Pupils Andrew, Bharat and Sophie share their experiences and insights of their first week ‘on their feet’

Our pupils are now on their feet and accepting instructions since 4th April 2022. Here, they share their first week's schedule and tell us more about their experiences.

Andrew Mohamdee

Diary

Monday: received my first set of papers. Spent the day sifting through the bundle and drafting a skeleton argument regarding which Local Authority had jurisdiction for the proceedings.

Tuesday: prepared and sent a case summary to court, followed by an advocates’ meeting ahead of a hearing.

Wednesday: sifting through the papers for a different matter. Prepared and sent a case summary, and attended an advocates’ meeting.

Thursday: appeared in Court on behalf of a Local Authority at a case management hearing in care proceedings. Received papers and prepared for a NMO case listed for Friday.

Friday: Friday: in the morning I represented a Local Authority at what was an early final hearing for the discharge of the care order. I then travelled to Liverpool to represent the respondent to a non-molestation order application.

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• What was the most interesting case you had on your first two weeks on your feet?

I have enjoyed working on all the cases for which I’ve been instructed. Of particular interest has been a case which was listed for a financial dispute resolution (FDR) hearing. This is an area that I have had considerable experience and exposure to, both in my academic and work history, so it is satisfying that I am now able to advise and represent clients in their financial matters.

• How have you found it so far doing your own cases?

It has been immensely enjoyable and rewarding to work on my own cases. Each case offers its unique set of circumstances and challenges, and embracing the opportunity to work through the issues and propose a fair outcome has been thoroughly satisfying and fulfilling.

Bharat Jangra

Diary

Monday 4 April - Today was my first day ‘on my feet’ and the first day of my second six. I had a small claims trial for credit hire charges at 2pm over the telephone.

I undertook my case preparation, working around attending the weekend PIBA (Personal Injury Bar Association) Conference in Oxford. It was a great weekend of lectures and opportunities to meet other practitioners at the PI Bar.

Once I had read through the papers, I sent an email to my Instructing Solicitors to raise some further queries and to confirm instructions on various points, credit hire can be a legal minefield.

I was able to speak with the solicitor during the morning and subsequently able to finalise my submissions. However, at 12:45pm, the solicitor got in touch to let me know I had been stood down as the hearing had been vacated. At least I'll be prepped for next time!

Tuesday 5 April - Today was a Stage 3 hearing via telephone, to assess how much an individual was to receive in compensation for their injury. Once I had reviewed the papers, I advised the Client that we were likely to face Part 36 cost consequences if we did not accept the Claimant's offer. The Client was unable to accept the offer and we had to proceed to the hearing. Following the Judge's determination, my client did receive Part 36 cost consequences against it which I needed to calculate.

Wednesday 6 April - I had an application hearing to apply for permission to obtain further medical evidence to assist in quantifying the Claimant's claim, if successful. There were also complicating factors surrounding the application, which did not assist my client. A compromise position was reached for my client to, in effect, renew their application at the conclusion of the liability trial if they win due to take place within the next month. This ensured that the trial date was not lost and my client had not suffered any detriment by having their application refused. 

For Thursday and Friday, I remained in Chambers and worked on papers, advising on the merits of an employment claim and finalising an advice regarding a Highways Act claim. It has been a varied week with lots going on, and I have enjoyed every bit of it.

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• What was the most interesting case you had on your first two weeks on your feet?

The most interesting case so far has been the application to adduce further medical evidence I did on Wednesday 6 April. A tactical decision needed to be made, as agreed with my instructing solicitors, to make sure that the Client's position was maintained and nothing happened to their detriment, which was a very real possibility. 

• How have you found it so far doing your own cases?

It has been an enjoyable experience but there's also been equal amounts of nerves and stress. However, I have been reminding myself that this has been a goal I have been working towards for the past eight years and I'm just happy I'm able to do this job. I'll be taking each day as it comes and looking forward to what the next six months bring.

Sophie Watson

Diary

My first case was on Tuesday remotely. I was extremely nervous but excited. This turned out to be a challenging case as it had every credit hire issue in dispute and costs had to be assessed on a standard basis. Despite this I enjoyed it and felt thoroughly welcomed to the profession by all those involved in the hearing.

I attended my first in person hearing for a road traffic liability dispute on the Thursday. It was great to be in person and further test out my advocacy skills.

On the other three days I am fortunate to be provided time to still observe and learn from my supervisors. I saw day one of an Inquest, an occupier’s liability conference, a fast-track road traffic accident trial, and several small claims relating to credit hire and road traffic accidents. I certainly took away vital tips from each to aid my own practice.

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• What was the most interesting case you had on your first two weeks on your feet?

It’s difficult to choose as everything is fresh and exciting at this stage. However, my road traffic liability small claim would have to be the most interesting. I had to cross-examine two witnesses on the accident which put my advocacy to the test!

• How have you found it so far doing your own cases?

I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It is good to put to use all that we have learned throughout the first six of pupillage. I am enjoying testing out my advocacy style in a range of different hearings. It has also made me appreciate how fortunate I am to have such helpful supervisors and colleagues, who have been there for me every step of the way.