PI Brief Update

Manners

“How’s Claire, BabyB?” It was OldRuin back in chambers again. “I’ve always had a soft spot for her, you know. Very fond of you she is, I’d say.”
“She’s very well, OldRuin. Building up a pretty successful practise as well.”
‘”Yes, I’ve no doubt about that. You know what stands out about her?”
“What’s that?”
“Impeccable manners, BabyB. Understated, modest and kind. I might sound old-fashioned when I say this but in my view it’s the key to success at the bar. With solicitors, with clients and above all with judges.”  He mused a little and then continued: “Many’s the time that I’ve had an opponent who I have to admit that I found more than a little irritating. But if he wanted to interrupt my submission in front of the judge then I would always give way. You know, the arrogant and rude will always stab themselves in the foot so long as you let them.  Hoisted up on their own petards.”

Then he did what he has often done in the past and alluded to knowing far more than he was letting on. “Let me take your former colleague TopFirst as a counter example to Claire. Even if he’d applied for tenancy at this chambers, he would never have been taken on.” He paused and gave one of his kindly looks again. “She’s a bright lady, our Claire. Got a lot to teach us all, BabyB.”

BabyBarista is a fictional account of a junior barrister written by Tim Kevan. You can buy the latest BabyBarista novel, 'Law and Peace' on Amazon. The cartoons are by Alex Williams, author of The Queen's Counsel Lawyer's Omnibus.