Katarina McCabe is a law student at the University of York. She completed the Bar Placement Scheme 2024, shadowing barristers at Furnival Chambers in London. Her blog was chosen as the winning entry in the South category. Here she explores what a day in court is like, discusses how she found her placement and shares her reflections of the Scheme.
The placement
‘The courtroom is a theatre of reality’. Having been given the amazing opportunity to shadow both barristers and solicitors provided by the Bar Placement Scheme, I quickly learned that the nature of court trials are ever-changing, and that the team of people; ushers; clerks; barristers; judges; all contribute towards a successful trial hearing but face many hurdles throughout the day.
I spent three days in a London Crown Court following a case of alleged sexual assault and use of ‘black magic’. Under the esteemed guidance of both a King’s Counsel barrister and a Junior Counsel barrister, as well as a diligent and client-orientated solicitor, I have absorbed their experiences of practising the law from a first-hand perspective, and it has confirmed that I have hunger for knowledge and willpower to become a barrister. What was once a spark of curiosity, was now a flame of passion for the Bar.
A day in court
10:30am Some members of Counsel are late. Hectic London traffic is the culprit.
10:45am A letter from a juror is received. Counsel are not only having to fight their case, but are having to deal with an ethical dilemma: should a member of the jury be dismissed? The Judge even threatens the individual with contempt of court. It is clear to me that a defendant is entitled to a full jury, and only in exceptional circumstances have juries of only nine occurred. The judge allows time for counsel to discuss their options, also giving the defence an opportunity to take direction from their client.
Once re-entering the courtroom, the Judge cites the case of Woodward, using an authority to support his determination that the trial should continue.
11:24am The trial commences slightly later than everyone has hoped, nevertheless, the clockwork communication between the members of the court promotes the seamless transition to the ‘examination-in-chief’ portion of the trial. Here, the witness is called to give evidence, recalling facts in support of a party’s case.
I learned that during this, ‘leading questions’ should be avoided because this may invite a particular response from the witness and can quickly merge into cross-examination questions.
11:51am “All rise”. The Judge leaves the courtroom marking the end of the witness statement. The defence takes some time discussing the proceedings with their client.
From the offset, I have valued the opportunity to build rapport with the client. Confidentiality, trust and openness are some of the many characteristics that form the basis of a good representative-client relationship. On some occasions the client has turned to me to seek my views and guidance, which confirmed the notion that we have established a solid rapport.
12:26pm Following some administrative tasks, Court resumes watching a recorded witness statement. The jury is notified that this video can only be viewed once.
1:05pm Lunch commences.
Some of my favourite moments during this mini-pupillage occurred outside of the courtroom. During breaks, the interplay of ideas amongst the legal practitioners was intriguing, and I was encouraged to share my own thoughts on the trial.
During lunch breaks, the open-door nature amongst colleagues fostered a collaborative environment; junior barristers working on separate cases can come seek the guidance of Silks working on others. I was captured by the various motivations barristers explained why they pursued such a career. One reason included the “anger” that one may feel when justice has not been served effectively or fairly.
2:02pm Court continues to watch the witness statement.
5:00pm The day in Court comes to a close.
My reflections
Hope. Reassurance. Comfort. That is what a legal team consisting of barristers and solicitors can provide a client and their families in what may be one of the most difficult periods of their lives. Attending this mini-pupillage has certainly demystified the general working day of barristers. They meet their client’s needs; whether it be a language barrier issue or an administrative error, barristers are with the client from start to finish, conveying legal issues in the simplest terms their client can understand.
A barrister does not have to be the loudest to be heard. I have learned that, after shadowing these barristers, an effective barrister is one who is passionate for their cause. For their people. For justice.
Why did I apply to the Scheme?
As a university student, I was keen to develop my understanding of the barrister profession outside the legal textbooks. By attending this Scheme, I have been provided with insights into the judicial process, and I am enthusiastic to apply the knowledge that I have gained to my own legal studies.