Court room nightmares

[me87]

I have just finished my seat in Litigation and I did quite a few agency hearings which was quite good practice for the real thing. On my very first one I was absolutely terrified and my instructing solicitors had told me to seek fixed costs, but hadn't actually spelled out what fixed costs were on that particular application. I looked it up in the CPR but forgot to add the cost of the application ... however when I said I was seeking £100, the judge obviously took pity on me and said, "I think it's normally £200 ... I wouldn't want you to get into trouble for going back with too little ..." which was pretty nice of him!

[mandymkrd]

Originally Posted by me87

I have just finished my seat in Litigation and I did quite a few agency hearings which was quite good practice for the real thing. On my very first one I was absolutely terrified and my instructing solicitors had told me to seek fixed costs, but hadn't actually spelled out what fixed costs were on that particular application. I looked it up in the CPR but forgot to add the cost of the application ... however when I said I was seeking £100, the judge obviously took pity on me and said, "I think it's normally £200 ... I wouldn't want you to get into trouble for going back with too little ..." which was pretty nice of him!

that was nice of the judge! I hope that i get a nice judge if anything ever goes wrong! (obviously my first hope is that it doesnt go wrong!)

[Del]

well I did my first case today, it was a straight forward one. Was a bit nervous but it waasn't too bad

[sumoking]

application for stay of dissolution, high court chancery division whilst trainee

most of the court room is barristers sent down to do bulk repossession hearings and a Judge who is increasingly irate at late or not filing bundles

"X -v- Company X" shouts usher

"errr me?"

about twelve pairs of eyes swivel round to peer at me hiding at the back of the court, fumble with bits of paper and bag etc (should have just left it there, it wasn't as if it would get knicked)

shambles in a blatant flustered mess to front of court, all advocacy training suddenly forgotten

Judge peers over bench "Mr King?"

"Yes" mind goes blank "errr, your honour?"

Glare "Mr King you are a trainee solicitor?"

"Yes" fcuk I'm committed now "Your honour"

"indeed and, refresh my memory, do trainee solicitors have rights of audience in the Chancery Division of the High Court?"

Mouth is suddenly very very dry and pants are suddenly very very brown, fervently praying that outward show of contempt for all things animal, mineral and vegetable is still holding, because if I don't get this stay the company the client is battling in a horrific litigation gets liquidated and client has no cause of action (insured for the loss but need to keep company alive for insurer to indemnify), thus, we are negligent and in the shit

Grits teeth, ho hum in for a penny "On consulting the chancery Desk your honour on whether I was able to appear at a high court application, and this is after all only a very minor procedural application, I was advised that I could (safely) appear"

Glaring Judge "I see "

very very long and painful silence, frantic thought, brain wave "Perhaps to be safe we could run it by the defendant and see if it has any objection?"

Grinning Judge "excellent and where is the defendant's representative, does he have an objection?"

"the defendant didn't bother to turn up your honour"

"Oh, in that case I'll grant the order, are you sure a 6 month stay is enough?"

sagging with relief "yes, yes that will be more than enough and if not we have asked for leave to make further application" judge starts tucking app under desk, panic, as if I haven't shot this to fcuk already " errr, if possible could I have that back now, it's just I have to scan and get to companies house by 4 to protect the position"

Glare, very long silence, "yes of course, but take this directly to the chancery desk, this bundle is not to leave the court, understand?"

adrenaline leaving system, legs buckling, squeaks "yes your honour, thank you your honour"

[Del]

sumo! Where have you been?!

[admin]

Good to see you back

[Pen73669]

Hey all

I work in child protection now so am in and out of court all the time and I still feel slightly sick when I appear before the Circuit Judge in the County Court.

I've heard some horrror stories from solicitors and barristers - they all say it's just a matter of time before something goes wrong and you get a telling off but everyone's been there at some point!! At the time you'll think it's the end of the world but in a yrs time you'll be telling the new trainee all about it like it was funny at the time!

My worst was trying to explain to the Judge that I had rights to appear even though I was a trainee because I was authorised under the LGA to appear before the court - que some serious panic on my behalf as a long silence followed my explanation before he spoke again!! The worst part was I hadn't told him I was a trainee it must have been obvious from the "dear in the headlights" expression on my face!!

The best tip I'd give is once you've been into court once go again ASAP afterwards the longer you leave it between court trips the more the nerves kick in again!!

Good luck!

[sumoking]

Originally Posted by Del

sumo! Where have you been?!

I lurk and grind inches off my teeth

I say teeth

mostly they are bloody gums and stumps now

couldn't resist this though

[Del]

Originally Posted by sumoking

I lurk and grind inches off my teeth

I say teeth

mostly they are bloody gums and stumps now

couldn't resist this though

why don't you post anymore?!

[sumoking]

well

there are only so many times you can type "Holy Jeebus Fcuk! of course you won't get a TC if you murdered 14 people, got done for dealing heroin, robbed a whole sheltered housing complex and punched a lama, what is wrong with you people saying "yeah go for it, borrow 20k at 125% a week interest you'll make it if you follow your dreams and buy some crystals and put up a dream catcher" I feel like I'm taking crazy pills! you deluded morons are pushing up my blood pressure and putting my pharmacist's kids through college.

you know?

but since it's you, go on pic a topic and at some point I'll post some actual useful advice that everyone will no doubt hate because it's not the fluffy cuddly pretend world they have been brought up to expect