The Hot 100 career quiz: “Sitting with a client who attempted suicide brought home the risks of remote justice”

What’s your most vivid memory from being a pupil? 

After five months of pupillage mostly sitting behind a desk, I assisted Heather Rogers KC in a trial about alleged deceit in film-financing. Urgently reviewing late disclosure, reviewing documents ahead of court the next day, running over points for cross-examination – I then watched Heather take the witness to pieces, question by question. I saw why we prepare the ground so carefully, and where all that paperwork ultimately leads. I gained a taste for complex litigation.

Seven months later, I got to do my own trial in deceit – but this time in Middlesbrough, rather than on the Strand (and for a much, much lower sum). I tried out the techniques – and the same opening questions – I’d seen in the High Court. Watching the defendants trip and fall in their own deceit was an exhilarating early experience.

What is the thing in your professional career that has terrified you or taken you out of your comfort zone the most?

Sitting with a client who attempted suicide after hand-down of a judgment, which had been delivered remotely, waiting for an ambulance to arrive: I was hundreds of miles away and on the other side of a video connection. Nothing in my training or my experience had prepared me for this. It was a situation that could not have arisen in a physical court (and if it had, there would have been other people around to provide assistance and support). It brought home to me the risks of remote justice.

We often don’t recognise that issues around vulnerability can arise in civil and commercial litigation (as they do in crime, or family). But it can have similarly life-changing consequences. Sometimes these are obvious – personal or professional disgrace, bankruptcy – but not always. All barristers should have mandatory training, prior to pupillage, on handling vulnerable clients and witnesses.

What’s the wisest thing that any one has ever said to you (and who said it)?

“Turn the light off and go to sleep.” My partner, repeatedly. Most problems – including legal problems – are resolved better for getting enough rest.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to get to where you are/do the job you do?

Enjoy your cases. It is an enormous privilege to do this job. It is interesting, varied, intellectually rewarding and the work you do matters. If you don’t find it a privilege then do something else. There are easier and less stressful ways of earning a living.

Do the pro bono cases: they are often the most interesting, and they can lead to fabulous opportunities (including paid opportunities). I did work for the International Senior Lawyers’ Project, which led to travel to Africa to give training through the Media Institute of Southern Africa, which in turn led to travel to Kosovo, to give training through the Council of Europe. But be selective about who and what you take on, and why. Your time is precious and once it’s gone, you can’t get it back.

Take the time to foster friendships with your colleagues. Not because having a network will help you get opportunities, but because it will broaden and enrich your life considerably if you do.