Lydia Reed – My First Month of Civil Law Pupillage at Parklane Plowden Chambers

I have had a fascinating first month of my pupillage under the supervision of Hylton Armstrong. I have had the opportunity to observe quite a wide range of personal injury and clinical negligence work. My time has generally been spent conducting legal research, observing conferences, drafting paperwork, attending court, and going to a various events. 

Examples include attending an application to amend a defence to plead fundamental dishonesty with Corin Furness, observing a three-day long public liability trial in Manchester with James Murphy, going to Hudgell Solicitor’s Clinical Negligence Conference on women’s health in York, listening to a Leeds Medico-Legal Society talk by Anna Datta on expert evidence, and being a part of my first North-Eastern Circuit’s Grand Court dinner.   

Over the last month I have learned how barristers approach situations differently in terms of their oral submissions and written styles, and how they manage time effectively. I have also seen how barristers are able to reframe arguments and explain complex legal analysis in clear language.

The highlight of my month was probably attending an approval hearing before Mrs Justice Foster at the Royal Courts of Justice in London with Howard Elgot and Abigail Telford. They acted on behalf the Claimant in the case of HTR v Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust which eventually settled for over £20m in damages shortly before the quantum trial. I was able to see the relationship between Leading and Junior Counsel and how these roles differ. I also witnessed the real-life impact of long-running litigation on families who are affected by serious instances of clinical negligence.

More recently I even got to attend Wakefield Coroners’ Court for my first noting brief. Noting briefs are the only types of cases first six pupils can accept instructions on, and it meant that I was able to witness the inquest up close and get a glimpse of what to expect in second six and beyond.

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed my first month of pupillage, and have especially enjoyed meeting lots of members, all the staff, my co-pupils, and all the other pupils on circuit.