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I’m inspired by Suella Braverman implying that juniors should jump at the chance of any scrap of work, at any time of day.
It reminds me of my favourite story when I was new and jumping for joy at the work-till-you-drop culture of the bar...
Hold tight. This is my Bodmin Story.
It reminds me of my favourite story when I was new and jumping for joy at the work-till-you-drop culture of the bar...
Hold tight. This is my Bodmin Story.
About 9 years ago I got sent a case. The fee was about £50. It was in (beautiful) Bodmin.
I did not live in Bodmin. I lived in East London.
But it was quite a serious case and - you’ve got to, you know, jump for joy and all that. It was the next day.
It was 5 hours each way.
I did not live in Bodmin. I lived in East London.
But it was quite a serious case and - you’ve got to, you know, jump for joy and all that. It was the next day.
It was 5 hours each way.
I set off that night. I had only a few hours before the Last Train to Bodmin.
The only hotel I could afford was miles away from Actual Bodmin but I would worry about that when I arrived. I was very busy pursuing this Excellent Opportunity.
The only hotel I could afford was miles away from Actual Bodmin but I would worry about that when I arrived. I was very busy pursuing this Excellent Opportunity.
The train was quiet but I proudly told a travelling sports team (OI OI OI) that I was a barrister on a very important 20 minute case involving a two day round trip. They looked sceptical at my career choice. But what did they know?
The Last Train to Bodmin gets in late. The station didn’t have any taxis as you had to pre book. It was very dark and no buses. I saw a taxi all lit up with hope and asked him if he would take me.
“Booked love”, he said, gesturing at Organised Family on Holiday. I nearly wept.
“Booked love”, he said, gesturing at Organised Family on Holiday. I nearly wept.
Organised Family on Holiday took pity on me and OFFERED TO SHARE THEIR CAB.
There I was. Squashed in the backseat with mum and their child who had an inflatable crocodile. They’re off on holiday.
“It’s all so lovely round here, where are you off to?”
“The Magistrates’ Court”.
There I was. Squashed in the backseat with mum and their child who had an inflatable crocodile. They’re off on holiday.
“It’s all so lovely round here, where are you off to?”
“The Magistrates’ Court”.
They dropped me off at my budget hotel first. Then. Disaster. I HADNT PRINTED BLANK LEGAL AID FORMS.
You’re not going to get your precious £50 for an 18 hour round trip without those are you, you absolute champion.
You’re not going to get your precious £50 for an 18 hour round trip without those are you, you absolute champion.
I’m not sure what the receptionist made of me, arriving in the dead of night and asking her to print my “business document” as the words CRIMINAL LEGAL AID FORM pumped out the hotel printer - but she kept her distance.
Slept really well, thanks. Jumped up in the morning. Time to earn my £50.
Shower time! Seize the day!
Pulled the shower chord. Nothing. Pulled it again. Yanked it. No water.
It’s the emergency assistance chord.
Shower time! Seize the day!
Pulled the shower chord. Nothing. Pulled it again. Yanked it. No water.
It’s the emergency assistance chord.
Cue burly security and hotel manager pounding on my door to rescue me - me, the criminal-form-printing-woman, in the shower screaming “NO NO I THOUGHT IT WAS THE SHOWER PULLY THING DONT COME IN” through the door.
I checked out quietly.
I checked out quietly.
The Magistrates of Bodmin had no idea of my 5 hour journey, my shared holiday taxi with the crocodile, my near-miss shower or my printer drama. They had no idea I was getting about £50 for this.
But there I was. Jumping for work. Just like Suella Braverman says juniors should.
But there I was. Jumping for work. Just like Suella Braverman says juniors should.
After Bodmin came Carlisle. Nottingham. Ipswich. Then the London Riots where I went to court all night long.
I never forgot to print a legal aid form again. But I also never forgot the feeling of working until my eyes were swollen and having an empty bank account to show for it.
I never forgot to print a legal aid form again. But I also never forgot the feeling of working until my eyes were swollen and having an empty bank account to show for it.
I kept jumping and jumping but I was sinking. I worked six days a week. My student loan loomed over long, exhausting, relentless days. It would be years before it got better.
Maybe Suella Braverman recalls her time differently. But to those working hard - you’re doing enough.
Maybe Suella Braverman recalls her time differently. But to those working hard - you’re doing enough.
