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Trainees and Solicitor Wannabes
 Criminal Solicitor Dot Net»Trainees and Solicitor Wannabes
Subject Topic: Nervous NQ! Post ReplyPost New Topic
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MRS B
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Joined: 24 November 2006
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Posted: 08 February 2010 at 15:07 | IP Logged Quote MRS B
Hi guys
 
I'm a newly qualified solicitor and I am due to start at a firm where I did not undertake my training contract.
 
I am getting very nervous about the advocacy and wondered if you could give me some tips and advice!
 
Thanks in advance
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MRS B
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Posted: 08 February 2010 at 15:24 | IP Logged Quote MRS B
thank you! I will definitely make it clear that I am a newbie  
 
What are the big 'no-no's'?
 
 
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David Winch
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Posted: 08 February 2010 at 15:59 | IP Logged Quote David Winch
Let's face it if, on your first day, your mobile phone goes off whilst you are in court, you get into a slanging match with the bench over the legitimacy of their parentage and, during a break in proceedings, you are seen having a coffee and a chat with the witness currently in the course of his evidence - then things can only get better on your second day!!!

Good luck.

David
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MRS B
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Posted: 08 February 2010 at 16:04 | IP Logged Quote MRS B
I think the fact I'll be at a new firm is adding to my anxiety
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nerual29
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Posted: 13 February 2010 at 13:57 | IP Logged Quote nerual29
Try reading The Criminal Advocate's survival guide by Jan Davies for a few handy tips. 
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MRS B
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Posted: 13 February 2010 at 14:15 | IP Logged Quote MRS B
thanks very much. I have a copy Advocacy in the Magistrates' Court by James Welsh but I will check that one out too
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Professor
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Posted: 13 February 2010 at 16:20 | IP Logged Quote Professor
 
Mrs B,
 
Further to what Crimlaw99 has said, do not be afraid to ask more experienced advocates questions before/after a case. One of my colleagues once told me that when he first started off he would spend the whole day at the court hoping to get on last and even when he got on early he would remain in the court listening to other cases making notes and picking up tips and points and modeling his style after other more experienced advocates. For him the court was his classroom.
 
Usually the clerk is a good sounding board (if s/he is not too busy to breathe) and will usually not be impatient with mistakes if s/he knows that you have just started.
 
And as a last practical point .. its  useful to be friendly to the ushers/list callers
 
Best of Luck
 
Prof.
 
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Crimsy
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Posted: 13 February 2010 at 17:56 | IP Logged Quote Crimsy
When I first went to court, my then boss gave me the advice along the following lines:

1. Accept that you'll make a fool of yourself from time to time and you'll make progress

2. If you think that you know it all, you'll forever be rubbish - if in doubt, ask/bounce ideas

3. Watch and copy the good advocates

4. Preparation, preparation, confidence, confidence

5. If you are certain of a point, don't be bullied into submission - politely stand your ground

6. If you think you've cocked something up, go and watch one of the long-time qualified rubbish advocates (every court has a few - ask the ushers and dock officers for details) and you'll feel much better

His advice got me through the odd sticky patch!

Wish you well.
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Kelly S. A.2
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Posted: 14 February 2010 at 04:58 | IP Logged Quote Kelly S. A.2
The very first time that I appeared in Court also happened to be the very first day of the clerk.  It was an environmental prosecution.  The clerk looked at the wrong act and told the Mags that I was wrong.  I asked for the case to be stood down and tramped all the way back to the office to get Stones.  I was in that much of a panic that it escaped me that the Court might actually have Stones.  Having got Stones, I went back to Court armed with the right act. 

What I learnt from that was, if necessary ask for time to check things out.  When Manchester Mags was in the old building, the cps and defence would all use the same canteen.  From this I gathered that sometimes bouncing something off a prosecutor can help.

Don't worry too much.  You will know that you are getting somewhere when you start not to hear what the other advocates are saying in other cases.  This means that you have started to relax.  Good luck.
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MRS B
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Joined: 24 November 2006
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Posted: 14 February 2010 at 05:16 | IP Logged Quote MRS B
thanks very much everyone, very helpful advice.
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