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Why do you want to be a barrister and what do you think the role of a barrister is?

Lady Narcissus

Critically discuss...

(This is my least favourite interview question because it is almost too straightforward)

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

Chruchill

Being a Barrister seems to be one of them jobs where you never have a day that is the same as the next, in court one day, giving legal opinions in private the next, while facing constant intellectual challenges and still getting the chance to talk with others. Basically not the typical office job - which I find very appealing. Also I, quite strangely (although not for this forum), find the law fascinating. (wonder how many 'fascinating's this thread will get? :biggrin:

)

Reply 2

Stealth-Mode

Why:

Because it requires the perfect blend of performance and intellectual rigour. It requires specialist knowledge and a creative mind to wield it to one's own advantage. The profession is one where the practitioners success depends entirely on ones on merit (theoretically- at least!!) and not on promotion, or salary. This is why it appeals.

The role of a Barrister:

To be independent, honorable and always exemplary.

Reply 3

Stealth-Mode

Hull_Fan_Sid

Critically discuss...

(This is my least favourite interview question because it is almost too straightforward)

so what answer did you give when asked?

Reply 4

Lush Law

I just much preferred mini pupillages to work experience with solicitors. I also love mooting and advocacy of any kind, and I want to put my degree to practical use everyday in the job I do. I don't have much interest in commercial/corporate stuff, it's dull and boring, and I know I'd end up doing that if I trained as a solicitor at a big law firm.

Reply 5

Lady Narcissus

Stealth-Mode

so what answer did you give when asked?

Something similar to Solemn until he chased me into a complicated corner and then asked 'so your job is to tell the client what to do'?

I sort of said no just advise them; I cannot force them into anything! Then he said well they might want you to and you should face the fact that people like being told what to do.

It sort of got all confused after that and messy from thereon. Then he looked peeved.

Reply 6

Stealth-Mode

tough interview.

hhhmmm: 'people like being told what to do'...and then sue when they were told the wrong thing...save your ass, by strongly advising ;p

edit: barristers no longer benefit from 'out of court' negligence immunity, do they?

Reply 7

chalks

Role of a barrister?

1. Refuse to travel to instructing solicitors’ offices but rather require them and the client to attend your chambers and squeeze into your ridiculously poky room for a conference. This will involve sweeping files off chairs and offering instant coffee by way of refreshment.
2. Acknowledging that you haven’t had time to read instructing solicitors’ brief to counsel or any of the supporting papers as though this is an impressive sign of how busy and popular you are.
3. Make vague pronouncements in conference about prospects of success. These will never exceed 60% and the figure will magically undermine solicitors estimate of success by 15% much to the consternation of attending clients.
4. Make unauthorised approaches to your opposite number, outside court, as to settling the case thereby immediately destroying solicitors’ settlement strategy and months of carefully developed commercial pressure.
5. Employing terrifyingly all-knowing clerks whose sole role it is to intimidate and confuse trainees who have had to call up to check on counsel’s availability: “John? Yep, he’s a good senior junior. About 10 years call. Very busy mind you. Could do you a half day in conference in May.”
6. Days before trial, request that instructing solicitors gather vast swathes of previously un-required evidence. Relevant witnesses are likely to be resident in unglamorous overseas destinations or Hull.
7. During a hearing glare furiously at instructing solicitors when you can’t find the right page in your bundle. Such glares may be accompanied by dramatic shaking of head and/or the exchange of “solicitors eh?” looks with opposing counsel.
8. Constantly re-adjust gown during the middle of submissions to the bench. Is it so difficult to get one that fits?
9. Utter refusal to consider any use of IT tools whether those be case management/doc review applications or MS Word.
10. Leave everything to the last minute.
11. Call instructing solicitors with ludicrous document requests shortly before submissions are due etc.
12. Take glory for all successful interim applications (“Well, it was a difficult application but I thought the judge was with me&#8221 :wink:

and pass the buck onto solicitors for all unsuccessful ones (“Well, I never thought that we were going to get up on that point: I don’t really know why you thought we should bring it&#8221 :wink:

. Cue aghast looks from solicitors and daggers from clients who will now refuse to pay the bill.
13. On the back of apparent woeful preparation, limited reading of the papers, poor grasp of the underlying strategy, ignorance of applicable case-law and vague understanding of the factual matrix deliver a spectacular opening statement, a masterful cross-examination or a glorious side-step of a tricky judicial query. Sometimes, just sometimes, you’re bloody marvellous.

Reply 8

Lady Narcissus

Great may-be I'll try that next time.

Reply 9

Stealth-Mode

and don't forget to catch the response on camera, so that the wold at large will forever more enjoy the spectacle upon the source of all entertainment: youtube.

Reply 10

Lord Hysteria

Well ... in my opinion, the best part of being a lawyer is presenting a case:
A barrister need not only have a disputed knowledge of the subject area - after all you can't be a novice if the defendant/accused needs your representation, but also have an exquisite way of presenting it.

This is where, for me, my heart starts to pump like mad and I begin to play a game of wit and tactical manoeuvres. Sometimes you can anticipate a question you don’t like, and manoeuvre yourself out of them.
What I also enjoy is judicial intervention – I am quite weird most people dread this part – but it can really make you shine. The way you present the case is so crucial even if you don’t stand on much legal ground.
Lastly, I have always loved the mannerisms of the legal profession and the prestige it entails.

Reply 11

Wangers

Hull_Fan_Sid

Critically discuss...

(This is my least favourite interview question because it is almost too straightforward)

Because every time you're in the areana the blood starts pumping, you get a slight tangy taste of fear and you get the curious sensation of anxiaty and overwhelming excitment at the same time?

Reply 12

Lord Hysteria

Wangers

Because every time you're in the areana the blood starts pumping, you get a slight tangy taste of fear and you get the curious sensation of anxiaty and overwhelming excitment at the same time?

Yeap that's the life of a barrister for you.

Reply 13

Stealth-Mode

Wangers

Because every time you're in the areana the blood starts pumping, you get a slight tangy taste of fear and you get the curious sensation of anxiaty and overwhelming excitment at the same time?

I wonder how long that feeling lasts though....I'd quit as soon as it stops, i think

Reply 14

TommehR

Solemn showed me a nice quote from Simon Myerson QC the other day:

"I would bitterly resent seeing some moron screw up my beautifully prepared case by his/her inadequate preparation, crass questionning and slothful appearance."

I'm not looking forward to being a solicitor and having the possibility of having to instruct some moron. That's a fairly good reason why you might want to become a barrister.

Reply 15

Stealth-Mode

How many moronic, slothful barristers who have little skill in questioning actually practice? Such qualities are antithetical to the pre-requisites of any tenancy, i would have thought.

I suspect that quote is hyperbolic.

Reply 16

TommehR

Stealth-Mode

I suspect that quote is hyperbolic.

Obviously. :p:

Reply 17

chalks

Stealth-Mode

You'd be surprised.

Reply 18

Stealth-Mode

lol.....you math weirdo ;p

Reply 19

Lewisy-boy

Quality post chalks... quite humorous. As for answering the question, maybe you should come up with your own individual reasons rather than just taking all these answers and combining the best bits of them :wink: