Patient partner

The firm has a big case about to start, and I asked the partner about it. He sent me details of the action, which I then read and fired back a few Qs. Was very surprised (and more than a little pleased) when the partner came to my desk this afternoon and went over my questions. I know it's not a very big thing, but it was great that he did so!

A case load

Have finally reached that stage... I have my own caseload. Now I'll need to juggle priorities, watch deadlines, keep track of my files, remember which client is which. It's slightly daunting. The powers that be have clearly decided that I'm up to the task. Yes, I now have my own files, my own case load. I can hold my head up high with the solicitors in the canteen, each with their caseloads of 100+ cases now that I have one too. Err... except that mine comprises 3 cases so far :)

Actually I'm rather pleased about it. It will give me a proper chance to work out exactly what it is you do with files. It's all very well looking at a statement and working out this was breached, liability sits there, or whatever. The less fun part is the important bit - dealing with the client, sending letters, working out how to make entries on the computer system, and combining that with other tasks (I still have my mountain of tasks to do, statements to take, that kind of thing). Plus I still get to do the fun bit of working out if there is a case there and intimating it to the other side... with the secret hope that I'll get to raise it in court. On the other hand, unless it takes 11 months from now to get that far, it won't be me in court doing the fun bit!

what a day!

Am on the blackberry to type this. Has been some day. First of all had mocking number 1: it was dress down day and of course newbie trainee turns up in a suit - the only one in the office.

Then I announced (in shock) Michael Jackson is dead! Tumbleweed moment of silence before the laughter and mocking number 2. That was last nights news and I'm the only person in the world not to know.

We had our team meeting today, where troubled cases are discussed. Got put on the spot for that: the partner opened with let's hear what the trainee has to say about liability on this one. Luckily hadn't fallen asleep yet so at least I sounded coherent.

Finally had a chat this afternoon with one of the solicitors. She agreed that everyone here is really friendly and the place is just nice. So what's the catch? I've seen the film "The Firm"!

The library

Thought I'd have a look at the "library" today. Which is a collection of useful (and expensive) books shoved on some metal shelving. "Shoved" is a kindly term, masking the complete mess that was there. Most of the books were hidden under masses of updates for the loose-leaf volumes, many still in their wrapping. And handily for historians there were loads of Law Society directories going back years, to the Blue Book directories before the white books now used.

It was all too much so I spent a while tidying and sorting. It's now in some kind of order and looks neat. It still looked neat a few minutes later when I finished up and went home. I don't rate the chances of it still being tidy this time tomorrow though!

Blackberry day

Got my office Blackberry today. It's very nice. I love how the calendar and email match whats on my office PC. They talk to each other (what are they saying about me though).

The downside is that now I'm officially on the office leash. Client calls can follow me home. I'm never away from email. I've seen everyone else habitually checking their Blackberries - at lunch, in court, probably in the toilet too!

On the plus side there's no network coverage at home, provided I stay in the kitchen. Which is beginning to sound appealing.

Meeting a client

Took my first in person client precognition today - the client came to the office. Was very careful to make sure I didn't miss anything out.

Got back to the my desk after to hear about the search party that had been sent for me. Tales about how complicated his story was, the infinite complexities of necessary detail, all fell on deaf ears. Still, would have felt worse if I had rushed it and missed out something vital!

Interesting day in court

Got to spend the morning in court once again. Tagged along with a reluctant solicitor, as she was worried about her motion. (In court, not a stomach related thing).

It was a great morning of options hearings. Everything possible came up. The sheriff was clearly very experienced and not one to take fools gladly. One party litigant appeared and didn't understand when the sheriff asked him if he opposed a motion which had been put forward. Sheriff wasn't impressed. It transpired that the next diet was going to be a debate. Sheriff asked him if he would be seeking the services of a solicitor. He said no, he'd represent himself. Stunned sheriff shouted incredulously "AT THE DEBATE?". Loud hint of sarcasm, sneer, surprise and shock from the direction of the sheriff.

Noted another agent sitting waiting for her case. For some reason she sniggered at every party litigant. Some of them were quite reasonable so not sure why!

Finally our case was called, right at the end. My mentor stood up, slighty nervously, and was about to say "Agent for the pursuer" when another agent stood up and said "Agent for both parties, m'lady". Looked like there was going to be an argument, except there had been some agreement beforehand about today's motion. As the other side put each point, my mentor meekly said "I agree" or "not opposed". She hadn't needed to worry at all.

My own client!

A very exciting day. I have my own file... and my own client. I've spoken to the client already, and it's a fair enough case. The defender is well known for being pig headed, so it will be a tough one. Am looking forward to it a lot!

Also faced a small demon today. Had been dreading a witness calling to explain a complicated industrial process to me, and what happened to his friend. Spoke to him finally and it was (of course) fine. As the partner says - "build a picture in your head".

Meeting an advocate

Quite an exciting day... got to behave exactly like a solicitor today. It was a consultation with a client, and I was there with the solicitor and an advocate. The advocate did all the talking, and just like a real solicitor, I got to sit there... and listen :) It was actually quite impressive, as the advocate was very clear and good to listen to (as you would hope!).

Am also slightly excited, as I seem to be progressing a case from the start. We'll see how it pans out. I did the initial statement from the client, and it has given me the chance to assess the legal merits of the case. Which might sound dull, but it was quite satisfying to work out that there was a sound basis to proceed. We'll see what happens next.

The case report

Tried to get hold of a case report today from a rural court 5 years ago. Couldn't track it down, so gave the court a call. Sure, they can provide a copy... for £20. Yikes. Is it a public document? What about a freedom of information request? (that would only wind them up!)

Anyway a while later was chatting to a colleague. Turns out it was one of our cases... and there are plenty of copies floating about. He even had one in his drawer!

Monday morning...

The office felt empty today - most of the people around my desk are on holiday or away on a conference. It was so quiet... and so dull! Definitely missed the banter.

Gave me a chance to catch up with the pile of work on my desk. Didn't take long to amass a proper sized bundle of things to do, with priorities to juggle.

Hilarious day... in court

Went with one of the solicitors to court today. Turned into a full proper legal debate citing cases and McPhail. Decent sheriff will think about it for a week. Was good to be there for some proper legal stuff!

Most of the hilarity came before that though. Spent the afternoon waiting for our turn, so got to hear some classic stories about a work experience girl from school and an agent who had both tried to leave the courtroom through the wrong door, the girl going into the sheriff's chambers (!) and the agent going into a cupboard. Mental note to self - DONT DO THAT!

The solicitor I was with confessed that she'd had a small incident last week when leaving court - her gown had caught on the back of one of the swivel chairs which had whipped round and whacked an agent. Oops.

The difficult bit in court was to avoid guffawing out loud. Would be bad to face a complaint to the law society before I've even qualified. So it was a relief to escape for lunch into the canteen.

That's where the real comedy was going on, thanks to a couple of seasoned, comical and more than slightly riské criminal agents sitting at the table with us, jumping on any innuendo possible, and forcing another well known seasoned but less comical criminal agent to storm out moaning about the content of the conversation. Oops!

Am looking forward to going back next week for the outcome. But I'm not sure if I'm hurrying back for the legal content or the comedy circus. Laughter is the best medicine after all!

Long distance precognition

Spent most of today getting a precognition from a police officer way out in the country.  Left nice and early.  Decided to go by train and avoid any hassle.  Arrival was no problem.  Policeman was very nice and helpful, and even gave me a lift back to the station in a police car.  

Arrived at the station 5 mins too late for the last train for 2 hours, so got to sit and soak up the sun.  Being a tiny village there was nothing else to do.  Not even a pub!  It wasn't until I got home that I discovered that I'd been sitting relaxing on some paint.  So my nice old suit, with its carefully sewn on buttons, is now a write off.  It's a sign.

Real trainee work

It's all very well precognoscing clients and dictating medical reports... but today I finally got some real old fashioned trainee work.  Yes, I was sent to the library to photocopy a case.  And luckily I had some cash with me as the firm's photocopier card had expired!

Sat in on a client consultation this afternoon.  Hope I'm not the only trainee who has almost fallen asleep in front of a client and a solicitor.  Well, it was so hot, the sun was streaming in, and the details of his case were quite detailed and not entirely scintillating!