Dear readers,

Hello, and welcome back.

I must first apologise for our absence over the last few months. I’m sure you are all able to understand that exam revision had to take priority, and as the queen of procrastination, my laziness eventually backfired on me, when I realised that I’d have to actually sit down and make all of those notes I’d been putting off all year!

So after exams, Lexie and I both went off on holiday (separately). Whilst Lex was drinking her way through the Guinness factory in Dublin, I was relaxing on a white sandy beach in a five star Caribbean resort (not that I’m bragging or anything..!).

A lot has happened in the legal world while we’ve been away, things we’d have liked to have posted on, but couldn’t for those reason’s mentioned above.

But four 1^st’s and two 2.i’s later, we’re back!

First, let’s take a minute to remember Hugo Chavez and Margaret Thatcher. It’s too late now to provide a commentary on their careers, and a wealth of information is readily available on google, but lets raise our glasses (drinking, not eye) to two modern, pioneer politicians….

Minute over. Back to my blog…

I thought I’d start this post by providing some tips for things to do in summer holiday.

(Please remember, Lexie and I write this blog as we experience things, so whilst I will try to cover ground for students at most levels in their academic training, this will be geared mainly towards first years.)

First and foremost, enjoy the weather! It’s 30 degree’s outside, and none of us are getting any younger (though when I was 21, someone did tell me I looked 15. Made. My. Year!), so despite needing that all important internship, take some time to explore the country, catch a few surf waves in Cornwall, go horse riding along the Ridgeway, or sit in one of the royal parks. No one will begrudge you at interview for simply saying, ‘I enjoyed my summer!’ (In fact, they will probably be secretly jealous).

Next, get some experience. Commercial experience is the best, particularly if you are at an early stage in your career. It shows that you possess business acumen, and have a broad appreciation for how the world works, even if your life’s greatest ambition is to be a janitor (please do not construe this as my mocking the custodial profession). Anyhow, this is a law blog, so even if you want to be a criminal lawyer, it’s still worth your while to demonstrate commercial aptitude.

Some students may have been bright-eyed and quick enough to have secured a spring insight internship with a law firm, bank or professional services firm. However, given that the majority of us are not quick-thinking-enough, and the lack of advertising for these positions, and the small number of places offered, said students would most definitely be in the minority.

With this in mind, an alternative would be to approach a local high street firm, and ask them if you can work for free. This could involve anything from making coffee and taking out the garbage, to filing reports, improving your skills by carrying out legal research, or even shadowing a partner! I know it sounds boring, but it could look invaluable on your CV, and with a little tenacity and creativity, you could end up making some really valuable connections; for example, I got an internship purely by drawing attention to the girl behind the drinks table that a barrister wanted a glass of wine!

Next, how about volunteering abroad?

Go and teach English at a Tibetan Monastery (or the more generic: China, Thailand or Vietnam); volunteer at an orphanage in Mozambique; campaign for AIDS awareness in Ghana or Tanzania; volunteer at a legal centre in South Africa; learn to dive in a marine conservation project in Costa Rica, Mexico or Belize. The opportunities are endless! And with three months volunteering on your CV, you’ll have loads to talk about at interview, and it shows you have a shred of humanity in this dog-eat-dog, cut-throat profession.

The value of such endeavours’ are multi-fold:

·      For starters, you’ll get to explore another country. I’ve been lucky and I’ve been travelling round the world. But I’m also aware, that the majority of people have not had this opportunity, and probably never will, outside of annual holidays with either your friends or your parents (or your friend’s parents.. pa da pum pum pa!) – if that! So getting to explore another country in depth will definitely be an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life

·      You’ll do a good deed, which will make you feel good

·      You’ll develop cultural awareness, which will help in the professional world, as no matter what your career, you will meet people of all ethnicities and backgrounds. Learning how to be sensitive to them will help your career enormously, and make you a more likeable person

·      You may learn another language. Particularly if you choose to work in China or Latin America – Spanish and Mandarin are hugely advantageous in today’s competitive climate

·      It shows strength of character: it’s difficult to go away to a foreign and strange land by yourself, and it requires great independence, motivation and forward planning.. all qualities sought after by top firms and chambers

·       You probably won’t have the money directly to hand. Therefore, some sort of fundraising will likely be required. For example, you could have a party, or a bake sale. This shows commitment, the ability to market your event, organisation in setting it up and making sure it runs smoothly, and the ability to handle the finances after it’s over, which demonstrates commercial acumen (as well as utilises some of the what you learned way back in Maths GCSE)

·      Furthermore, financial forecasting can be demonstrated by handling your finances when abroad: making sure you have enough to live off for the duration of your trip, as well as travelling on weekends, or even after the project is over (this includes paying for your flight and insurance and the cost of the project)

If volunteering abroad isn’t your thing, or you don’t have the ability to make it happen, then how about volunteering in your home country? This can be anything from helping out at your local church, temple, mosque or community centre, to helping at a hospital, or a retirement home or even volunteering in a charity shop. It may sound mundane, but you’ll meet a lot of interesting people and possibly get to hear some amazing stories, as well as give someone a little happiness.

Alternatively, if you’re strapped for cash and still want some experience, how about getting a job! Anything you get will be valuable, including something in retail. In fact, if you are able to keep a job down while you study, this shows employers that you are able to achieve academically despite obvious constraints (financial and social), whilst keeping motivated, organised and managing your time extremely efficiently.

Getting a job in retail gives you many transferable skills, some of which I have listed below. And if you do a good job, they may ask you to come back for the following summer!

Ok readers, that’s it for this post, but I’ll be posting very soon on exam results and how to proceed. I’ve set up some links to volunteering websites that you may find useful

Over and out!

Top Skills for Being a Barrister

Here's our first and most useful list for you people out there! So many of you, like Obie and I, will be considering a career at the bar and maybe some of you are wondering if you've truly got what it takes. So being the lovely people that we are Obie and I have compiled this list of necessary skills for being a barrister so you can get a vague idea if you've these skills. We've collected these skills from attending various events and extensive reading on the topic so hopefully we've got them all but of course if you think of anymore tweet, facebook or email us!

1) Confidence but not empty confidence. Confidence from being prepared and knowing your stuff

2) Courage

3) Public Speaking (Very very important)

4) Determination

5) Patience

6) Compassion and Empathy (If you don't like people this job probably isn't for you!)

7) INTEGRITY (This kept on popping up throughout everything and so we gather is imprtannt enough to be in capitals)

8) Active Listening (Yeah that 'listening' we all do in lectures won't cut it you have to listen AND pay attention to what is actually being said)

9) Good work ethic (Long hours, hard work)

10) Critical Thinking (Always ask why not how)

11) Enthusiasm and Passion (Covers any career if you ask me)

12) Attention to detail (Come on no one wants to be embarrassed by a judge because you missed a small detail)

13) Good language ability

14) Stamina (You'll be doing long hours and being dragged over the country so get to the gym and work on that stamina!

15) Good understanding of the law (Kind of goes without saying really, you need to be able to grasp the law and understand it quickly and comprehensively)

So that is that! All of these are things that can be worked on in various ways and no doubt we will make a post about it one day to help you all out. Also worth noting that many of these cover skills necessary for becoming a solicitor as well so you can apply it there.

A night out with some Barristers...

Nearly a week ago myself and Obie attended one of the first major events set up by the newly elected University of Sussex Law Society (USLS). The event so named 'Life at the Criminal Bar' was a panel discussion with four guest speakers including Sussex's very own Professor Vogler and three highly reputable barristers Forz Khan, Rebecca Upton and Heather Stevens. Forz Khan is head of his own chambers in London and has participated in numerous high-profile cases included acting as a defendant to a member of the IRA. Those of you who have been applying for mini-pupillage at local chambers may recognise the next panellist Rebecca from Eastbourne Chambers who is the woman to talk to for getting into those chambers. Rebecca has 20 years experience in the criminal bar specialising in family and sexual offences. Lastly Heather who was the newest barrister of the bunch is a tenant in Lamb Building.

Introductions over I can move onto the more interesting topic of what actually happened at the event. Well first and foremost each panellist gave a short summary of their educational history and general background something that I found to be extremely interesting particularly considering the difference in access to the bar. Rebecca and Forz were very forthcoming in admitting that neither had firsts, a 2:2 and 2:1 receptively, and they highlighted the fact that whilst they were lucky to get a pupillage with those grades when they applied it is a totally different story now. Forz gave the excellent advice that these days in order to get a pupillage a candidate needs to not only have excellent grades but an element that makes them stand out so take note future barristers you need to start doing things to make you unique! So get travelling to Mexico to save turtles or head to Oxford to read the well respected Bachelor of Civil Law to make yourself irresistible to whatever chambers you apply to. Also a little side note Forz also stated that it is recommended that you get an offer for a pupillage before you sit the BPTC because it's super expensive like super 'oh my god I'm going to be drowning in debt' expenses or if you're lucky enough a loving phone call to your parents expensive, needless to say those were not his exact words but there's no way I could ever replicate his dictum. However Obie has more than expressed that she does not agree with this but it's very much each to their own in this case.

One particularly interesting aspect of the panellist was the near punch-up (OK not a near punch-up but come on, as journalists it's our job to spice things up... and the mental image is hilarious!) between the barristers and the only solicitor Professor Vogler. This disagreement focused on the suggestion from Vogler that the UK should adopt a unified qualifications for law graduates so that there need not be the decision between a career at the bar or as a solicitor. Something that the barristers did not agree with and led to the more heated discussion n that barristers were better than solicitors, obviously displeasing the solicitor. Being the diplomatic person that I am I won't come down on one side of this discussion I will say that generally barristers are more specialised than solicitors so therefore they will have more knowledge and experience in dealing with certain cases. Feel free to let us know what you all think of this debate! Do you think there should be a unified qualification? Are barristers better qualified than solicitors? Should we have locked these guys in a room to see who makes it out alive?! Tweet us, email us or facebook us your thoughts people!

Now the next interesting information was a bit more academic than the previous one. It's the ever intertesing topic of legal aid because everyone loves a bit of legal aid. Now for those of you who are considering embarking on the difficult yet rewarding journey to the criminal bar I give you a word of caution nicely communicated from the barristers through me to you. The criminal bar does not pay as well as it used to so those of you thinking that you'll make your millions helping put away murderers or defending thieves then I encourage you to either think again or skip reading this part so you can remain in denial. Due to all the lovely legal funding cuts (even more cuts were announced this week) by the Government there is very little funding for many criminal cases and as a consequence being a criminal barrister does not pay as well as it used to. However this should not dissuade you from pursing this career! The work you do I imagine is incredibly worthwhile and interesting (apparently you'll have the most interesting work stories something about drunks in cells...) and as Forz suggested there is always the opportunity to work part-time as a barrister and have another job in the meantime (He owns various businesses if you want some ideas). I won't go into too much detail in legal aid cuts as there will be an article from us soon but I will say that these cuts are more serious than barristers not being paid well. It is worrisome that it may lead to more miscarriages of justice as appropriate representation may not be given, it will become a case of getting the cheapest help not the best quality.

Also for those readers out there who would love to be a barrister but feel that they are too shy all is not lost! Heather told us that she had always been timid through her studies but managed to overcome it through mooting, debating and her mini-pupillages. Whilst I realise more than anyone how horrific these extracurriculars can be if you're shy, they are so worth doing! Not only will this help you get over this shyness but it will get you talking in the right way that is conducive to being in the profession. So you get two birds with one stone as the saying goes.

Last but not least the after-event drinks and networking, whilst I did not manage to stay and chat too much I was fortunate enough to be able to have conversations with Rebecca and Forz about their careers and the best ways to go about getting mini-pupillages and pupillage. Both were extremely helpful and kind in their discussions with myself and Obie and made themselves more than available to answer our questions (I'm sure heather would have been the same if we had the time to talk to her). For those of you who didn't attend you certainly missed out on a great event not just for those wanting to pursue a career at the bar but also those who wish to pursue a career elsewhere as it was a great opportunity to talk with professionals in the industry.

We are fully online!

Just a quick update to let you guys know we have finally set up our twitter and facebook accounts! Yes we're not so totally old as to not know how these things work. On twitter we'll be tweeting with updates of articles and any quick items that Obie and I think you should know about!
Check out all of our followers on twitter! They're all must have accounts for any law students!

Link time:

Twitter and Facebook

Greetings!
Don't you just HATE Monday's?! Actually, I think if I were a working-gal, i'd hate Sunday's even more! It's like they were made to stare you in the face and laugh and say, "Ha! I'm the last day you get off before needing to go back to work!" There go the late nights, as you need to be bright and perky for Monday, because if you're not, it ruin's your whole week. And, if you have kids, then it mean's your day trip out needs to finish even earlier, because kids have school (so much better than work!) and they actually get tired! Though I do remember wanting to stay up as late as possible when I was growing up... And don't you just love 5:59am, when you are deep in sleep, warm, comfortable, and having the most amazing dream about Tom Welling / Hallie Berry / a Big Mac (whatever take your fancy), and then all of a sudden, out of the blue, it's 6am, your alarm goes off, you stop dreaming, you stop being warm and comfortable, and a wave of dread pours over you when you realise, "I have to go to work today!" And you turn over in bed, pull the duvet over your head and spend the next 5 minutes dreaming about winning £77 million on the Euromillions lottery.

Have you heard that joke about the man who prayed to win the lottery? Well i'm going to tell it anyway... There was this guy, and every night he prayed really really hard to God, to make him win the lottery. After some time, God, feeling sorry for this poor sucker, decides to respond; He says, "Man, I hear your prayer (I made this up), and I understand your desire to win the lottery. I will help you. But you must meet me half way. You need to buy a lottery ticket!" Hahahaha
It's a two-way street people! You want success? You have to put in the effort!

So if you do hate Monday's (and Sunday's), you'll hate me even more; Sussex LLB Law students don't start until 11am on Monday's :-D

Enough with complaining about the start of the week. Lexie and I thought that for our first proper post, we'd post something entertaining. It's not strictly law-related but I figured it's related enough as it concerns an American lawyer (you can already tell it's going to be humorous).
I got this story from the Wall Street Journal, but can't post a link to it as I don't know when or where it originated from.

So, this American lawyer (Charlotte, North Carolina) purchases a box of rather expensive cigars, and insured them against--wait for it-- FIRE! Yes, you read right.. Fire. Stupidest thing you have ever heard? Keep reading, it gets better...
The Lawyer smoked his entire store of cigars without making a single claim against his policy, so, proceeded to filing his claim.
The insurance company were rightly outraged, and refused to accommodate the claim. The lawyer, obviously following his instincts, sued.
The judge agreed with the insurance company that this was a bogus and frivolous claim, but upon inspecting the contract, the judge stated that policy was valid (there were no mistakes, misrepresentations, exclusion clauses etc.. PLease refer to Mary's Contract Law lectures for further information). The policy deemed the cigars to be insurable, and insurable against fire, without stipulating unacceptable conditions under which fire would not be tolerated. Thus the insurance company were obliged to pay the lawyer! Instead of enduring a lengthy process of appeal, the insurance company paid the lawyer $15000 in compensation for the loss of his cigars in a series of small fires.
Wait, it gets better...
The lawyer, upon receiving his compensation cheque, deposited it straight into his bank account. The following morning the insurance company had him arrested on 20 separate counts of... ARSON! The lawyer was fined... $24000 and was forced to serve 20 consecutive 1 year sentences!

HAHAHA. How's that for justice?! One (not Lex or I) might speculate that there are severe deficiencies n the American justice system... At least the insurance company had a sense of humour!

Moral of the story: Even if you are stupid, you can still be a lawyer!

I'd love to hear your thought's on this. And watch out for Lexie's first post; It'll have a bit more substance and relation to the law.

Introductions are in order...

Hello!

Let me start by introducing myself... I'm Obama-in-training. Obie for short.

Joining me is my learned friend and co-writer, Lexie (Lex for short which you will all know to be Latin for law I'm sure)

Lexie and I, as our profile says, are students at Sussex Law School, and proud as punch to be attending such a fine, upstanding higher educational establishment that isn't in the Russell group! Ha! But in all seriousness people, It is a fine institution. We have a great faculty, with superior knowledge (helpful for getting you out of those sticky situations with the police after a drunken night out... you know who you are!) and sensational charisma. The fact that I just got accepted into the newly established Innocence Project (USIP) is going a looong way toward boosting my opinion of the school, and it's members. Lexie may disagree...

So you can probably tell, by the fact that we are still so patriotic towards our faculty, that we are first year law students. The babies of the bunch. The bottom of the proverbial food chain as it were. We think we know everything, suddenly all our friends start coming to us for legal advice; in fact, we know NOTHING! But that's why we started this blog... we find, especially with law, and I'm sure most people agree that discussing cases and articles that we read, both for educational and recreational purposes, are better understood when there is a group of you discussing it (or at least you can turn to the smartest person in the group for all the answers, much like in seminar's, when there is only one person speaking, because they are the only one's that have bothered to do any of the reading, and you are content to sit back and watch this happen, chiming in occasionally so you don't score anything less than a 2:i for your termly report, ironically, Lexie and I are so full of it, we obviously consider ourselves to be the best in the class, and are such nerds that we actually bother to do the reading, and learn something so we get our £9000-worth of education, that we are the saddo's that dominate the seminars, along with a select group of other conscientious individuals). Therefore, that’s the aim of the game: aside from imparting our insanely funny sense of humour upon the world, we plan to keep law students, and whosoever else in the general public that deigns to read our blog, updated of news, especially legal news (to help increase our commercial awareness, something we are all too familiar when it comes to job applications), by posting links to various articles on the internet and twitter; AND critically analyse the cases that we learn about as we go along in order to gain a deeper understanding of the ratio (Mary's ELS lectures are actually coming in handy!) and have a bit of a discussion, to help with essay writing. We will also try and keep our readers updated of any vac schemes, training contracts, pupillages and mini's, and provide useful hints and tips to successfully completing an application (in any career, not just law).

So please do feel free to contribute at any time! We look forward to interacting with you all!

Disclaimer: All you clever-clogs (especially those reading Law) will of course realise that these are not our real names; we have been forced (by some unknown-to-us-as-yet law) to remain anonymous in order to protect ourselves from the liability of any tortious acts we may commit (i.e defamation). However, we are of course always protected by the primary defense: We are writing only our opinions, not the opinion of the university or any other individual or public body, and anything we do publish should not be taken as hard fact (unless of course we tell you it is!). Also having to use code-names makes everything infinitely cooler!