Trainee Blog

I am currently undertaking the second seat of my training contract, which is in the Criminal Department. I have been in the department since early March and during that relatively short time I have been involved in a wide variety of work.

The department is very busy and fast-paced. As a result I have been given a lot of responsibility and have enjoyed the challenge of being in charge of the day-to-day running of both Crown Court and Magistrates Court files, under the supervision of the other Solicitors in the Department.

The work that I have competed so far includes such tasks as drafting briefs to Counsel, drafting instructions to experts, meeting clients to take initial instructions, clerking trials and representing clients at the Police Station.

After having completed the first part of my Police Station Accreditation Portfolio I am now a probationary representative and can represent own clients at the Police Station. In order to become fully accredited, I will need to pass the Critical Incidents Test and Part B of my portfolio. I will then be qualified to represent all clients on any charges. Working towards this additional qualification has been both challenging and very rewarding.

I have enjoyed my time within the Criminal Department and I am very much looking forward to furthering my knowledge and understanding of the law and procedures involved in this interesting area of law.