I have roughly two months before the start of pupillage, and quite a lot to do before then. The slight urgency of the situation is added to by the fact I am on holiday for most of September. As a good old procrastination tactic I thought I’d write a “To Do” list, and put it on here for any pointers. So, in no particular order I must -
- Get my hair cut
- Buy a new suit
- Find somewhere to live in London [any thoughts on where’s cheap, and in reasonable proximity to the centre would be gratefully received]
- Call Chambers, ask if they remember me and exactly what date I start
- Register my pupillage
- Re-learn all I’m meant to know about Criminal, Family and Civil law [this may not take as long as it ought]
- Read the book “Eats, shoots and leaves"
- Buy a new pencil case
That list looks shorter in writing than it does in my head. No doubt more things will occur to me in due course. If anyone can think of anything I’ve forgotten, please let me know!
PB
24 comments:
Comfy shoes. The last couple of visits to London have been torture on my feet, I think it must be all the stairs climbed when travelling on the tube.
I now understand why most of the barristers at the RCJ wear trainers when travelling to and from court
Hmmm, my pupillage prep so far consists of buying precariously high heels (and cute pumps for when I knacker my feet), capacious handbags (space for packed lunch, spare shoes, notebooks), unnecessary (but nonetheless stylish) new suits, jewellery and all manner of other wholly frivolous things – but bugger me if I’m not going to be the most stylish (and indebted) pupil in town.
Footwear to walk to chambers also includes one new pair of MBTs – ‘special’ trainers for women with more money than sense that promise to give you bigger breasts and boost your IQ or some such, and a pair of ‘fitflops’ – not any old flip flops, but ‘special’ flip flops which promise to endow me with mystical powers and end world poverty. A fool and her money..... I am going out in one final bang, before I give up my salary for a life of poverty.
Hadn't intended to do any further study, but now you mention it I should perhaps do a little light reading - given that I am going to a family set and have never before studied family law.
I started 'Eats Shoots and Leaves', but never got around to finishing it. Your list has inspired me to give it another go before pupillage starts.
I do know my start date, but hadn't realised that I needed to register my pupillage - I rather assumed that would be chambers' responsibility.
Also on my list, going to the dentist, before I can no longer afford it and lazing about as much as possible before I'm beasted for a year.
Looks like my list, also dentist/ opticians (have cute new varifocals for looking up at judge then quickly down at papers)/ physio, get mobile internet, rent out house in The North, get CORGI gas certificate for house, fix rent, get exterior of house painted, finlalise last year's tax, finish off old job, do final invoices, convey house to limited company to save tax, put stuff not needed in rented flat in London into storage, ...
I am planning to take laptop/ iPod and a suitcase of clothes - this will be liberating.
BTW if you wear trainers all day your knees will be shot by the time you are 40 (unless you are one of the lucky 30% of the population with good arches).
Hey guys - thanks for the tips re shoes, not sure if high heels really suit me though ;)
Mr 50-Y-O; your list looks far longer than mine, hope you get it all done in time, and that all goes will for you in your pupillage.
PB
Oh How EXCITING!!! I LOVE spending money I dont have and one can NEVER have too many pairs of shoes ( just as one can never have too many handbags/hats/pairs of knickers!) Have you had to do the wig thing yet???
I am soooooo looking forward to reading all about your adventures in pupil land!! :)
That's reassuring that you don't know your start date either. I was beginning to think that the lack of contact from Chambers confirmed my fear that my pupillage offer had been in error.
Just got my start date and pupil supervisors through post this Saturday ... gulp!
what kind of haircut is suitable for the bar?
Lost, I'm not sure. I shall be going for the standard mohican though - despite the problems it causes with the placing of my wig!
50-yr-old, you seem to be off to a well organised start. What hair do are you going to plump for?
PB
I would go for the rockabilly/pompadour look personally.
A lot of people at my uni who get to the mooting final infront of a law lord or something(yes im bitter never got that far) seem to "swish" their hair about and be all airy.
Invest in some brylcream? Short back and sides? Tenancies have been known to decided upon how well you present yourself!!
Lost, I think you are right about tenancies being decided on turn-out. I think I shall go for a bright red mohican, so I stand out.
PB
Oh where to live, pick somewhere that's on the right line for you to get to work. For instance, if you're near Chancery Lane, somewhere in the East End would be both cheap and on the Central line, so handy for getting in and out, without having to change. Also means that you're more likely to get a seat all the way on the way into work.
Important if you do opt for the heels!
That ought to have read 'on where to live' rather than 'oh'.
I would add to the list 'buy a small wheely suitcase' if you don't already have one. Samsonite ones are good, sturdy and easy to wheel about.
Mel, Many thanks for the inside info. I have already been looking in that area, and indeed it does seem that it will fit the bill in terms of price and location. I just have to be careful of all the con-artists out there. Five or six people I've had contact from claiming to have places for me to rent have asked me to make a MoneyGram or Western Union money transfer to a friend or relative as a "sign of good faith". However fingers crossed I will get something organised soon.
As for the wheely bag, I needed one for my BVC days, so it will be dusted down in due course.
PB
I was worrying about hair too. Mine is cropped at the moment. No.2 back and sides and a bit more on top. I was concerned it was too severe. Still I am meeting my pupil supervisor at the start of September so I can get some advice with still time to grow it out a bit and have it re-stlyed. For context I am neither bald nor grey.
I hate wheelie bags. You have to carry them on stairs and if they're light enough to carry, they're light enough to carry
Yes, but you can't take anyone out with a normal bag. People can't see you coming with a wheely, and people not paying sufficient attention can have their legs swiped out from under them. It makes the morning rush infinitely more exciting.
Most welcome, Bean. Do avoid the Nigerian princes wanting to share their fortunes!
It's really annoying at escalators when people stop abruptly to collapse the handle on their wheelie-bin, sorry I mean bag, and almost cause a pile-up.
50-yr-old, thanks for the insight re hair. Short back and sides, neither grey or bold - do you resemble Hitler? Please report back on PM's conclusions.
As for the bag issue if only the Jetsons was real life, then we could all whizz about in our personal flying machines, thus avoiding the issue of wheely bags altogether.
PB
I still haven't heard anything from Chambers regarding a start date. Or for that matter anything at all since the pupillage offer last August. Reckon it's time to start chasing them yet?
I happened to be in London around May time, so popped into Chambers to say Hello. Not surprisingly at 11am noone was around to meet me, but some nice chap gave me a call the following day. At that time they were unclear as to a start date or who would be my pupil-person. He suggested I called early September to sort such details out. Therefore I'm going to contact them next week.
Anon - If I were you I would chase them up, afterall you need a start date, and if you're in with other pupils, you need to start when they do so that you all have an even start!
PB
2 weeks to go until my first day and I am cacking my pants. All set PB?
anon, have you started yet? if so, how was it?
i've still got a couple of weeks yet
PB
I start on Thursday. Will report back at the weekend.
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