I went to court (the Royal Courts of Justice, no less) this week for a proper hearing! It wasn't a full-on trial, but I can assure you it was just as exciting. It was amazing to experience true courtroom drama! It was incredibly tense as the judges delivered their verdicts; I can't imagine how the actual clients must have felt at the time. It was also great to see two top QCs in action. They make advocacy seem so easy but anyone who's tried it will know that's definitely not the case.
Actually this leads me onto a practical point about being a Trainee Solicitor. One thing I didn't realise beforehand is how much of a privileged position us trainees are in. I don't know if this is the case in other firms, but at my firm they are very much of the mindset that we are there to learn as well as do work for them. They are perfectly content for us to take time out of chargeable work to do a little research if we feel we need to read more about an area of law or a practice point. My whole excursion to court was on a case in which I had next to no involvement, but I asked to go and they agreed that it'd be great experience. When I compare my situation to that of the paralegals or legal executives - who constantly have to worry about meeting their billing targets - I do indeed feel quite privileged!
Anyway, LEX returns tomorrow. The pessimist inside me is flourishing & I'm quite apprehensive of what she'll say about the work I've done on her cases! However, my supervisor says I've done well and that LEX should be very grateful.
Righto, it's Sunday evening and as much as I'm enjoying this blogging thing, I think I'd like to think about something other than work for the next few hours! Tune in next time when I will consider all the blundering errors I have made on the job so far :-)
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