Returning to St Andrews

St Salvator's College, St Andrews
© 2018 Jane Elizabeth Lambert:  All rights reserved:

 














It is often forgotten that law was once taught at St Andrews though not always in the town itself. St Andrews lost its law school in 1967 when Queen's College in Dundee became a separate university. Many St Andreans continued to make their way to the law after 1967 but they obtained their legal education elsewhere.

In 2015. an Institute of Legal and Constitutional Research was established at St Andrews.  According to its website, it is "the home of outstanding cross-disciplinary research in the fields of law, legal history and constitutionalism."  The Institute's website also states that the University is home to a vibrant student law society.  I visited that society's website and noticed that its partners included several leading law firms but no English or Welsh chambers or Scottish stables.  Curious as to why that should be, I contacted the society. I learned that it had more luck in reaching and partnering with law firms as opposed to chambers.  The head of events indicated that members of the society would welcome a talk on entering the English and Welsh bar.  He told me that the society had a slot on 15 Feb 2023 and invited me to fill it.  I was delighted to do so.  I shall be speaking on that day in School VI at St Salvator's College from 18:00 to 19:00.

I propose to begin my talk by explaining what a barrister is and what exactly he or she does. That will require some background on the English legal system and the work of the other legal professions.  I shall mention the Bar Council, the Bar Standards Board, the Inns of Court, chambers and the Circuits.  As I practise intellectual property law, I shall discuss the opportunities in IP, Tax and other specialist work. That is where the rigour of a St Andrews education is particularly advantageous.  I will trace the various routes to qualifying for the bar, mini-pupillages and how to get them, full pupillages, the role of clerks and their importance, competition for tenancies and opportunities outside the bar for those who are unable to find a seat or build a practice. I will say a few words about working in London and outside with a particular mention of Wales. Finally, I will explore the opportunities for advancement at the bar, how to be noticed, taking silk, judicial office, international work, arbitration, mediation and other forms of ADR.

The day after my talk I hope to do something very different.  I learnt my first pliés and tendus at the St Andrews Dance Soc of which I was a founder member (see Ballet at University 27 Feb 2017 Terpsichore).  According to the Dance page of the University website, there will be a beginners' ballet class between 17:00 and 18:00 at Victory Memorial Hall.  I shall require all my powers of advocacy to persuade the teacher to allow me to resume my place at the barre after so many years.  I am a lot less fit and supple than I was then.  But I still attend class in Leeds and Manchester. I shall report at the appointed time and place with my leotard, shoes and rights just in case she lets me train.

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