and the highest standard of service in all of our dealings.
Is now the time to review your financial position, having reached a career milestone? asks Louise Crush
If you were to host a dinner party with 10 guests, and you asked them to explain what financial planning is and how it differs to financial advice, you’d receive 10 different answers. The variety of answers highlights the ongoing need to clarify and promote the value of financial planning.
Most of us like to think we would risk our career in order to meet our ethical obligations, so why have so many lawyers failed to hold the line? asks Flora Page
If your current practice environment is bringing you down, seek a new one. However daunting the change, it will be worth it, says Anon Barrister
Creating advocacy opportunities for juniors is now the expectation but not always easy to put into effect. Tom Mitcheson KC distils developing best practice from the Patents Court initiative already bearing fruit
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Let’s hear it for the assessors, says Dame Anne Rafferty of the KC Selection Panel. And to make silk assessors’ lives a little easier when applicants come calling in May, Dame Anne fields some commonly asked questions