become solicitor first.....

There are plenty of people posting who have a certainty of expression which might help them at the Bar. But, alas, it is more important to be right

...

Are you referring to me? I can accept being wrong, I just cannot accept that the Bar is all about getting a first class from Oxbridge as Nana_Julia (who is actually not an Oxbridgeian afaik) is always trying to intimate.

If you want to work at Brick Court or One Essex Court, then it might well be, but I guess many people would just be happy to become barristers, period.

Reply 62

Yorkshire_Laura

This actually does appear to be a prominent QC from Park Court Chambers in Leeds. If not, someone is being rather mean using his name whilst writing in clear prose on a student chat site.

I'm certain it's him.

Reply 63

Wow- I have to say you are indeed very lucky and of course without any doubt you deserve it as you must have worked very hard to have got to where you are today.

I'm pleased you have decided to share your thoughts and experiences with us, some of us have a real desire to become barristers but like myself see the finance as an obstacle.

Can I please direct my initial question to yourself. If I was to become a solicitor for a few years and then head to the bar would that increase my chances of gaining pupillage?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank You for your time.

Regards,
Anisah :smile:

Reply 64

Pernell Whitaker

I'm certain it's him.

I agree with you. This is in fact true.

Reply 65

Well if it is not I am sure the real version will hear about this soon. It is actually nice to hear from someone with a genuine insight into life at the bar instead of the usual random casual bickering.

Reply 66

Pernell Whitaker

On a slightly separate note, I personally don't think it matters much where you graduate from but it's the degree classification that matters the most. e.g. A first from Sussex or some other university is better than a 2.1 from Oxford.

Simon- does an oxbridge student really stand more chance of gaining pupillage? Although I am going to oxford, I don't think it's fair to say that those that graduate from other universities are not looked upon in a similar manner.

Thank You.

Regards,
Anisah :smile:

Reply 67

Yorkshire_Laura

Hey Laura,

Yep, I agree with you. It is very helpful.

Reply 68

Simon Myerson QC

No it really is me! I don't know how to prove it, except that I have answered Anisah's question on the blog itself so I obviously have the sign-in rights there.

Laura: thank you for saying my prose is clear.

Pernell: I wasn't referring to you, although the temptation to say I was is almost overwhelming. I note the Scots flag - I think that, in those circumstances, the phrase you are looking for is actually 'Are you talking about me Jimmy?' :smile:

I wasn't referring to anyone. I am trying very hard not to tell you how to behave or criticise any of you in public. That isn't my job and I'm not your teacher. I am trying to make general comments which may be of use to all. And I am far too experienced to fall into the (doubtless accidental) trap of commenting on your relationship with Nana_Julia...

Also, I have met some hugely nice and capable people from Brick Court. I think that those sets are sensible enough to know that they won't survive without getting the best - wherever they're from; whatever the colour, religion, sex or sexual orientation. The difficulty is that Oxbridge has traditionally been reliable in pointing people like that towards those sets.

But I would encourage you all to go where you can and do your best from there. I was told that my set didn't do commercial work. I got silk, partially at least, on the back of exactly that sort of work (hence how I know people from Brick Court). All things are possible if you believe...

Reply 69

I have had some quite positive feedback from good sets like Brick Court and my first degree is not from Oxford although I am studying towards a BCL now. Obviously they interview around 70 people but it still demonstrates that they do consider the non-Oxbridge types at least at the interview stage.

Reply 70

Yorkshire_Laura

Well you're not really non-Oxbridge though. The BCL is arguably more prestigious than any undergraduate degree.

Reply 71

Simon Myerson QC

No it really is me! I don't know how to prove it, except that I have answered Anisah's question on the blog itself so I obviously have the sign-in rights there.

Hello Everyone,

Yep I do believe this is Simon Myerson QC as I have had responses to my questions. Go and check it out and see for yourself. you can also check out articles on the times.

Anyway- I am sorry to throw so many questions in the air but have you specialised in criminal law?

In relation to silk and becoming a barrister, I think noting is impossible and I respect your comments and advice provided as it is very encouraging. It's nice for people to provide encouraging advice as I have come across many people including barristers that try to put you off.

Guys- I'm sure we can all do it!

Regards,
Anisah :smile:

Reply 72

Simon, how do you explain the guy with a 2.1 from South Bank becoming a barrister, yet the 2.1 from Nottingham with an LLM and experience etc etc not?

Reply 73

Well I am not saying anything Pernell- I ought to be an Oxford 'dude' because man is this course difficult, so difficult one does not know where to start, so bye bye for now.

Reply 74

Simon Myerson QC

If it helps I have done a quick breakdown of my set. There are 55 of us - 12 or so are Oxbridge. I have counted BCL's as well because I think Pernell is right about that.

Of the junior tenants (say below 7 years call) 3 are Oxbridge. That is a higher proportion than might be expected. It could be a blip, but I suspect that it reflects the growing attraction of being out of London.

I am afraid that being Oxbridge will almost certainly get you a mini-pupillage and will be a help in getting you an interview. After that it's pretty irrelevant, but overall it clearly assists.

Reply 75

Simon Myerson QC

Ok last one for today people - you can put your traffic through the blog and I will try and post when I see what people need.

Ani: I practice in crime amongst other things. One of the great advantages of the provinces is that it is not quite so necessary to specialise.

Pernell: serendipity has a lot to do with it. It's about the person, not the qualification. Oxbridge says that the person is bright (that may not be invariably true but it is generally true) and that is important. But it isn't the only thing. If I met them both I might understand better, or I might be left scratching my head. But it isn't anyone's fault. Sometimes things go badly.

PS: the answer to the thread deletion point might be because the first question, although uncomfortable, was genuinely asked and your response was felt to be an attempt to undermine the discussion rather than contribute to it. I don't know if that is so, but it's a thought.

Reply 76

Simon Myerson QC

That is very interesting. I vaguely remember when I spent time with the oxford 3 paper chamber, the barristers that I met were mostly oxbridge graduates. I think I have only come across one that graduated LLB from London and later LLM from Oxford.

Regards,
Anisah

Reply 77

Simon Myerson QC

Pernell: serendipity has a lot to do with it. It's about the person, not the qualification. Oxbridge says that the person is bright (that may not be invariably true but it is generally true) and that is important. But it isn't the only thing. If I met them both I might understand better, or I might be left scratching my head. But it isn't anyone's fault. Sometimes things go badly.

Of course, you're not suggesting that non-Oxbridge = not bright, are you?

I don't even think you need to answer that.

Reply 78

Simon Myerson QC

Simon- Thank you very much for the prompt response. It's much appreciated. sorry I've asked loads of questions today but I apprecaite your time and effort to answer them.

Speak to you soon.

take Care everyone- I have exams in 3 weeks so need to revise now. :smile:

Bye bye... :wavey:

Reply 79