Georgia Banks: My First Month of Civil Pupillage at Parklane Plowden
When I started on 1st October, it felt like an age had passed since I was offered pupillage back in May 2023. In contrast, my first month at Parklane Plowden has passed by in a flash.
Under the supervision of Jim Hester, I have observed a range of client conferences, a joint settlement meeting and interim application hearings from his busy and interesting industrial disease and personal injury practice. Prior to each conference or hearing, I have considered the case papers, assessed the facts and law and made my own judgement on the case. Discussing the case with Jim before or after the attendance has helped build my understanding and knowledge of often complicated industrial disease concepts such as noise-induced hearing loss claims.
Alongside court-based or client-facing work with Jim, I have been developing my written advocacy skills by drafting pleadings and advices on quantum or liability. This has exposed me to the differences in approach between members of Chambers and has afforded me the opportunity to experiment with my own style in turn. It has also helped me to understand the wide range of personal injury work in Chambers and the type of instructions I am likely to receive when on my feet in 5 months’ time.
I have also been fortunate to shadow other members of Chambers over my first month. I have attended two fast-track trials with Andrew Crouch, as well as application hearings with Bharat Jangra and Robert Dunn and a pre-inquest review hearing with Peter Yates. Observing these varieties of hearing has shown me that an important aspect of the Bar involves adapting advocacy style to the relevant forum and audience in order to meet the needs and objectives of your client, whatever they may be.
It has also been interesting to observe different approaches to witness handling and how the outcome of a case can turn on an effective cross-examination. I witnessed one particularly pertinent example of this while shadowing Nicola Twine at Leeds County Court, where Nicola’s meticulous approach to cross-examination assisted her in obtaining a finding of fundamental dishonesty against a Claimant seeking damages for injuries sustained in a road traffic accident. It was also an important lesson in how to react and adapt to the unexpected when cross-examining.
Overall, I have really enjoyed my first month in Chambers. Alongside all of the hard work has been some excellent opportunities to get to know members of Chambers and staff, as well as other pupils and barristers on the North East Circuit. Everyone has been so welcoming and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead in the months to come!
