Are there any experiences barristers or solicitor advocates around?

[Eileen101]

I have just had a terrible day in court and was on the receiving end of the wrath of the judge in relation to decisions made by my client.

How do you decompress from this? Feeling very stressed and like I should quit 😪

Criminal or civil?

Civil

If the relevant decisions were made by your client, and not on your advice, then in reality the judge’s wrath was directed at your client and not you personally. The judge can’t know, of course, whether bad advice or a foolish client was the cause of the bad decisions - but in either case you’re the client’s representative in court so the judge’s harsh words have to be spoken to you. It’s not nice, but it’s part of the job. It happens to every advocate once in a while. If you are confident that you are not personally at fault, try to chalk it up as valuable practice in developing a thick skin!

I'm a solicitor (without higher rights) but have seen plenty a judge in action.

My first court experience was a mini pupillage shadowing a long in the tooth barrister up before the then Master of the Rolls (Sir Anthony Clarke).

Jesus H Christ. My barrister mentor had been in Chambers beforehand, at least 20 fag butts in his ashtray, chain smoking all morning. He was stood up for four hours, breaks only for the grabbing of physical files. There were MUTLIPLE times in that that he had his arse absolutely handed to him...for tiny tiny things. MoR just having a bad day. I know it's easy to say, but don't take it personally. Some of them might judge be megalomaniacs that can take out their unrelated issues on you because you can't talk back.

Oh, spoiler: the above experience was what confirmed to me I wanted the easier life in a "normal" City law firm office instead, thank you very much.