After a nice break its back to the BVC grind and trying to get good grades under my belt to help gain the dream pupillage, which at the moment feels like the be all and end all. I survived my December practical exams and am happy with the results it appears that it was worth practising submissions in the mirror even if my housemates thought that I had completely lost the plot!
Before starting I apologise in advance. The phrase credit crunch makes everyone either shudder or snore; its certainly the buzz word at the moment and probably over used and over-hyped by the media. However, theres no escaping the fact that its a tough time for us wannabe-barristers to kick off our careers things are so uncertain and the credit crunch seems to be eating away at the legal profession as well as everyone else.
We certainly havent been spared its having a HUGE impact, even on the Big Guys. Linklaters having to down-size and axe partners is never going to be a good sign. A lot of my LPC peers who are lucky enough to have training contracts are being constantly warned that if they fail any module even token ticking a box modules then their places will be revoked. It seems to be more dog-eat-dog than ever. It also doesnt help BVCers confidence when some chambers are not even offering pupillages this time round.
So why the hell am I doing this?!?! The answer is quite simple really. Theres nothing else I would prefer doing and I knew from the outset that it would be competitive and tough. Hopefully this will make it more worthwhile the day I stand up with my wig on and a Cheshire cat grin on my face when I celebrate my first success in court! I believe that if I persist and do things to make myself stand out then someone will give me a shot at it. This week Im sending off my first pupillage application I will keep you updated.
There have been fears about the erosion of the Bar for years; now it just seems more real. There are always hurdles BVCers have always been worried about getting pupillages these concerns simply change shape and form during different times and with changes in the social climate. Most professions are being affected, and its probably only those who specialise in insolvency who are going to thrive. Therefore, my plan is to get the credit crunch out of my head, get on with it and ride it out.
Perhaps the credit crunch will separate the wheat from the chaff or perhaps the profession will lose out when able and talented people go elsewhere. You decide.
Readers' comments (1)
Gavin | 13-Feb-2009 2:11 pm
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Finally, a blog worth reading after some of the awful rubbish that's been doing the rounds on the Internet. And it's great to see someone who realises that law has been quite badly affected by the recession, some deluded individuals seem to think otherwise.
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