I'm a barrister AMA

[lionbo]

Two years ago I qualified as a barrister. It's been tough, but I think there is a lot of misconceptions around. Feel free to AMA

How do you defend someone when you know they are guilty? Do they tell you and admit their guilt? Do you then come up with a defence? What's the worse case you have defended? Is there a case that you have walked away from? Have you ever been revolted by a person because of their crime? Do you like your job?

How do you engage with an immensely aggressive opponent? For example. I am the respondent in my case.. My barrister is up against what you could describe as a pitbull in the applicants barrister..
How does this style impact you when you're representing your client? Also.. Do barristers not feel a sense of guilt when you're cross examining an obvious victim of domestic violence and portraying them to be inaccurate and a liar when the evidence prevails otherwise?
Or is it simply a fact that you are paid to do a job!

Which coffee do you like to prepare and serve the most?

What type of law do you practise?

If you're a female, do you still find there's discrimination due to your sex?

I've worked with female barristers in the past but find they are still few and far between.

@liverpool1981 I am no longer practicing in Criminal law but I did for my first year of practice. The majority of the people I represented were more than likely guilty. More often than not they do not admit their guilt, sometimes they do. If they do, it limited the way I represented them as I couldn't openly lie in open court- I.e say they didn't do it, but could say that the evidence wasn't strong, or the prosecution hadn't proved the crime beyond reasonable doubt.

As barristers, we can never 'come up' with a defence. I would listen to what the defendant told me before explaining to them they could possibly have a defence of XYZ.

As a barrister you are not allowed to walk away from a case because it's awful or you morally don't agree. Rules are in place to prevent this happening so that everyone is represented in court. Legitimate reasons are permitted such as a clash of cases or illness etc. However if you are found to reject a case because of the facts you can face disciplinary or even be struck off.

I have been revolted a few times by crimes, but often it's sadness at the situations the defendants have landed themselves in- although this doesn't mean to say they shouldn't be locked up. Yes! I do really love my job!

@Pebbledashery all barristers have different advocacy styles. Mine is not aggressive, I feel that it often does more harm than good. Other barristers will feel that it is more effective, so it is simply down to personal style.

If I am opposing someone who is aggressive in nature, I often become even less forceful, as it will make my opponent look more unreasonable and will therefore be helpful to my case.

In reference to a domestic violence witness, it has been awful and I am glad that I am no longer in criminal practice. However, all evidence must be tested in order to see how strong it is (and that was my job) and it is for the jury to decide who is telling the truth.

@JuniLoolaPalooza I used to practice in criminal but I am now predominantly a family law barrister (I do take a few other cases in other areas too).

@CleverCatty, I wouldn't say discrimination as such. The training and hours are absolutely gruelling and generally not compatible with a family life. I have managed to make it work for a variety of reasons (I do have 3 children) but it has been very tough. There are very few female barristers at the bar and even less make it to QC. This is something that most definitely needs to change

Do you get frustrated about the amount of wasted time in court?
I did jury service a few years ago and there were so so many delays such as the court not being warm enough or not being able to find a witness. And then when we were in court they only seemed to go for 45 minutes before everyone having a break.

What area are you working in now?

Do you hang out with other barristers outside of work? What if you came up against a friend or acquaintance does this happen very often?

Do you ever speak to the judge and they tell you what their judgement will be beforehand?

How much do you get paid? When I used a barrister their hourly fee was so high I couldn't believe it! Where does all the money go, do you have to have insurance or something?

Were you outgoing in school / as a child? I can't think of anything worse than speaking in public!!!

What a levels did you do, did you go to Oxbridge / Redbrick University

Were you privately educated?

Sorry for all the questions, I have always wanted to know this but don't know any barristers in real life!

Also who pays you? I imagine in criminal law a lot of criminals don’t have the funds to be directly paying their barrister

My son is taking his GCSE options and is really keen on a career in law. Would you please tell me/him what your education path was in terms of what subjects you studied and where/when?

Also, why do you think you chose to become a barrister rather than a solicitor?

Many thanks!

Have you ever seen any miscarriages of the family court system when children have been unnecessarily removed from the resident parent and placed with the NRP?
In your opinion as a Barrister, are Judges become better aligned and more familiar with Domestic abuse?

What do you/barristers in general, really think of solicitor advocates?

We are currently in a litigation situation and have met with our barrister once so far. We will have contact in the future I'm sure.

Anyway, he was frighteningly whip sharp! Actually genuinely nice and pleasant, but his grasp of detail was breathtaking.

Are all barristers so intellectually gifted?

How do you feel about the split profession?

To what extent do you speak directly to your clients, versus speaking to their solicitor?

@Turnedouttoes there can be a lot of time wasted, but often when juries are asked to leave it's for legal applications to be made or for matters to be discussed with the judge which could prejudice the jury. Although a lot of the court buildings are also not suitable and shouldn't be used anymore and they can also cause delays.

@Aircontrail I don't 'hang out' with other barristers, but often we will go for a few drinks after work. There aren't that many barristers so the majority of the time I either know (or have know of) my opponent. Our hourly fees may seem expensive, but my education cost me a lot of money. The fees just for bar school (after university) is £20,000 and that is without the time and effort that often goes into cases behind the scenes as well as insurance/books etc.

I was very outgoing as a child! I attended a state school, average college and a red brick university. However, I got a very high first class degree and I completed a large amount and variety of legal work experience before undertaking training. I was also awarded a major scholarship which also helped massively. My background is working class, no one in my family went to university and I grew up in a council flat. So I feel very fortune to be where I am now.

@Waspie in terms of GCSE's I really don't think it matters - although the grades themselves do! Regarding A levels, generally the more academic the better- although drama could also be useful. I studied academic subjects (including law) and achieved high grades. I attended a red brick university due to circumstances at the time, but when on to achieve a 1:1 at degree. A lot of chambers will not 'blank out' the university on application forms so it is ultimately the results that matter the most, not the subjects themselves.

I chose to become a barrister as I like the practical side of the profession, I enjoy standing up in court and seeing my work come to fruition, as well as researching lots of different points of law.

Ultimately, my decision to choose the barrister route was made for me when I was awarded a major scholarship. Without it, I would not have been able to afford the training required and would have taken the solicitor route.

@Pebbledashery not really, no. I also think judges are much more aware of the realities of domestic abuse. Although work does still need to be done, I firmly believe having more female judges would go a long way in achieving this.

@NeverTrustaRabbit, I don't really have an opinion on solicitor advocates!

@samanthawashington, I would say academic ability is essential for a career as a barrister. Competition is so fierce and the job is mentally exhausting. I also think being logical as well as acting with integrity is absolutely crucial.

@Waspie, a lot of chambers WILL blank out the university an applicant attended! Sorry.

I think your amazing to study and work this hard whilst been a Mum to 3 kids. How do you juggle it all?

What do you think of magistrates?

@lionbo that's brilliant, thank you! It's reassuring to hear you say you attended a state school. The only other barrister I know went to public school, first from Oxford and her uncle is a judge so, whilst she is a lovely, funny and very intelligent woman, her background is very different to my sons.

My son is dramatically inclined (member of a youth theatre group) and very bright. He enjoys English, history and science. He can argue debate until the cows come home so we just need to channel that appropriately! Your reply has encouraged him greatly so thanks again for replying. Best wishes.

I had to use a barrister in a civil dispute. My impression of them was that they were ferociously bright and had an astonishing attention to detail. However, their main duty seemed to be 'managing their client's expectations'. Have you ever had a case where you were doing your duty in this respect but the other side were not and just kept encouraging their clients to wing it.

Thanks OP!
Two questions if I may

• My brother is in his second year of training, he has got pupilage, any advice for him?
• I'm a police officer - what are yours and the views generally from other barristers of the police?