A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending a speed networking event at Exeter University, where I spent the evening speaking with aspiring lawyers about careers in the legal profession. One question came up again and again: what is it like to move from life as a solicitor to practice at the Bar?
Having spent nine years qualified as a solicitor before coming to the Bar, it is a question I am often asked. Speaking with the students prompted me to reflect on just how much my years as a solicitor influence the way I now practice as a barrister. My time as a solicitor has shaped the way I approach time management, documentation, client care, and the barrister–solicitor relationship.
Timekeeping is both harder and easier at the Bar. On the one hand, my time is my own; on the other, I have little control over when papers arrive or how my caseload develops. It is certainly harder to plan my time as predictably as when I was a solicitor. However, the core skills of organisation and planning remain invaluable in ensuring that cases are thoroughly prepared.
Wherever possible, I ensure that my case note for a hearing is prepared in good time to allow my instructing solicitor to obtain their client’s instructions. I remember well how difficult it can be to obtain feedback on documents sent at the last minute. Allowing clients time to properly consider advice or draft documents not only improves the process but also helps build confidence in the representation they will receive.
My background knowledge of the forms, procedures, information gathering, and evidence required to present a fully prepared case before the court has also proved extremely useful in practice at the Bar. Ensuring that the correct evidence is before the court is often crucial to the outcome of a case. If material is not agreed for inclusion in the bundle, persuading the court that it should be admitted at the eleventh hour can be extremely difficult.
For that reason, a timely conference and a fresh pair of eyes on the evidence can make a real difference. Reviewing the material carefully can help ensure that everything which ought to be in the bundle is there, enabling the case to be presented clearly and persuasively.
Of course, a conference is not required in every matter, but it can be an invaluable opportunity to meet a client, build rapport, and help them feel more comfortable ahead of the hearing. My years as a solicitor, working closely with clients from all walks of life and guiding them through the detail of their cases before proceedings, have given me a strong appreciation of how emotional the court process can be.
It goes without saying that different clients require different approaches. Whilst clear and direct advice is essential, the effectiveness of that advice often depends on how it is communicated. Even where a client’s prospects of success may be limited, it is important that they know their barrister will provide realistic advice, represent their position robustly, and support them throughout the process, regardless of the ultimate decision.
What may feel like “just another case” in a barrister’s busy diary may represent the culmination of months—or even years—of effort and anxiety for a client. Remembering how much has led to that day in court can be invaluable in guiding them through both the practical process and the emotions of the hearing.
Court remains my happy place, and I continue to enjoy both the challenge and the satisfaction that advocacy brings. It should never be forgotten that it is a privilege to be trusted with the months, and sometimes years, of preparation that have gone into a case, and to be given the opportunity to present a client’s position before the court.
Finally, as a solicitor I always appreciated barristers who provided prompt updates after hearings, made time for a quick phone call when needed, and offered an honest appraisal of my client’s case. Now that I have moved over to the “dark side”, I try to be the sort of barrister I always wanted to instruct as a solicitor (many of whom, I should add, are at Magdalen Chambers!).
Speaking with students at Exeter was a helpful reminder that there are many routes into the profession, and that every stage of the journey brings skills that shape the lawyer you ultimately become.