Trainee Blog

I have completed my first seat in the Criminal Department. I spent six months gaining experience in different areas of criminal law including fraud, grievous bodily harm, theft and sexual offences. I have followed cases from the initial interview through to trial and, where necessary, sentencing.

My work has consisted of mainly shadowing the solicitors within the department. This has involved going to court, attending meetings with clients and I have, whilst being supervised, taken clients instructions. I have also carried out legal research for different solicitors, drafted witness statements together with briefs to counsel.

As part of my training in the Criminal Department I have been working towards my Police Station accreditation. Once accredited, I will be able to give unsupervised advice to clients at the police station.. The process has involved me gaining police station experience whilst shadowing the solicitors in the department initially by observing and then having to represent a number of clients whilst being supervised. I have found this experience highly rewarding because it has given me the opportunity to put my knowledge into practice.

I have recently started my second seat in the Family Department. I am working with a fee earner who specialises in Children Public Law. This area of law is highly specialised and involves working with extremely vulnerable people in a complex legal situation.